CN115398811B

CN115398811B - Switching device, communication method and related equipment

Info

Publication number: CN115398811B
Application number: CN202180005197.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吕清; 史坡; 邱丹; 荆伟涛; 邹俊浩
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-03-24
Filing date: 2021-03-24
Publication date: 2023-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2041-03-24
Also published as: WO2022198513A1; CN115398811A

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a switching device, a communication method and related equipment, wherein the switching device comprises N+X first ports, K+N second ports and N combiners; the K second ports are respectively connected with the K antennas one by one; the N second ports are respectively connected with the first input ends of the N combiners one by one; the output ends of the N combiners are respectively connected with the N first ports one by one; the switching device is used for: turning on the ith first port in the N first ports and the jth second port in the K second ports, and transmitting a first type signal through the jth antenna; when the second type signal needs to be transmitted through the j-th antenna, the s-th first port in the X first ports is conducted with the i-th second port in the N second ports, and the second type signal is transmitted through the j-th antenna. The embodiment of the application can reduce the circuit area and the manufacturing cost under the condition of realizing antenna switching and normal operation.

Description

Switching device, communication method and related equipment

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to the technical field of communication, in particular to a switching device, a communication method and related equipment.

Background

Firstly, in order to solve the "dead hold" problem of the mobile phone terminal, the transmitting antenna selection (transmit antenna selection, TAS) technology is widely used nowadays, but with more and more application scenes such as a horizontal screen game and a video, the probability that a user uses the horizontal screen of the mobile phone is also higher and higher, so that the original upper and lower antennas of the mobile phone are both "held" by the hands of the user, thereby seriously affecting the use experience of the user. Therefore, referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-antenna switching circuit of LTE, as shown in fig. 1, the multi-antenna selection (multi antenna selection, MAS) technology further increases two left and right antennas on the basis of two upper and lower antennas, so that transmission of a main diversity signal of long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) can be selected among a lower left antenna (ANT 0), a lower right antenna (ANT 2), an upper left antenna (ANT 1) and an upper right antenna (ANT 3), thereby reducing the probability of the antennas being held by a user and ensuring the use experience of the user. Then, referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a multi-antenna switching circuit of NR, as shown in fig. 2, in general, a new air interface (NR) of a mobile terminal needs to support one channel of sounding reference signals (sounding reference signal, SRS) transmitted with four channels of reception (1 transmit 4 receiver,1T4R), that is, SRS signals need to be transmitted alternately on 4 antennas (such as ANT4, ANT5, ANT6, and ANT7 shown in fig. 2), so that a base station can perform quality estimation on a downlink channel of the mobile terminal through the SRS signals.

As described above, in the case where transmission of the LTE main diversity signal needs to achieve switching between 4 antennas, and the SRS signal of NR needs to achieve alternate transmission between 4 antennas, a total of 8 physical antennas are required. Therefore, in order to reduce the number of antennas and reduce the production cost, a scheme in which LTE and NR share 4 antennas is mostly adopted. However, in the existing antenna sharing technology of LTE and NR, although the number of antennas is directly reduced by half, in order to ensure normal operation when both LTE and NR perform antenna switching, more additional components are added, and instead, the circuit layout area and manufacturing cost are increased, which is in great contradiction with the purpose of providing a shared antenna scheme originally.

Therefore, how to ensure the common antenna of LTE and NR, and to realize reasonable antenna switching and normal operation, further reduce the circuit layout area, and reduce the manufacturing cost is a problem to be solved.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a switching device, a communication method and related equipment, which can further reduce the circuit layout area and the manufacturing cost under the condition of realizing antenna switching and normal operation.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a switching device, which is applied to a communication device, where the communication device includes an antenna system, and the antenna system includes K antennas; the switching device comprises N+X first ports, K+N second ports and N combiners; wherein, K second ports in the K+N second ports are respectively connected with the K antennas one by one; n second ports in the K+N second ports are respectively connected with the first input ends of the N combiners one by one; the output ends of the N combiners are respectively connected with N first ports in the N+X first ports one by one; n, X, K is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the switching device is used for: turning on the ith first port in the N first ports and the jth second port in the K second ports, and transmitting a first type signal through the corresponding jth antenna; i is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N, j is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to K; when a second type signal needs to be transmitted through the j-th antenna, an s-th first port of the X first ports and an i-th second port of the N second ports are conducted, and the s-th first port is conducted to the j-th second port through an i-th combiner connected with the i-th second port and the i-th first port connected with the i-th combiner, and the second type signal is transmitted through the j-th antenna; s is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to X.

In an embodiment of the present application, a switching device is provided, which includes a plurality of first ports, a plurality of second ports, and a plurality of combiners. Wherein a portion of the first ports are used to transmit first type signals (e.g., LTE primary set transmit signals, LTE primary set receive signals, and LTE diversity receive signals), and the remaining portion of the first ports are used to transmit second type signals (e.g., NR primary set transmit signals, NR primary set receive signals, and NR diversity receive signals). And part of the second ports in the plurality of second ports can be connected with the plurality of antennas one by one, and the rest of the second ports can be connected with the part of the first ports for transmitting the first type signals one by one through a combiner. In this way, for example, the first port for transmitting the first type of signal and the second port connected to the first antenna may be turned on by the switching device, so that the first type of signal may be transmitted through the first antenna. If the second type signal needs to be transmitted through the first antenna, the first port for transmitting the second type signal and the corresponding second port, that is, the second port connected to the first port for transmitting the first type signal through the combiner, may be turned on through the switching device, so that the first port for transmitting the second type signal may be indirectly turned on to the second port connected to the first antenna when the first port and the second port connected to the first antenna are turned on, and the second type signal may also be transmitted through the first antenna. Compared with the prior art, the scheme ensures that two types of signals share one antenna system, namely, under the condition of reducing the number of antennas, both sides can select any antenna in the shared antenna system to transmit signals, so that when the first type of signals occupy the antennas to transmit, the second type of signals can select the same antenna to transmit according to actual requirements through the switching device, one side does not occupy the antennas and interrupt the transmission of the other side, interference does not exist between the two sides, and the number of the combiner is further reduced, thereby reducing the circuit layout area and the production cost.

In one possible embodiment, the switching device is further configured to: when the second type signal needs to be transmitted through a j ' th antenna, the s first port of the X first ports and the j ' th second port of the K second ports are conducted, and the second type signal is transmitted through the corresponding j ' th antenna; j 'is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to K, and j is not equal to j'.

In the embodiment of the application, when the first type signal occupies the antenna for transmission, if the second type signal needs to be transmitted through other antennas, the second port connected with the other antennas of the first port for transmitting the second type signal can be conducted through the switching device, so that the first signal can be transmitted through the other antennas. Thus, in combination with the content of the first aspect, the embodiment of the application can meet the requirement that when the first type of signals occupy the antenna for transmission, the second type of signals can select the same antenna or other antennas for transmission through the switching device according to actual requirements, the two types of signals can share one antenna system for transmission, the two types of signals select the antennas and are transmitted without interference, the transmission of the other party cannot be interrupted because one party occupies the antenna, the performance of signal transmission is improved, and the use experience of a user is ensured.

In one possible embodiment, the switching device comprises a first double pole double throw switch DPDT, a second DPDT, a third DPDT and a double pole four throw switch DP4T; the N first ports comprise two P ports of the first DPDT; the X first ports include two P ports in the DP4T; the K second ports include two T ports in the second DPDT and two T ports in the third DPDT; the N second ports include two T ports in the DP 4T.

In the embodiment of the application, the switching device specifically can comprise 3 double-pole double-throw switches, 1 double-pole four-throw switch and a plurality of combiners. Therefore, the embodiment of the application can realize that two types of signals share the same antenna system through a simple switching device, and further reduces the circuit area and the production cost under the condition of ensuring that the two types of signals select the antennas to transmit and do not interfere with each other, thereby meeting the actual production and use requirements.

In one possible implementation manner, each of the first DPDT, the second DPDT and the third DPDT includes a first P port, a second P port, a first T port and a second T port; the DP4T comprises a first P port, a second P port, a first T port, a second T port, a third T port and a fourth T port;

A first T port of the first DPDT is connected with a first P port of the second DPDT; a first T port of the second DPDT is connected with a first antenna of the K antennas; the second T port of the first DPDT is connected with the first P port of the third DPDT; a first T port of the third DPDT is connected with a second antenna of the K antennas; a second T port of the DP4T is connected with a second P port of the second DPDT; a second T port of the second DPDT is connected with a third antenna of the K antennas; a third T port of the DP4T is connected with a second P port of the third DPDT; and a second T port of the third DPDT is connected with a fourth antenna in the K antennas.

In the embodiment of the application, the corresponding ports in the existing double-pole double-throw switch and the double-pole four-throw switch can be connected with 4 antennas in the antenna system, so that the first type signals and the second type signals can be transmitted by selecting the antennas according to the conduction condition between the ports in the switches. Therefore, the embodiment of the application can further ensure that the first type signal and the second type signal can select any antenna in the shared antenna system for signal transmission without interference on each other on the premise of ensuring that the first type signal and the second type signal share one antenna system and greatly reducing the number of antennas.

In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a radio frequency circuit including a first type of circuit and a second type of circuit; the first type of circuit comprises a first main set transmitting circuit, a first main set receiving circuit and a first diversity receiving circuit; the second class of circuits comprises a second main set transmitting circuit, a second main set receiving circuit and a second sub set receiving circuit; the N combiners comprise a first combiner and a second combiner; the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the second input end of the first combiner; the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are connected with the second input end of the second combiner; the second diversity receiving circuit is connected with a first P port of the DP 4T; the second main set transmitting circuit and the second main set receiving circuit are connected with a second P port of the DP 4T.

In an embodiment of the present application, the communication device may further include a radio frequency circuit, where the radio frequency circuit may specifically include an LTE main set transmitting circuit (e.g., a first main set transmitting circuit), an LTE main set receiving circuit (e.g., a first main set receiving circuit), and an LTE diversity receiving circuit (e.g., a first diversity receiving circuit), and an NR main set transmitting circuit (e.g., a second main set transmitting circuit), an NR main set receiving circuit (e.g., a second main set receiving circuit), and an NR diversity receiving circuit (e.g., a second diversity receiving circuit). And the circuits are respectively connected with corresponding ports in the double-pole double-throw switch and the double-pole four-throw switch, so that an LTE system and an NR system can share one antenna system, an LTE controller in the LTE system can select an antenna in the antenna system to transmit signals through the switches, and an NR controller in the NR system can alternately transmit SRS signals and receive corresponding signals on a plurality of antennas of the antenna system. Meanwhile, the antenna switching of LTE and SRS round trip of NR are not interfered with each other through the two combiners, so that the use experience of a user is ensured.

In one possible implementation, the first type of signal includes a first main set transmit signal, a first main set receive signal, and a first diversity receive signal; the second class of signals comprises a second main set transmitting signal, a second main set receiving signal and a second diversity receiving signal; the first input ends of the first combiner and the second combiner are high-frequency ends, and the second input ends of the first combiner and the second combiner are low-frequency ends.

In the embodiment of the present application, the first type of signals may include an LTE main set transmission signal, an LTE main set reception signal, and an LTE diversity reception signal, and the second type of signals may include, for example, an NR main set transmission signal, an NR main set reception signal, and an NR diversity reception signal. The LTE main set transmission signal (for example, SRS signal), the LTE main set reception signal, and the LTE diversity reception signal may pass through a low frequency end of the combiner, and the NR main set transmission signal, the NR main set reception signal, and the NR diversity reception signal may pass through a high frequency end of the combiner. Therefore, the embodiment of the application can realize that the signal transmission of LTE and the SRS round transmission of NR share one antenna system, and the two combiners are arranged so as to ensure that the two combiners are not mutually interfered, thereby ensuring the use experience of users.

In one possible embodiment, the switching device further comprises: a first single pole double throw switch SPDT and a second SPDT; the first SPDT and the second SPDT comprise P ports, a first T port and a second T port; wherein a first T port of the DP4T is connected with a first T port of the first SPDT; the P port of the first SPDT is connected with the first input end of the first combiner; the output end of the first combiner is connected with a first P port of the first DPDT; a fourth T port of the DP4T is connected with a first T port of the second SPDT; the P port of the second SPDT is connected with the first input end of the second combiner; and the output end of the second combiner is connected with a second P port of the first DPDT.

In the embodiment of the present application, the switching device may further include 2 single-pole double-throw switches, where the 2 single-pole double-throw switches are respectively used to connect corresponding ports in the two combiners and the double-pole double-throw switch, so that when the first type signal is being transmitted by occupying the antenna, if the second type signal needs to be transmitted by the same antenna at this time, the second type signal may be conducted to the same antenna by conducting the corresponding ports in the double-pole double-throw switch and the single-pole double-throw switch, and conducting lines of the first type signal and conducting the second type signal via the combiners connected with the ports. Therefore, the embodiment of the application can realize that the first type signal and the second type signal can select any antenna in the shared antenna system for signal transmission, have no interference with each other, and reduce the number of the combiner, thereby reducing the circuit layout area and the production cost.

In one possible embodiment, the switching device is specifically configured to: controlling a first P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a second P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, a first P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, a second P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the second T port, a first P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, and a second P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the second T port; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the first antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the second antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the third antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the fourth antenna; the first main set transmitting circuit is used for transmitting the first main set transmitting signal through the first antenna; the first main set receiving circuit is configured to receive the first main set receiving signal through the first antenna; the first diversity receiving circuit is configured to receive the first diversity receiving signal through the second antenna.

In the embodiment of the application, the first main set transmitting circuit, the first main set receiving circuit and the first diversity receiving circuit are respectively connected with the corresponding antennas through the respective conducting states of the three double-pole double-throw switches, so that corresponding signals are respectively transmitted and received through the corresponding antennas. For example, when the first DPDT is controlled to be in a cross conduction state (e.g., a first P port in the first DPDT is conducted with a second T port and the second P port is conducted with the first T port), the second DPDT is controlled to be in a through state (e.g., the first P port in the second DPDT is conducted with the first T port and the second P port is conducted with the second T port), and the third DPDT is controlled to be in a through state (e.g., the first P port in the third DPDT is conducted with the first T port and the second P port is conducted with the second T port), the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit may be connected to the first antenna, and the first diversity receiving circuit may be connected to the second antenna based on the connection relationship among the above switches, antennas and circuits. Thus, the embodiment of the application can realize antenna selection and transmission of the first type signals in the plurality of antennas by connecting a plurality of simple switches between the radio frequency circuit and the antennas and controlling the conduction state of each switch.

In one possible embodiment, the switching device is specifically configured to: controlling a first P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a second P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, a first P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, a second P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the second T port, a first P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the second T port, and a second P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the first T port; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the first antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the fourth antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the third antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the second antenna; the first main set transmitting circuit is used for transmitting the first main set transmitting signal through the first antenna;

the first main set receiving circuit is configured to receive the first main set receiving signal through the first antenna; the first diversity receiving circuit is configured to receive the first diversity receiving signal through the fourth antenna.

In the embodiment of the application, the first main set transmitting circuit, the first main set receiving circuit and the first diversity receiving circuit are respectively connected with the corresponding antennas through the respective conducting states of the three double-pole double-throw switches, so that corresponding signals are respectively transmitted and received through the corresponding antennas. For example, when the first DPDT is controlled to be in the cross conduction state, the second DPDT is controlled to be in the through state, and the third DPDT is controlled to be in the cross conduction state, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit may be connected to the first antenna, and the first diversity receiving circuit may be connected to the fourth antenna based on the connection relationship among the above-described respective switches, antennas, and circuits. Thus, the embodiment of the application can realize antenna selection and transmission of the first type signals in the plurality of antennas by connecting a plurality of simple switches between the radio frequency circuit and the antennas and controlling the conduction state of each switch.

In one possible embodiment, the switching device is specifically configured to: controlling a first P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a first T port, a second P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a first P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, a second P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the second T port, a first P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, and a second P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the second T port; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the second antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the first antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the third antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the fourth antenna; the first main set transmitting circuit is used for transmitting the first main set transmitting signal through the second antenna; the first main set receiving circuit is used for receiving the first main set receiving signal through the second antenna; the first diversity receiving circuit is configured to receive the first diversity receiving signal through the first antenna.

In the embodiment of the application, the first main set transmitting circuit, the first main set receiving circuit and the first diversity receiving circuit are respectively connected with the corresponding antennas through the respective conducting states of the three double-pole double-throw switches, so that corresponding signals are respectively transmitted and received through the corresponding antennas. For example, when the first DPDT is controlled to be in the through state, the second DPDT is controlled to be in the through state, and the third DPDT is controlled to be in the through state, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit may be connected to the second antenna, and the first diversity receiving circuit may be connected to the first antenna, based on the connection relationship among the respective switches, the antennas, and the circuits described above. Thus, the embodiment of the application can realize antenna selection and transmission of the first type signals in the plurality of antennas by connecting a plurality of simple switches between the radio frequency circuit and the antennas and controlling the conduction state of each switch.

In one possible embodiment, the switching device is specifically configured to: controlling a first P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a first T port, a second P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a first P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a second P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with a first T port, a first P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with a first T port, and a second P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with a second T port; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the second antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the third antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the first antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the fourth antenna; the first main set transmitting circuit is used for transmitting the first main set transmitting signal through the second antenna; the first main set receiving circuit is used for receiving the first main set receiving signal through the second antenna; the first diversity receiving circuit is configured to receive the first diversity receiving signal through the third antenna.

In the embodiment of the application, the first main set transmitting circuit, the first main set receiving circuit and the first diversity receiving circuit are respectively connected with the corresponding antennas through the respective conducting states of the three double-pole double-throw switches, so that corresponding signals are respectively transmitted and received through the corresponding antennas. For example, when the first DPDT is controlled to be in a through state, the second DPDT is controlled to be in a cross conduction state, and the third DPDT is controlled to be in a through state, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit may be connected to the second antenna, and the first diversity receiving circuit may be connected to the third antenna based on the connection relationship among the respective switches, the antennas, and the circuits. Thus, the embodiment of the application can realize antenna selection and transmission of the first type signals in the plurality of antennas by connecting a plurality of simple switches between the radio frequency circuit and the antennas and controlling the conduction state of each switch.

In one possible embodiment, the switching device is specifically configured to: controlling a first P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a second P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, a first P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the second T port, a second P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, a first P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, and a second P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the second T port; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the third antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the second antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the first antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the fourth antenna; the first main set transmitting circuit is used for transmitting the first main set transmitting signal through the third antenna; the first main set receiving circuit is configured to receive the first main set receiving signal through the third antenna; the first diversity receiving circuit is configured to receive the first diversity receiving signal through the second antenna.

In the embodiment of the application, the first main set transmitting circuit, the first main set receiving circuit and the first diversity receiving circuit are respectively connected with the corresponding antennas through the respective conducting states of the three double-pole double-throw switches, so that corresponding signals are respectively transmitted and received through the corresponding antennas. For example, when the first DPDT is controlled to be in the cross conduction state, the second DPDT is controlled to be in the cross conduction state, and the third DPDT is controlled to be in the through state, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit may be connected to the third antenna and the first diversity receiving circuit may be connected to the second antenna based on the connection relationship among the above-described respective switches, antennas, and circuits. Thus, the embodiment of the application can realize antenna selection and transmission of the first type signals in the plurality of antennas by connecting a plurality of simple switches between the radio frequency circuit and the antennas and controlling the conduction state of each switch.

In one possible embodiment, the switching device is specifically configured to: controlling a first P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a second P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, a first P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the second T port, a second P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, a first P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the second T port, and a second P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the first T port; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the third antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the fourth antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the first antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the second antenna; the first main set transmitting circuit is used for transmitting the first main set transmitting signal through the third antenna; the first main set receiving circuit is configured to receive the first main set receiving signal through the third antenna; the first diversity receiving circuit is configured to receive the first diversity receiving signal through the fourth antenna.

In the embodiment of the application, the first main set transmitting circuit, the first main set receiving circuit and the first diversity receiving circuit are respectively connected with the corresponding antennas through the respective conducting states of the three double-pole double-throw switches, so that corresponding signals are respectively transmitted and received through the corresponding antennas. For example, when the first DPDT is controlled to be in the cross conduction state, the second DPDT is controlled to be in the cross conduction state, and the third DPDT is controlled to be in the cross conduction state, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit may be connected to the third antenna and the first diversity receiving circuit may be connected to the fourth antenna based on the connection relationship among the respective switches, the antennas, and the circuits. Thus, the embodiment of the application can realize antenna selection and transmission of the first type signals in the plurality of antennas by connecting a plurality of simple switches between the radio frequency circuit and the antennas and controlling the conduction state of each switch.

In one possible embodiment, the switching device is specifically configured to: controlling a first P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a first T port, a second P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a first P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, a second P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the second T port, a first P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the second T port, and a second P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the first T port; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the fourth antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the first antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the third antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the second antenna; the first main set transmitting circuit is used for transmitting the first main set transmitting signal through the fourth antenna; the first main set receiving circuit is configured to receive the first main set receiving signal through the fourth antenna; the first diversity receiving circuit is configured to receive the first diversity receiving signal through the first antenna.

In the embodiment of the application, the first main set transmitting circuit, the first main set receiving circuit and the first diversity receiving circuit are respectively connected with the corresponding antennas through the respective conducting states of the three double-pole double-throw switches, so that corresponding signals are respectively transmitted and received through the corresponding antennas. For example, when the first DPDT is controlled to be in a through state, the second DPDT is controlled to be in a through state, and the third DPDT is controlled to be in a cross-on state, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit may be connected to the fourth antenna, and the first diversity receiving circuit may be connected to the first antenna, based on the connection relationship among the above-described respective switches, antennas, and circuits. Thus, the embodiment of the application can realize antenna selection and transmission of the first type signals in the plurality of antennas by connecting a plurality of simple switches between the radio frequency circuit and the antennas and controlling the conduction state of each switch.

In one possible embodiment, the switching device is specifically configured to: controlling a first P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a first T port, a second P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a first P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a second P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with a first T port, a first P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, and a second P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with a first T port; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the fourth antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the third antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the first antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the second antenna; the first main set transmitting circuit is used for transmitting the first main set transmitting signal through the fourth antenna; the first main set receiving circuit is configured to receive the first main set receiving signal through the fourth antenna; the first diversity receiving circuit is configured to receive the first diversity receiving signal through the third antenna.

In the embodiment of the application, the first main set transmitting circuit, the first main set receiving circuit and the first diversity receiving circuit are respectively connected with the corresponding antennas through the respective conducting states of the three double-pole double-throw switches, so that corresponding signals are respectively transmitted and received through the corresponding antennas. For example, when the first DPDT is controlled to be in a through state, the second DPDT is controlled to be in a cross conduction state, and the third DPDT is controlled to be in a cross conduction state, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit may be connected to the fourth antenna, and the first diversity receiving circuit may be connected to the third antenna based on the connection relationship among the above-described respective switches, antennas, and circuits. Thus, the embodiment of the application can realize antenna selection and transmission of the first type signals in the plurality of antennas by connecting a plurality of simple switches between the radio frequency circuit and the antennas and controlling the conduction state of each switch.

In one possible embodiment, K is equal to 4, said switching means being in particular for: when the second type of signal needs to be transmitted through the j-th antenna, if the j-th antenna is connected with the first diversity receiving circuit, controlling the P port of the first SPDT to be conducted with the first T port of the first SPDT, controlling the first P port of the DP4T to be conducted with the first T port of the DP4T, and connecting the second diversity receiving circuit to the j-th antenna; or, controlling a second P port of the DP4T to be conducted with a first T port of the DP4T, and connecting the second main set transmitting circuit and the second main set receiving circuit to the jth antenna; if the j-th antenna is connected with the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit, controlling the P port of the second SPDT to be conducted with the first T port of the second SPDT, controlling the first P port of the DP4T to be conducted with the fourth T port of the DP4T, and connecting the second diversity receiving circuit to the j-th antenna; or, controlling the second P port of the DP4T to be conducted with the fourth T port of the DP4T, and connecting the second main set transmitting circuit and the second main set receiving circuit to the jth antenna; the second main set transmitting circuit is used for transmitting the second main set transmitting signal through the j-th antenna; the second main set receiving circuit is used for receiving the second main set receiving signal through the j-th antenna; the second diversity receiving circuit is configured to receive the second diversity receiving signal through the jth antenna.

In the embodiment of the application, as described above, when the circuit corresponding to the first type of signal is connected with any antenna in the antenna system, if the second type of signal needs to be transmitted through the same antenna, the ports corresponding to the double-pole four-throw switch and the single-pole double-throw switch can be conducted, and the second type of signal is conducted to the same antenna for transmission through the conduction line of the combiner and the first type of signal. Therefore, when the LTE selects any antenna for signal transmission, the NR controller can be guaranteed to perform SRS round trip transmission on 4 antennas.

In one possible embodiment, K is equal to 4, said switching means being in particular for: when the second type of signals need to be transmitted through the j ' th antenna, if the j ' th antenna is connected with the second T port of the DP4T, controlling the first P port of the DP4T to be conducted with the second T port of the DP4T, and connecting the second diversity receiving circuit to the j ' th antenna; or, controlling a second P port of the DP4T to be conducted with a second T port of the DP4T, and connecting the second main set transmitting circuit and the second main set receiving circuit to the j' th antenna; if the j 'th antenna is connected with the third T port of the DP4T, controlling the first P port of the DP4T to be conducted with the third T port of the DP4T, and connecting the second diversity receiving circuit to the j' th antenna; or, controlling a second P port of the DP4T to be conducted with a third T port of the DP4T, and connecting the second main set transmitting circuit and the second main set receiving circuit to the j' th antenna; the second main set transmitting circuit is used for transmitting the second main set transmitting signal through the j' th antenna; the second main set receiving circuit is used for receiving the second main set receiving signal through the j' th antenna; the second diversity receiving circuit is configured to receive the second diversity receiving signal through the j' th antenna.

In the embodiment of the present application, as described above, when the circuit corresponding to the first type of signal is connected to any antenna in the antenna system, if the second type of signal needs to be transmitted through another antenna, the port connected to the corresponding double-pole double-throw switch in the double-pole four-throw switch may be turned on, where the corresponding double-pole double-throw switch is a double-pole double-throw switch connected to the other antenna, so that the second type of signal may be turned on to the other antenna for transmission. Therefore, when the LTE selects any antenna for signal transmission, the NR controller can be guaranteed to perform SRS round trip transmission on 4 antennas.

In a possible implementation manner, the K antennas are antennas supporting a long term evolution LTE band and a 5G new air interface NR band.

Correspondingly, the first main set transmitting circuit is an LTE main set transmitting circuit, the first main set receiving circuit is an LTE main set receiving circuit, and the first diversity receiving circuit is an LTE diversity receiving circuit; the second main set transmitting circuit is an NR main set transmitting circuit, the second main set receiving circuit is an NR main set receiving circuit, and the second diversity receiving circuit is an NR diversity receiving circuit; the first main set transmitting signal is an LTE main set transmitting signal, the first main set receiving signal is an LTE main set receiving signal, and the first diversity receiving signal is an LTE diversity receiving signal; the second main set transmission signal is an NR main set transmission signal (or sounding reference signal SRS), the second main set reception signal is an NR main set reception signal, and the second diversity reception signal is an NR diversity reception signal.

In the embodiment of the application, the plurality of antennas are all antennas supporting the LTE frequency band and the 5GNR frequency band, so that the LTE system and the NR system can share one antenna system, the LTE signal can be ensured to be subjected to antenna selection and transmission among the plurality of antennas, and the SRS of NR can be ensured to realize round trip among the plurality of antennas, thereby greatly reducing the number of the antennas and further reducing the circuit area and the production cost.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a communication device, where the communication device includes an antenna system and a switching device, and the antenna system includes K antennas; the switching device comprises N+X first ports, K+N second ports and N combiners; wherein, K second ports in the K+N second ports are respectively connected with the K antennas one by one; n second ports in the K+N second ports are respectively connected with the first input ends of the N combiners one by one; the output ends of the N combiners are respectively connected with N first ports in the N+X first ports one by one; n, X, K is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the method comprises the following steps: the j-th first port of the N first ports and the j-th second port of the K second ports are conducted through the switching device, and the first type of signals are transmitted through the corresponding j-th antenna; i is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N, j is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to K; when a second type signal needs to be transmitted through the j-th antenna, the switch device is used for conducting an s-th first port in the X-th first ports and an i-th second port in the N-th second ports, conducting the s-th first port to the j-th second port through an i-th combiner connected with the i-th second port and the i-th first port connected with the i-th combiner, and transmitting the second type signal through the j-th antenna; s is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to X.

In one possible embodiment, the method further comprises: when the second type signal needs to be transmitted through a j ' th antenna, the switch device is used for conducting the s first port in the X first ports and the j ' th second port in the K second ports, and transmitting the second type signal through the corresponding j ' th antenna; j 'is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to K, and j is not equal to j'.

In one possible implementation manner, each of the first DPDT, the second DPDT and the third DPDT includes a first P port, a second P port, a first T port and a second T port; the DP4T comprises a first P port, a second P port, a first T port, a second T port, a third T port and a fourth T port; a first T port of the first DPDT is connected with a first P port of the second DPDT; a first T port of the second DPDT is connected with a first antenna of the K antennas; the second T port of the first DPDT is connected with the first P port of the third DPDT; a first T port of the third DPDT is connected with a second antenna of the K antennas; a second T port of the DP4T is connected with a second P port of the second DPDT; a second T port of the second DPDT is connected with a third antenna of the K antennas; a third T port of the DP4T is connected with a second P port of the third DPDT; and a second T port of the third DPDT is connected with a fourth antenna in the K antennas.

In one possible implementation manner, the switching on, by the switching device, an ith first port of the N first ports and a jth second port of the K second ports, and transmitting a first type of signal through a corresponding jth antenna, includes: controlling, by the switching device, a first P-port of the first DPDT to be conductive to a second T-port, a second P-port of the first DPDT to be conductive to the first T-port, a first P-port of the second DPDT to be conductive to the first T-port, a second P-port of the second DPDT to be conductive to the second T-port, a first P-port of the third DPDT to be conductive to the first T-port, and a second P-port of the third DPDT to be conductive to the second T-port; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the first antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the second antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the third antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the fourth antenna; transmitting, by the first main set transmission circuit, the first main set transmission signal via the first antenna; receiving, by the first main set receiving circuit, the first main set received signal via the first antenna; the first diversity reception signal is received via the second antenna by the first diversity reception circuit.

In one possible implementation manner, the switching on, by the switching device, an ith first port of the N first ports and a jth second port of the K second ports, and transmitting a first type of signal through a corresponding jth antenna, includes: controlling, by the switching device, a first P-port of the first DPDT to be conductive to a second T-port, a second P-port of the first DPDT to be conductive to the first T-port, a first P-port of the second DPDT to be conductive to the first T-port, a second P-port of the second DPDT to be conductive to the second T-port, a first P-port of the third DPDT to be conductive to the second T-port, and a second P-port of the third DPDT to be conductive to the first T-port; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the first antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the fourth antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the third antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the second antenna; transmitting, by the first main set transmission circuit, the first main set transmission signal via the first antenna; receiving, by the first main set receiving circuit, the first main set received signal via the first antenna; the first diversity reception signal is received via the fourth antenna by the first diversity reception circuit.

In one possible implementation manner, the switching on, by the switching device, an ith first port of the N first ports and a jth second port of the K second ports, and transmitting a first type of signal through a corresponding jth antenna, includes: controlling a first P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a first T port, a second P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a first P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, a second P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the second T port, a first P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the first T port and a second P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the second T port through the switching device; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the second antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the first antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the third antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the fourth antenna; transmitting, by the first main set transmission circuit, the first main set transmission signal via the second antenna; receiving, by the first main set receiving circuit, the first main set received signal via the second antenna; the first diversity reception signal is received via the first antenna by the first diversity reception circuit.

In one possible implementation manner, the switching on, by the switching device, an ith first port of the N first ports and a jth second port of the K second ports, and transmitting a first type of signal through a corresponding jth antenna, includes: controlling a first P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a first T port, a second P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a first P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a second P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, a first P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the first T port and a second P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the second T port through the switching device; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the second antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the third antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the first antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the fourth antenna; transmitting, by the first main set transmission circuit, the first main set transmission signal via the second antenna; receiving, by the first main set receiving circuit, the first main set received signal via the second antenna; the first diversity reception signal is received via the third antenna by the first diversity reception circuit.

In one possible implementation manner, the switching on, by the switching device, an ith first port of the N first ports and a jth second port of the K second ports, and transmitting a first type of signal through a corresponding jth antenna, includes: controlling, by the switching device, a first P-port of the first DPDT to be conductive to a second T-port, a second P-port of the first DPDT to be conductive to the first T-port, a first P-port of the second DPDT to be conductive to the second T-port, a second P-port of the second DPDT to be conductive to the first T-port, a first P-port of the third DPDT to be conductive to the first T-port, and a second P-port of the third DPDT to be conductive to the second T-port; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the third antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the second antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the first antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the fourth antenna; transmitting, by the first main set transmission circuit, the first main set transmission signal via the third antenna; receiving, by the first main set receiving circuit, the first main set received signal via the third antenna; the first diversity reception signal is received via the second antenna by the first diversity reception circuit.

In one possible implementation manner, the switching on, by the switching device, an ith first port of the N first ports and a jth second port of the K second ports, and transmitting a first type of signal through a corresponding jth antenna, includes: controlling, by the switching device, a first P-port of the first DPDT to be conductive to a second T-port, a second P-port of the first DPDT to be conductive to the first T-port, a first P-port of the second DPDT to be conductive to the second T-port, a second P-port of the second DPDT to be conductive to the first T-port, a first P-port of the third DPDT to be conductive to the second T-port, and a second P-port of the third DPDT to be conductive to the first T-port; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the third antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the fourth antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the first antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the second antenna; transmitting, by the first main set transmission circuit, the first main set transmission signal via the third antenna; receiving, by the first main set receiving circuit, the first main set received signal via the third antenna; the first diversity reception signal is received via the fourth antenna by the first diversity reception circuit.

In one possible implementation manner, the switching on, by the switching device, an ith first port of the N first ports and a jth second port of the K second ports, and transmitting a first type of signal through a corresponding jth antenna, includes: controlling a first P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a first T port, a second P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a first P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, a second P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the second T port, a first P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the second T port and a second P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the first T port through the switching device; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the fourth antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the first antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the third antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the second antenna; transmitting, by the first main set transmission circuit, the first main set transmission signal via the fourth antenna; receiving, by the first main set receiving circuit, the first main set received signal via the fourth antenna; the first diversity reception signal is received via the first antenna by the first diversity reception circuit.

In one possible implementation manner, the switching on, by the switching device, an ith first port of the N first ports and a jth second port of the K second ports, and transmitting a first type of signal through a corresponding jth antenna, includes: controlling a first P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a first T port, a second P port in the first DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a first P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with a second T port, a second P port in the second DPDT to be conducted with the first T port, a first P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the second T port and a second P port in the third DPDT to be conducted with the first T port through the switching device; at this time, the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are respectively connected with the fourth antenna, the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the third antenna, the second T port in the DP4T is connected with the first antenna, and the third T port in the DP4T is connected with the second antenna; transmitting, by the first main set transmission circuit, the first main set transmission signal via the fourth antenna; receiving, by the first main set receiving circuit, the first main set received signal via the fourth antenna; the first diversity reception signal is received via the third antenna by the first diversity reception circuit.

In a possible embodiment, K is equal to 4; when a second type signal needs to be transmitted through the j-th antenna, the switching device turns on an s-th first port of the X first ports and an i-th second port of the N second ports, and the s-th first port is turned on to the j-th second port through an i-th combiner connected with the i-th second port and the i-th first port connected with the i-th combiner, and the second type signal is transmitted through the j-th antenna, including: when the second type signal needs to be transmitted through the j-th antenna, if the j-th antenna is connected with the first diversity receiving circuit, the switching device controls the P port of the first SPDT to be conducted with the first T port of the first SPDT, controls the first P port of the DP4T to be conducted with the first T port of the DP4T, and connects the second diversity receiving circuit to the j-th antenna; or, controlling a second P port of the DP4T to be conducted with a first T port of the DP4T, and connecting the second main set transmitting circuit and the second main set receiving circuit to the jth antenna; if the j-th antenna is connected with the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit, controlling the P port of the second SPDT to be conducted with the first T port of the second SPDT, controlling the first P port of the DP4T to be conducted with the fourth T port of the DP4T, and connecting the second diversity receiving circuit to the j-th antenna; or, controlling the second P port of the DP4T to be conducted with the fourth T port of the DP4T, and connecting the second main set transmitting circuit and the second main set receiving circuit to the jth antenna; transmitting, by the second main set transmission circuit, the second main set transmission signal via the j-th antenna; receiving, by the second main set receiving circuit, the second main set received signal via the j-th antenna; and receiving, by the second diversity receiving circuit, the second diversity receiving signal via the j-th antenna.

In a possible embodiment, K is equal to 4; when the second type signal needs to be transmitted through the j ' th antenna, the switching device switches on the s first port of the X first ports and the j ' th second port of the K second ports, and transmits the second type signal through the corresponding j ' th antenna, including: when the second type of signals need to be transmitted through the j ' th antenna through the switching device, if the j ' th antenna is connected with the second T port of the DP4T, the first P port of the DP4T is controlled to be conducted with the second T port of the DP4T, and the second diversity receiving circuit is connected to the j ' th antenna; or, controlling a second P port of the DP4T to be conducted with a second T port of the DP4T, and connecting the second main set transmitting circuit and the second main set receiving circuit to the j' th antenna; if the j 'th antenna is connected with the third T port of the DP4T, controlling the first P port of the DP4T to be conducted with the third T port of the DP4T, and connecting the second diversity receiving circuit to the j' th antenna; or, controlling a second P port of the DP4T to be conducted with a third T port of the DP4T, and connecting the second main set transmitting circuit and the second main set receiving circuit to the j' th antenna; transmitting, by the second main set transmission circuit, the second main set transmission signal via the j' th antenna; receiving, by the second main set receiving circuit, the second main set received signal via the j' th antenna; and receiving, by the second diversity receiving circuit, the second diversity receiving signal via the j' th antenna.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a switching apparatus, which is applied to a communication device, where the switching apparatus includes a first combiner, a second combiner, a first SPDT, a second SPDT, a first DPDT, a second DPDT, a third DPDT, and a uptt; the first combiner and the second combiner comprise a first input end, a second input end and an output end; the first SPDT and the second SPDT each comprise a P port and 2T ports; the first DPDT, the second DPDT and the third DPDT each include 2P ports and 2T ports; the UPVT comprises U P ports and V T ports, and U, V is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the P port of the first SPDT is connected with the first input end of the first combiner, and the output end of the first combiner is connected with the first P port of the first DPDT; the P port of the second SPDT is connected with the first input end of the second combiner, and the output end of the second combiner is connected with the second P port of the first DPDT; a first T port of the first DPDT is connected with a first P port of the second DPDT, and a second T port of the first DPDT is connected with a first P port of the third DPDT; the second P port of the second DPDT is connected with the second T port of the UPVT, and the second P port of the third DPDT is connected with the third T port of the UPVT; the first T-port of the UPVT is connected to the first T-port of the first SPDT, and the fourth T-port of the UPVT is connected to the first T-port of the second SPDT.

In one possible implementation, the communication device includes an antenna system including 4 antennas; wherein, a first T port of the second DPDT is connected with a first antenna; a first T port of the third DPDT is connected with a second antenna; a second T port of the second DPDT is connected with a third antenna; and a second T port of the third DPDT is connected with a fourth antenna.

In one possible implementation, the UPVT is DP4T, and the DP4T includes 2P ports and 4T ports.

In one possible implementation, the UPVT is 4P4T, the 4P4T including 4P ports and 4T ports; the switching device further comprises a DP4T, the DP4T comprising 2P ports and 4T ports; wherein a first P port of the DP4T is connected with a second T port of the first SPDT, and a second P port of the DP4T is connected with a second T port of the second SPDT.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a radio frequency system, which is applied to a communication device, where the radio frequency system may include a radio frequency circuit, an antenna system, and a switching device according to any one of the first aspect, and is configured to implement a function related to a communication method flow according to any one of the second aspect.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, where the communication device may include a radio frequency circuit, an antenna system, and a switching device according to any one of the first aspect, and is configured to implement a function related to a communication method flow according to any one of the second aspect.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, where the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device to implement the corresponding function in the communication method provided in the second aspect. The communication device may also include a memory for coupling with the processor, which holds the program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. The terminal device may also include a communication interface for the communication device to communicate with other devices or communication networks.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the communication method flow of any one of the second aspects above. Wherein the processor may be one or more processors.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method flow of any one of the second aspects above.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, where the chip system may include a switching device according to any one of the first aspect, for implementing a function related to a communication method flow according to any one of the second aspect. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the tuning method. The chip system can be composed of chips, and can also comprise chips and other discrete devices.

Drawings

In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following description will explain the drawings used in the embodiments of the present application or the background art.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-antenna switching circuit for LTE.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a NR multiple antenna switching circuit.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a typical allocation of terminal antennas.

Fig. 4a is a schematic circuit diagram of an LTE and NR common antenna.

Fig. 4b is an equivalent circuit schematic diagram of an LTE and NR common antenna according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 5a is a schematic circuit diagram of another LTE and NR common antenna.

Fig. 5b is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection in a switch state.

Fig. 5c is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection in another switching state.

Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 7 is a software structural block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a switching device 001 according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another switching device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 10 a-10 h are schematic diagrams of a set of antenna selection circuits according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 11 a-11 d are schematic circuit diagrams of a set of SRS transmission in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 12a is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 12b is a schematic diagram of another application scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of an equivalent circuit according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 14 a-14 d are schematic diagrams of antenna selection for a set of equivalent circuits according to embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another switching device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 16 is a schematic structural view of yet another switching device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 17 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" in the description and claims of the application and in the drawings, as well as "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc. are used for distinguishing between different objects and not for describing a particular sequential order. Also, the terms "tport" and "pport" in the description and claims of the present application are used merely to distinguish contacts on both sides of such switches as double pole four throw switches, double pole double throw switches or single pole double throw switches, and are not used to describe a particular port of a switch, and in some possible embodiments, "tport" may be referred to as "pport" and "pport" may also be referred to as "tport". Ports such as "a", "B", "C", "D", and "1", "2", "3", and "4" in the switches of the drawings are the same as the above, and will not be described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprise" and "have," as well as any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to only those listed steps or elements but may include other steps or elements not listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Those of skill in the art will explicitly and implicitly appreciate that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

As used in this specification, the terms "component," "module," "system," and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between 2 or more computers. Furthermore, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with one another in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the internet with other systems by way of the signal).

First, some terms in the present application will be explained in order to be understood by those skilled in the art.

(1) Multi-antenna selection (multi antenna selection, MAS) techniques. As shown in fig. 1, in order to avoid a situation that a user's antenna is "held" by the user when holding the mobile phone by the lateral screen, thereby affecting user experience, communication devices such as the mobile phone may be provided with 4 antennas, namely, a lower left antenna (ANT 0), a lower right antenna (ANT 2), an upper left antenna (ANT 1) and an upper right antenna (ANT 3), so that LTE main diversity signals may be selected between the 4 antennas through a double pole double throw switch (double pole double throw, DPDT) and a plurality of single pole double throw switches (single pole double throw, SPDT) as shown in fig. 1. For example, when a user performs a game on a horizontal screen, if the ANT1, ANT2 and ANT3 antennas are held by the hands of the user and have poor signals, an LTE main set Transmit (TX) signal can be transmitted through the ANT0 antenna with the better DPDT, SPDT1 and SPDT2 selection signals, so that the mobile phone can transmit data on the antenna with the best signal quality at any time, and the use experience of the user is improved.

(2) The sounding reference signal (sounding reference signal, SRS), or uplink sounding signal. Fifth generation mobile communication technology (5 th-generation, 5G) and the like support beamforming (beamforming) technology, which can direct transmissions to terminals. The base station firstly detects the position of the terminal, the quality of the transmission path and the like to ensure that the resources of the base station are more accurately distributed to each terminal. The terminal transmits the SRS signal, which is one of the ways for the base station to detect the terminal location and channel quality.

Among them, as described above, the functions of SRS may simply include the following points:

a. the method is used for estimating the quality of an uplink channel, and is used for uplink scheduling, uplink synchronization (TA), uplink speed management and the like.

b. In case of reciprocal of uplink and downlink channels in time division duplexing (time division duplexing, TDD), the channel symmetry is used to estimate the downlink channel quality, such as weight calculation in a downlink multiple input multiple output antenna system (multi input multi output, MIMO). The MIMO technology refers to using a plurality of transmitting antennas and receiving antennas at a transmitting end and a receiving end, respectively, so that signals are transmitted and received through the plurality of antennas at the transmitting end and the receiving end, thereby improving communication quality, and the like, and will not be described in detail herein.

In order to realize the above functions, firstly, SRS round transmission is to be realized, where the SRS round transmission refers to that the terminal sends SRS signals on different physical antennas in turn. The SRS capabilities defined by the current protocol are mainly three of 1t2R,1t4R and 2T 4R. As such, SRS carousel requires hardware mainly to switch the transmitted signal on different antennas. The more antennas that can participate in transmitting SRS signals, the more accurate the channel estimation is, and the higher the rate that can be obtained is; if the antenna is only transmitting at a fixed antenna, other antenna information is lost, the antenna is not fully utilized, and the highest rate is difficult to obtain.

The 5G terminals are generally provided with a plurality of receiving and transmitting antennas, and currently mainstream 5G mobile phones, customer premise equipment (customer premise equipment, CPE) and the like all adopt 2 transmitting antennas and 4 receiving antennas (namely 2T 4R). If the channel information is reported by the antennas of the 5G terminal in turn (namely SRS round trip), the information acquired by the base station can be more comprehensive, and more accurate data transmission can be performed. The main mode of SRS round trip may be as follows:

1T1R is only fixed on one antenna to feed back SRS signals to the base station, namely SRS round trip is not supported.

1T2R, the terminal transmits SRS signals on 2 antennas in turn, and selects 1 antenna to transmit at a time

1T4R, the terminal transmits SRS signals on 4 antennas in turn, and 1 antenna is selected at a time to transmit.

2T4R, the terminal transmits SRS signals on 4 antennas in turn, and selects 2 antennas at a time for transmission. Terminals in the non-independent Networking (NSA) mode usually use 1T4R, while terminals in the independent networking (SA) mode usually use 2T4R, etc., which will not be described in detail herein.

As shown in fig. 2, the size of SRS transmission that can be implemented by the NR multi-antenna switching circuit is 1T4R, and the transmission of NR TX on 4 antennas ANT4, ANT5, ANT6 and ANT7, that is, the transmission of SRS signals on 4 antennas, can be implemented by switching a plurality of double-pole four-throw switches (double pole four throw, DP 4T) as shown in fig. 2, for example, DP4T1 and DP4T 2.

It should be noted that fig. 1 and fig. 2 are only exemplary to illustrate one possible LTE multi-antenna switching circuit and NR multi-antenna switching circuit, and in some possible implementations, more or less, even different components than fig. 1 or fig. 2 may be included, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto in particular.

As described above, when the transmission of the LTE main diversity signal needs to be switched between 4 antennas, and the SRS signal of NR needs to be transmitted between 4 antennas in turn, a total of 8 physical antennas are required, so that the circuit layout area and the production cost are also increased. Further, referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of typical allocation of terminal antennas. As shown in fig. 3, with the current communication specifications of mobile phone terminals becoming higher, especially in the case of the increase of the frequency band of the 5G era and the new application scenarios such as wireless-fidelity (WIFI) and 5G, the types and numbers of corresponding antennas are also increasing (e.g. GPS antenna, WIFI antenna, sub6G-1 antenna, sub6G-2 antenna and sub6G-3 antenna in fig. 3, etc.). As such, the design and production costs of the mobile phone terminal layout stack present challenges, and if the antenna is increased without throttling, the circuit layout area and the production costs will be greatly increased. At this time, the problem of a large number of physical antennas at present can be effectively solved by proposing an antenna multiplexing technology (or called antenna sharing technology).

In summary, in order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, technical problems to be solved by the present application are further analyzed and presented. In the prior art, the common antenna technology related to LTE and NR includes various technical schemes, and the following exemplary examples exemplify two common schemes.

Scheme one: referring to fig. 4a, fig. 4a is a schematic circuit diagram of an LTE and NR common antenna. As shown in fig. 4a, the conventional LTE and NR common antenna scheme uses a diplexer (or combiner), which is called a combiner, to combine LTE and NR antennas. Each of the antennas ANT1, ANT2, ANT3 and ANT4 is connected with a combiner, so that the LTE and the NR are independent of each other, and can transmit signals through any one of the 4 antennas. The combiner can combine signals with different frequencies of NR and LTE, so that the signals with different frequencies can use the same antenna to transmit or receive simultaneously. Among them, LTE generally walks through the low frequency channel of the combiner, and NR generally walks through the high frequency channel of the combiner.

Further, referring to fig. 4b, fig. 4b is an equivalent circuit schematic diagram of an LTE and NR common antenna according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 4b, the switching effects of DP4T1, DP4T2, SPDT1, SPDT2, DPDT and the like in fig. 4a may be one 6P8T switch. Obviously, as shown in fig. 4b, both LTETX and LTE Primary Receiver (PRX) may select the antenna ANT1, ANT2, ANT3 or ANT4 to transmit a signal by conducting between the port a and the port 2, the port 4, the port 6 or the port 8 in the 6P 8T; LTE diversity reception (diversity receive, DRX) may select antennas ANT1, ANT2, ANT3, or ANT4 to transmit signals by conducting between port B and port 2, port 4, port 6, or port 8 in 6P 8T; NRTX and NRPRX can select antennas ANT1, ANT2, ANT3, or ANT4 to transmit signals through conduction between port C and port 1, port 3, port 5, or port 7 in 6P 8T; NRDRX may select an antenna ANT1, ANT2, ANT3, or ANT4 to transmit a signal through conduction between port D and port 1, port 3, port 5, or port 7 in 6P 8T; NR MIMOPRX may select antenna ANT1, ANT2, ANT3, or ANT4 to transmit a signal by conducting between port E and port 1, port 3, port 5, or port 7 in 6P 8T; NR MIMODRX may select an antenna ANT1, ANT2, ANT3, or ANT4 to transmit a signal by conducting between port F and port 1, port 3, port 5, or port 7 in 6P 8T.

As described above, for example, when the user is operating the game on a landscape screen, only the antenna signal of ANT1 is good at present due to the landscape screen hand-held handshake, and SRS is currently being transmitted to ANT1, that is, when both LTE TX and NR TX need to transmit signals through ANT 1. Signal transmission via ANT1 can be performed simultaneously by turning on port a and port 2, and turning on port C and port 1, through a combiner 1 connected to port 1 and port 2. Therefore, the situation that one party occupies an antenna and the other party cannot perform signal transmission through the same antenna is avoided, namely, the situation that the two parties are mutually interrupted due to antenna switching is avoided, mutual independence between LTE and NR is realized, the fact that under the condition that the LTE and NR share the antenna, the antenna switching of LTE and the SRS round of NR are not affected by each other is guaranteed, and normal operation of the two parties is guaranteed.

The disadvantage of this scheme one: as shown in fig. 4a and 4b, when the LTE multi-antenna circuit and the NR multi-antenna circuit are combined, 4 combiners are required for 4 antennas. Although the number of antennas is directly reduced by half, the additionally added multiple combiners can also greatly increase the circuit layout area and the production cost of communication equipment such as mobile phones, which contradicts the purpose of reducing the circuit area and the production cost by the antenna sharing technology originally, and cannot meet the actual demands.

Scheme II: referring to fig. 5a, fig. 5a is a schematic circuit diagram of another common antenna for LTE and NR. As shown in fig. 5a, the LTE and NR are connected to four antennas through a 4P4T switching circuit, so that antenna multiplexing can be achieved. Referring to fig. 5b, fig. 5b is a schematic diagram of circuit connection in a switch state. As shown in FIG. 5B, in the default state, the 4P4T switch state is 1-A/2-B/3-C/4-D on. At this time, LTE TX/PRX and NR MIMO PRX operate at ANT0 through the combiner 1; LTE DRX and NR MIMO DRX operate at ANT1 through a combiner 2; NR TX/PRX operating at ANT2; NR DRX operates at ANT3.

The disadvantage of this scheme two: scheme two also implements four antennas in common for LTE and NR and also reduces the number of combiners and switches compared to scheme one. However, SRS sounding and LTE antenna switching in scheme two may be mutually interrupted, resulting in performance loss. For example, referring to fig. 5c, fig. 5c is a schematic diagram of circuit connection in another switch state. Referring to fig. 5b and 5C together, when NR is the SRS antenna to be transmitted to ANT0, it is necessary to switch the 3-C on to the 3-a on in the default state, so that NR TX can transmit the SRS signal through ANT 0. However, as shown in fig. 5C, since the NR performs antenna switching during SRS transmission, LTE TX is turned on from 1-a in a default state, passively switched to 1-C, and passively transmitted through ANT 2. Therefore, the LTE not only needs to do TX-blanking (interrupt) in the handover process, resulting in performance loss, but also further affects the use experience of the user if the antenna signal quality of the ANT2 is poor at this time.

In summary, the scheme in the prior art can better realize the common antenna of LTE and NR, and is independent of each other, so that the antenna switching of LTE and the normal running of SRS round trip of NR are ensured, but the circuit is complex, and the problems of increased circuit area and increased production cost are brought; in the second scheme, although the common antenna of LTE and NR can be realized by simply two combiners and one 4P4T switch, the circuit is simple, interference exists between LTE and NR, SRS burst and LTE antenna switching can be interrupted mutually, and performance loss is caused. Thus, the problems of the working performance and the production cost of the common antenna for LTE and NR are not really well solved in the prior art. Therefore, in order to solve the problem that the current common antenna technology of LTE and NR does not meet the actual service requirement, the technical problem to be actually solved by the present application includes the following aspects: based on the existing communication equipment, through more reasonable switch selection and circuit layout, on the basis of sharing an antenna, the LTE and the NR can be ensured to perform normal antenna switching and SRS round trip transmission, and the circuit area and the production cost are further reduced.

Referring to fig. 6, fig. 6 is a functional block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The following specifically describes an embodiment of the present application by taking the communication device 100 as an example. It should be understood that the illustrated structure of the embodiment of the present application does not constitute a specific limitation on the communication device 100. In some possible embodiments, the communication device 100 may have more or fewer components than shown in the figures, or certain components may be combined, certain components may be split, or different arrangements of components. The various components shown in the figures may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software, including one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

The communication device 100 may include: processor 110, external memory interface 120, internal memory 121, universal serial bus (universal serial bus, USB) interface 130, charge management module 140, power management module 141, battery 142, mobile communication module 150, antenna system 151, wireless communication module 160, audio module 170, speaker 170A, receiver 170B, microphone 170C, headset interface 170D, sensor module 180, keys 190, motor 191, indicator 192, camera 193, display 194, and subscriber identity module (subscriber identification module, SIM) card interface 195, etc. The sensor module 180 may include a pressure sensor 180A, a gyro sensor 180B, an air pressure sensor 180C, a magnetic sensor 180D, an acceleration sensor 180E, a distance sensor 180F, a proximity sensor 180G, a fingerprint sensor 180H, a temperature sensor 180J, a touch sensor 180K, an ambient light sensor 180L, a bone conduction sensor 180M, and the like.

The processor 110 may include one or more processing units, such as: the processor 110 may include an application processor (application processor, AP), a modem processor, a graphics processor (graphics processing unit, GPU), an image signal processor (image signal processor, ISP), a controller, a memory, a video codec, a digital signal processor (digital signal processor, DSP), a baseband processor, and/or a neural network processor (neural-network processing unit, NPU), etc. Wherein the different processing units may be separate devices or may be integrated in one or more processors.

Wherein the controller may be a neural hub and a command center of the communication device 100. The controller can generate operation control signals according to the instruction operation codes and the time sequence signals to finish the control of instruction fetching and instruction execution.

A memory may also be provided in the processor 110 for storing instructions and data. In some embodiments, the memory in the processor 110 is a cache memory. The memory may hold instructions or data that the processor 110 has just used or recycled. If the processor 110 needs to reuse the instruction or data, it can be called directly from the memory. Repeated accesses are avoided and the latency of the processor 110 is reduced, thereby improving the efficiency of the system.

In some embodiments, the processor 110 may include one or more interfaces. The interfaces may include an integrated circuit (inter-integrated circuit, I2C) interface, an integrated circuit built-in audio (inter-integrated circuit sound, I2S) interface, a pulse code modulation (pulse code modulation, PCM) interface, a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter, UART) interface, a mobile industry processor interface (mobile industry processor interface, MIPI), a general-purpose input/output (GPIO) interface, a subscriber identity module (subscriber identity module, SIM) interface, and/or a universal serial bus (universal serial bus, USB) interface, among others.

It should be understood that the interfacing relationship between the modules illustrated in the embodiments of the present application is only illustrative, and is not meant to limit the structure of the communication device 100. In other embodiments of the present application, the communication device 100 may also employ different interfacing manners in the above embodiments, or a combination of multiple interfacing manners.

The charge management module 140 is configured to receive a charge input from a charger. The charger can be a wireless charger or a wired charger.

The power management module 141 is used for connecting the battery 142, and the charge management module 140 and the processor 110. The power management module 141 receives input from the battery 142 and/or the charge management module 140 and provides power to the processor 110, the internal memory 121, the external memory, the display 194, the camera 193, the wireless communication module 160, and the like.

The wireless communication function of the communication device 100 may be implemented by an antenna system 151, a mobile communication module 150, a wireless communication module 160, a modem processor, a baseband processor, and the like. The mobile communication module 150 may include a radio frequency circuit, specifically may include an LTE main set transmitting circuit, an LTE main set receiving circuit, an LTE diversity receiving circuit, an NR main set transmitting circuit, an NR main set receiving circuit, an NR diversity receiving circuit, and the like, and may further include a switching device. Wherein the switching device may comprise a plurality of ports. The antenna system 151 may include multiple antennas, and in some possible embodiments, may include specifically 4 antennas supporting a 4G LTE band and a 5G NR band. Alternatively, in some embodiments of the present application, the radio frequency circuit and antenna system 151 may be connected with a switching device, so that the 4 antennas may be shared by the LTE system and the NR system. Alternatively, by switching on and off the ports of the switching device, the LTE controller may select an antenna with a better signal between the 4 antennas to send and receive signals, and by switching on and off the ports of the switching device, the SRS signal of NR may be alternately transmitted on the 4 antennas (i.e. 1T4R or 2T4R is implemented).

The communication device 100 implements display functions through a GPU, a display screen 194, an application processor, and the like. The GPU is a microprocessor for image processing, and is connected to the display 194 and the application processor. The GPU is used to perform mathematical and geometric calculations for graphics rendering. Processor 110 may include one or more GPUs that execute program instructions to generate or change display information.

The display screen 194 is used to display images, videos, and the like. The display 194 includes a display panel. The display panel may employ a liquid crystal display (liquid crystal display, LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) or an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (matrix organic light emitting diode), a flexible light-emitting diode (flex), a mini, a Micro led, a Micro-OLED, a quantum dot light-emitting diode (quantum dot light emitting diodes, QLED), or the like. In some embodiments, the communication device 100 may include 1 or N display screens 194, N being a positive integer greater than 1.

The communication device 100 may implement photographing functions through an ISP, a camera 193, a video codec, a GPU, a display screen 194, an application processor, and the like. In some embodiments, communication device 100 may include one or more cameras 193.

The ISP is used to process data fed back by the camera 193. For example, when photographing, the shutter is opened, light is transmitted to the camera photosensitive element through the lens, the optical signal is converted into an electric signal, and the camera photosensitive element transmits the electric signal to the ISP for processing and is converted into an image visible to naked eyes. ISP can also optimize the noise, brightness and contrast of the image. The ISP can also optimize parameters such as exposure, color temperature and the like of a shooting scene. In some embodiments, the ISP may be provided in the camera 193.

The camera 193 is used to capture still images or video. The object generates an optical image through the lens and projects the optical image onto the photosensitive element. The photosensitive element may be a charge coupled device (charge coupled device, CCD) or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) phototransistor. The photosensitive element converts the optical signal into an electrical signal, which is then transferred to the ISP to be converted into a digital image signal. The ISP outputs the digital image signal to the DSP for processing. The DSP converts the digital image signal into an image signal in a standard RGB, YUV, or the like format. The camera 193 may be located on the front of the communication device, such as above a touch screen, or may be located in other locations, such as on the back of the communication device. In addition, the camera 193 may further include a camera for capturing images required for face recognition, such as an infrared camera or other cameras. The camera for collecting the image required for face recognition is generally located on the front side of the communication device, for example, above the touch screen, or may be located at other positions, for example, the back side of the communication device, which is not limited by the embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the communication device 100 may include other cameras. The communication device may further comprise a lattice emitter (not shown) for emitting light.

The digital signal processor is used for processing digital signals, and can process other digital signals besides digital image signals. For example, when the communication device 100 selects a frequency bin, the digital signal processor is used to fourier transform the frequency bin energy, or the like.

Video codecs are used to compress or decompress digital video. The communication device 100 may support one or more video codecs. In this way, the communication device 100 may play or record video in a variety of encoding formats, such as: dynamic picture experts group (moving picture experts group, MPEG) 1, MPEG2, MPEG3, MPEG4, etc.

The NPU is a neural-network (NN) computing processor, and can rapidly process input information by referencing a biological neural network structure, for example, referencing a transmission mode between human brain neurons, and can also continuously perform self-learning. Intelligent awareness of the communication device 100, etc. applications may be implemented by the NPU, for example: image recognition, face recognition, speech recognition, text understanding, etc.

The external memory interface 120 may be used to connect an external memory card, such as a Micro SD card, to enable expansion of the memory capabilities of the communication device 100. The external memory card communicates with the processor 110 through an external memory interface 120 to implement data storage functions. For example, files such as music, video, etc. are stored in an external memory card.

The internal memory 121 may be used to store computer executable program code including instructions. The processor 110 executes various functional applications of the communication device 100 and data processing by executing instructions stored in the internal memory 121. The internal memory 121 may include a storage program area and a storage data area. The storage program area may store an operating system, an application required for at least one function (such as a communication function, a face recognition function, a video recording function, a video playing function, a photographing function, an image processing function, etc.), and the like. The storage data area may store data created during use of the communication device 100, etc. In addition, the internal memory 121 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may further include a nonvolatile memory such as at least one magnetic disk storage device, a flash memory device, a universal flash memory (universal flash storage, UFS), and the like.

The communication device 100 may implement audio functions through an audio module 170, a speaker 170A, a receiver 170B, a microphone 170C, an earphone interface 170D, an application processor, and the like. Such as music playing, recording, etc.

The audio module 170 is used to convert digital audio information into an analog audio signal output and also to convert an analog audio input into a digital audio signal.

The speaker 170A, also referred to as a "horn," is used to convert audio electrical signals into sound signals.

A receiver 170B, also referred to as a "earpiece", is used to convert the audio electrical signal into a sound signal.

Microphone 170C, also referred to as a "microphone" or "microphone", is used to convert sound signals into electrical signals.

The earphone interface 170D is used to connect a wired earphone. The headset interface 170D may be a USB interface 130 or a 3.5mm open mobile communication device platform (open mobile terminal platform, OMTP) standard interface, a american cellular telecommunications industry association (cellular telecommunications industry association of the USA, CTIA) standard interface.

The pressure sensor 180A is used to sense a pressure signal, and may convert the pressure signal into an electrical signal. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor 180A may be disposed on the display screen 194. The pressure sensor 180A is of various types, such as a resistive pressure sensor, an inductive pressure sensor, a capacitive pressure sensor, and the like.

The gyro sensor 180B may be used to determine a motion gesture of the communication device 100. In some embodiments, the angular velocity of communication device 100 about three axes (i.e., x, y, and z axes) may be determined by gyro sensor 180B.

The proximity light sensor 180G may include, for example, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) and a light detector, such as a photodiode. The light emitting diode may be an infrared light emitting diode.

The ambient light sensor 180L is used to sense ambient light level. The communication device 100 may adaptively adjust the brightness of the display 194 based on the perceived ambient light level. The ambient light sensor 180L may also be used to automatically adjust white balance when taking a photograph.

The fingerprint sensor 180H is used to collect a fingerprint. The communication device 100 may utilize the collected fingerprint characteristics to unlock the fingerprint, access the application lock, photograph the fingerprint, answer the incoming call, etc. The fingerprint sensor 180H may be disposed below the touch screen, the communication device 100 may receive a touch operation of a user on the touch screen in an area corresponding to the fingerprint sensor, and the communication device 100 may collect fingerprint information of a finger of the user in response to the touch operation, so as to implement a related function.

The temperature sensor 180J is for detecting temperature. In some embodiments, the communication device 100 performs a temperature processing strategy using the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 180J.

The touch sensor 180K, also referred to as a "touch panel". The touch sensor 180K may be disposed on the display screen 194, and the touch sensor 180K and the display screen 194 form a touch screen, which is also called a "touch screen". The touch sensor 180K is for detecting a touch operation acting thereon or thereabout. The touch sensor may communicate the detected touch operation to the application processor to determine the touch event type. Visual output related to touch operations may be provided through the display 194. In other embodiments, the touch sensor 180K may also be disposed on the surface of the communication device 100 at a different location than the display 194.

The keys 190 include a power-on key, a volume key, etc. The keys 190 may be mechanical keys. Or may be a touch key. The communication device 100 may receive key inputs, generating key signal inputs related to user settings and function control of the communication device 100.

The indicator 192 may be an indicator light, may be used to indicate a state of charge, a change in charge, a message indicating a missed call, a notification, etc.

The SIM card interface 195 is used to connect a SIM card. The SIM card may be inserted into the SIM card interface 195, or removed from the SIM card interface 195 to enable contact and separation with the communication device 100. In some embodiments, the communication device 100 employs esims, namely: an embedded SIM card. The eSIM card can be embedded in the communication device 100 and cannot be separated from the communication device 100.

The communication device 100 may be a smart phone, a smart wearable device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, etc. having the above functions, which is not particularly limited in the embodiment of the present application.

Referring to fig. 7, fig. 7 is a software block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

The layered architecture divides the software into several layers, each with distinct roles and branches. The layers communicate with each other through a software interface. In some embodiments, the Android system is divided into four layers, from top to bottom, an application layer, an application framework layer, an Zhuoyun row (Android run) and system libraries, and a kernel layer, respectively. It should be understood that the software architecture shown in fig. 7 is merely illustrative, and that in some possible embodiments, communication device 100 may have more or fewer architectures than shown, etc., and embodiments of the application are not specifically limited in this regard.

The application layer may include a series of application packages.

As shown in fig. 7, the application package may include applications (also referred to as applications) such as cameras, gallery, calendar, phone calls, maps, navigation, WLAN, bluetooth, music, video, short messages, etc. The application can also comprise related communication application, one communication method can be applied by the communication application, and on the basis of the common antenna of LTE and NR, the SRS round trip of LTE antenna switching and NR is realized, and the two are not interfered with each other. Therefore, on one hand, through LTE antenna switching, data transmission is guaranteed to be carried out through an antenna with good signals all the time, user experience is guaranteed, on the other hand, reliable SRS round trip is guaranteed, channel quality estimation of a base station to communication equipment is guaranteed, and the like.

The application framework layer provides an application programming interface (application programming interface, API) and programming framework for application programs of the application layer. The application framework layer includes a number of predefined functions.

As shown in fig. 7, the application framework layer may include a window manager, a content provider, a view system, a phone manager, a resource manager, a notification manager, and the like.

The window manager is used for managing window programs. The window manager can acquire the size of the display screen, judge whether a status bar exists, lock the screen, intercept the screen and the like.

The content provider is used to store and retrieve data and make such data accessible to applications. The data may include video, images, audio, calls made and received, browsing history and bookmarks, phonebooks, etc.

The view system includes visual controls, such as controls to display text, controls to display pictures, and the like. The view system may be used to build applications. The display interface may be composed of one or more views. For example, a display interface including a text message notification icon may include a view displaying text and a view displaying a picture.

The telephony manager is used to provide the communication functions of the communication device 100. Such as the management of call status (including on, hung-up, etc.).

The resource manager provides various resources for the application program, such as localization strings, icons, pictures, layout files, video files, and the like.

The notification manager allows the application to display notification information in a status bar, can be used to communicate notification type messages, can automatically disappear after a short dwell, and does not require user interaction. Such as notification manager is used to inform that the download is complete, message alerts, etc. The notification manager may also be a notification presented in the form of a chart or scroll bar text in the system top status bar, such as a notification of a background running application, or a notification presented on a screen in the form of a dialog interface. For example, a text message is prompted in a status bar, a prompt tone is emitted, the communication device vibrates, and an indicator light blinks, etc.

Android run time includes a core library and virtual machines. Android run time is responsible for scheduling and management of the Android system.

The core library consists of two parts: one part is a function which needs to be called by java language, and the other part is a core library of android.

The application layer and the application framework layer run in a virtual machine. The virtual machine executes java files of the application program layer and the application program framework layer as binary files. The virtual machine is used for executing the functions of object life cycle management, stack management, thread management, security and exception management, garbage collection and the like.

The system library may include a plurality of functional modules, such as: surface manager (surface manager), media Libraries (Media Libraries), three-dimensional graphics processing Libraries (e.g., openGLES), 2D graphics engines (e.g., SGL), etc.

The surface manager is used to manage the display subsystem and provides a fusion of 2D and 3D layers for multiple applications.

Media libraries support a variety of commonly used audio, video format playback and recording, still image files, and the like. The media library may support a variety of audio video encoding formats, such as: MPEG4, h.264, MP3, AAC, AMR, JPG, PNG, etc. The video format according to the present application may be RM, RMVB, MOV, MTV, AVI, AMV, DMV, FLV, for example.

The three-dimensional graphic processing library is used for realizing three-dimensional graphic drawing, image rendering, synthesis, layer processing and the like.

The 2D graphics engine is a drawing engine for 2D drawing.

The kernel layer is a layer between hardware and software, and at least comprises a display driver, a camera driver, an audio driver and a sensor driver.

Referring to fig. 8, fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a switching device 001 according to an embodiment of the application. As shown in fig. 8, the switching apparatus 1001 may be applied to a communication device (e.g., the communication device 100 shown in fig. 6) that may include the antenna system 002 shown in fig. 8. Alternatively, the antenna system 002 and the switching device 001 may be located in the antenna system 151 in the communication system 100 shown in fig. 6 described above. The antenna system 002 may include K antennas, such as antennas 002a, 002b, 002c and 002d shown in fig. 8, and the antennas 002a, 002b, 002c and 002d may be antennas supporting the LTE band and the 5GNR band. As shown in fig. 8, the switching device 001 may include n+x first ports, k+n second ports, and N combiners; wherein N, X, K is an integer greater than or equal to 1. As shown in fig. 8, K second ports of the k+n second ports are respectively connected with the K antennas one by one; n second ports in the K+N second ports are respectively connected with the first input ends of the N combiners one by one; the output ends of the N combiners are respectively connected with N first ports in the N+X first ports one by one.

As shown in fig. 8, the switching device 001 may be configured to switch on an ith first port of the N first ports and a jth second port of the K second ports, so as to transmit a first type of signal (e.g. an LTE main set transmission signal, etc.) through a jth antenna connected to the jth second port. Wherein i is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N, and j is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to K.

And, when a second type signal (for example, an NR main set transmission signal, or a sounding reference signal SRS, etc.) also needs to be transmitted through the jth antenna (for example, when the SRS is transmitted to the jth antenna in a round manner), the jth first port of the X first ports of the switching device and the ith second port of the N second ports may be turned on, and the ith first port connected to the ith second port is turned on to the jth second port via the ith combiner connected to the ith second port, so as to transmit the second type signal through the jth antenna. Wherein s is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to X.

In addition, when the second type signal needs to be transmitted through the j 'th antenna (for example, when the SRS is transmitted to the j' th antenna in turn), the s first port of the X first ports of the switching device and the j 'th second port of the K second ports may be turned on, and the second type signal is transmitted through the corresponding j' th antenna; j 'is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to K, and j is not equal to j'.

Therefore, two kinds of signals can be ensured to share one antenna system, namely, under the condition of reducing the number of antennas, both sides can select any antenna in the shared antenna system to transmit signals, the condition that when the first kind of signals occupy the antennas to transmit is met, the second kind of signals can select the same antenna or other antennas to transmit according to actual requirements through the switching device, and the transmission of the other party is not interrupted because one party occupies the antennas, and mutual interference is avoided.

Referring to fig. 9, fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another switching device according to an embodiment of the application. As shown in fig. 9, the communication device may further include a radio frequency circuit, wherein the radio frequency circuit may include a first type of circuit and a second type of circuit. Specifically, the first type of circuit may include a first primary set transmitting circuit (e.g., LTE TX1 in fig. 9), a first primary set receiving circuit (e.g., LTE PRX1 in fig. 9), and a first diversity receiving circuit (e.g., LTE DRX1 in fig. 9), where, as shown in fig. 9, LTE TX1 and LTE PRX1 may be combined through a duplexer (not shown). Specifically, the second class of circuits may include a second main set transmitting circuit (e.g., NR TX2 in fig. 9), a second main set receiving circuit (e.g., NR PRX2 in fig. 9), and a second diversity receiving circuit (e.g., NR DRX2 in fig. 9), where, as shown in fig. 9, NR TX2 and NR PRX2 may also be combined by a diplexer (not shown in the figure). Optionally, as shown in fig. 9, the radio frequency circuit may further include NR MIMO PRX2 and NR MIMO DRX2. Alternatively, power amplifiers may be included in each of the LTE TX1 and NR TX2, low noise amplifiers may be included in each of the LTE PRX1, LTE DRX1, NR PRX2, NR DRX2, NR MIMO PRX2, and NR MIMO DRX2, and so on. Alternatively, each of the above circuits may be connected to a radio frequency transceiver (not shown), and will not be described in detail herein.

Referring to fig. 9 and the description of the corresponding embodiments of fig. 1 and fig. 2, it should be noted that, in general, 4 antennas are required for LTE and NR, that is, the antenna system in the embodiment of the present application may include 4 antennas (that is, K may be equal to 4), and specifically may include ANT1, ANT2, ANT3, and ANT4 as shown in fig. 9. As shown in fig. 9, the switching device may specifically include 2 single pole double throw switches (SPDT 101 and SPDT 102), 2 combiners (combiner 201 and combiner 202), 3 double pole double throw switches (DPDT 301, DPDT302 and DPDT 303), and one double pole four throw switch (DP 4T 401). Wherein, each of SPDT101 and SPDT102 may include one P port (e.g., port a of each of SPDT101 and SPDT102 shown in fig. 9) and 2T ports (e.g., port 1 and port 2 of each of SPDT101 and SPDT102 shown in fig. 9); each of the DPDT301, DPDT302, and DPDT303 may include 2P ports (e.g., port a and port B of each of the DPDT301, DPDT302, and DPDT303 shown in fig. 9) and 2T ports (e.g., port 1 and port 2 of each of the DPDT301, DPDT302, and DPDT303 shown in fig. 9); the DP4T401 may include 2P ports (e.g., port a and port B in the DP4T401 shown in fig. 9) and 4T ports (e.g., port 1, port 2, port 3, and port 4 in the DP4T401 shown in fig. 9). Further, as shown in fig. 9, the combiner 201 and the combiner 202 may each include two input terminals, i.e., a high-frequency terminal (i.e., a first input terminal in the corresponding embodiment of fig. 8) and a low-frequency terminal (i.e., a second input terminal in the corresponding embodiment of fig. 8).

Referring to fig. 8 and 9 together, the N combiners may include a combiner 201 and a combiner 202; the N first ports may include a port a and a port B of the DPDT 301; the X first ports may include a port a and a port B of the DP4T 401; the K second ports may include port 1 and port 2 of the DPDT302, and port 1 and port 2 of the DPDT 303; the N second ports may include port 1 and port 4 of DP4T 401.

As shown in fig. 9, NR MIMO DRX2 is connected to port 2 of SPDT101, port a of SPDT101 is connected to the high frequency end of combiner 201, LTE DRX1 is connected to the low frequency end of combiner 201 (it is understood that the frequency band of LTE is often lower than the frequency band of NR), the output end of combiner 201 is connected to port a of DPDT301, port 1 of DPDT301 is connected to port a of DPDT302, and port 1 of DPDT302 is connected to antenna ANT 1.

As shown in fig. 9, NR MIMO PRX2 is connected to port 2 of SPDT102, port a of SPDT102 is connected to the high frequency end of combiner 202, LTE TX1/PRX1 is connected to the low frequency end of combiner 202, the output end of combiner 202 is connected to port B of DPDT301, port 2 of DPDT301 is connected to port a of DPDT303, and port 1 of DPDT303 is connected to antenna ANT 2.

As shown in fig. 9, NR DRX2 is connected to port a of DP4T401, port 1 of DP4T401 is connected to port 1 of SPDT101, port 2 of DP4T401 is connected to port B of DPDT302, and port 2 of DPDT302 is connected to antenna ANT 3.

As shown in fig. 9, NR TX2/PRX2 is connected to port B of DP4T, port 4 of DP4T is connected to port 1 of SPDT102, port 3 of DP4T401 is connected to port B of DPDT303, and port 2 of DPDT303 is connected to antenna ANT 4.

The following will describe in detail the functions of each device in combination with the above brief description of each device in the switchgear and the circuit connection relationship between the radio frequency circuit and each device:

SPDT101: the port a can be only conducted with one of the port 1 and the port 2, and can be used for conducting the port a and the port 1 when SRS is transmitted in turn (namely, when NR TX2 transmits signals), at this time, the path between the port a and the port 2 is disconnected, and NR MIMO DRX2 does not work, so that the path is given to the SRS to transmit to the corresponding antenna.

SPDT102: the port A can be conducted with only one port of the port 1 and the port 2, and can be used for conducting the port A and the port 1 when SRS is transmitted in turn, and at the moment, a channel between the port A and the port 2 is disconnected, and the NR MIMO PRX2 does not work so as to give a channel to the SRS to a corresponding antenna for transmission.

Combiner 201: the signal areas of different frequencies of NR and LTE are combined, so that signals of two different frequencies can be transmitted by using the same antenna (namely, the NR and the LTE use the same antenna to transmit or receive signals simultaneously). As described above, among them, NR MIMO DRX2 walks on the high frequency path in the combiner 201, and LTE DRX1 walks on the low frequency path.

Combiner 202: and combining the signal areas of different frequencies of NR and LTE, so that the signals of two different frequencies can be transmitted by using the same antenna. Simultaneously transmitting or receiving. As described above, among other things, NR MIMO PRX2 walks through the high frequency path in combiner 202, LTE TX1/PRX1 walks through the low frequency path.

DPDT301: there are two states of pass-through and cross-conduction. The straight-through state is A-1\B-2 conduction, and the cross conduction state is A-2/B-1 conduction. As shown in fig. 9, the DPDT301 may be controlled by a TAS ctrl (e.g., a processor or a controller connected to the switching device, or a portion thereof, etc.) to implement a TAS switching function, so that the LTE signal is switched between the upper antenna (ANT 1, ANT 3) and the lower antenna (ANT 2, ANT 4).

DPDT302: there are two states of pass-through and cross-conduction. The straight-through state is A-1\B-2 conduction, and the cross conduction state is A-2/B-1 conduction. As shown in fig. 9, the DPDT302 may be controlled by the mas_ctrl_1 to realize a MAS switching function, so that the LTE signal is switched between the left and right antennas (ANT 1, ANT 3) of the upper antenna.

DPDT303: there are two states of pass-through and cross-conduction. The straight-through state is A-1\B-2 conduction, and the cross conduction state is A-2/B-1 conduction. As shown in fig. 9, the DPDT303 may be controlled by mas_ctrl_2 to realize a MAS switching function, so that the LTE signal is switched between the left and right antennas (ANT 2, ANT 3) of the lower antenna.

DP4T401: ports a and B may be in communication with any two different ports of ports 1, 2, 3 and 4. DP4T401 mainly enables connection of NR primary diversity (i.e., NR TX2/PRX2, NR DRX 2) to antennas and enables SRS sounding by NR TX2 over antennas ANT1, ANT3, ANT2, and ANT4 through DP4T 401.

Based on the above description of the corresponding embodiments of fig. 8 and fig. 9, the following will further explain how the switching device provided by the present application implements the LTE and NR common antennas without interfering with each other by specifying the details of each case. Referring to fig. 10a to 10h, fig. 10a to 10h are schematic diagrams of a set of antenna selection circuits according to an embodiment of the present application.

(1) As shown in fig. 10a, the LTE controller controls DPDT301 to be turned on (a-1/B-2 turned on), DPDT302 to be turned on (a-1/B-2 turned on), DPDT303 to be turned on (a-1/B-2 turned on), SPDT101 to be turned on (i.e., port a and port 2 of SPDT101 to be turned on), and SPDT102 to be turned on a-2 in default state. As shown in fig. 10a, at this time, LTE DRX1 is connected to antenna ANT1 via the low frequency side, the output side, port a of DPDT301, port 1, port a of DPDT302, port 1 of combiner 201, that is, LTE diversity is operated at ANT1, and LTE diversity reception signals are received by ANT1; LTE TX1/PRX1 is connected to antenna ANT2 via low frequency end, output end, port B of DPDT301, port 2, port a of DPDT303, port 1 of combiner 202, i.e. LTE main set works at ANT2, LTE main set transmitting signal is transmitted through ANT2 and LTE main set receiving signal is received; NR MIMO DRX2 is connected to antenna ANT1 via port 2, port a of SPDT101, the high frequency side, output side of combiner 201, port a of DPDT301, port 1, port a of DPDT302, port 1, that is, NR MIMO DRX2 operates at ANT1; NR MIMO PRX2 is connected to antenna ANT2 via port 2, port a, the high frequency side, the output side of the combiner 202, port B of DPDT301, port 2, port a of DPDT303, port 1 of SPDT102, that is, NR MIMO PRX2 operates at ANT2.

As described above, in the LTE antenna selection state shown in fig. 10a, if the 1T4r SRS of NR is initiated at this time, it can be realized by controlling the DP4T 401. Referring to fig. 11 a-11 d, fig. 11 a-11 d are schematic circuit diagrams of a set of SRS transmission in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

SRS1: as shown in fig. 11a, the control DP4T401 is turned on B-3 (i.e., the port B of the DP4T401 is turned on with the port 3), and at this time, the NR TX2 is connected to the antenna ANT4 via the port B of the DP4T, the port 3, the port B of the DPDT303, and the port 2. As shown in fig. 11a, SRS1 is transmitted on ANT4 at this time.

SRS2: as shown in fig. 11B, control DP4T401 is turned on with B-2, and at this time, NR TX2 is connected to antenna ANT3 via port B of DP4T, port 2, port B of DPDT302, and port 2. As shown in fig. 11b, SRS2 is transmitted on ANT3 at this time. It should be noted that, referring to fig. 11a and 11B together, if the initial state or the history state of the DP4T401 is a-2 on, the original a-2 on may be directly covered by the B-2 on, or as shown in fig. 11B, the switching to a-3 on may be performed, and so on. It can be appreciated that since NR adopts TDD mode of operation, its transmission and reception are not simultaneous, and NR DRX2 may not operate and yield channels when NR TX2 needs to occupy channels for SRS transmission over the corresponding antenna.

SRS3: as shown in fig. 11c, the DP4T401 is controlled to be turned on by B-4, and the SPDT102 is controlled to be turned on by a-1, at this time, the NR TX2 is connected to the antenna ANT2 via the port B of the DP4T, the port 4, the port 1 of the SPDT102, the port a, the high frequency end, the output end of the combiner 202, the port B of the DPDT301, the port 2, the port a of the DPDT303, and the port 1. At this time, SRS3 is transmitted on ANT2, as shown in fig. 11 c. As described above, since NR adopts the TDD operation mode, its transmission and reception are not performed simultaneously, and when NR TX2 needs to occupy a channel to perform SRS transmission through a corresponding antenna, NR MIMO PRX2 may not operate and yield the channel.

SRS4: as shown in fig. 11d, the DP4T401 is controlled to be turned on by B-1, and the SPDT101 is controlled to be turned on by a-1, at this time, the NR TX2 is connected to the antenna ANT1 via the port B of the DP4T, the port 1, the port a of the SPDT101, the high frequency end, the output end of the combiner 201, the port a of the DPDT301, the port 1, the port a of the DPDT302, and the port 1. As shown in fig. 11d, SRS4 is transmitted on ANT1 at this time. As described above, since NR adopts the TDD operation mode, its transmission and reception are not performed simultaneously, and when NR TX2 needs to occupy a channel to perform SRS transmission through a corresponding antenna, NR MIMO DRX2 may not operate and yield the channel.

As described above, in the default state, that is, in the case of DPDT301, DPDT302, and DPDT303, the NR controller may alternately perform SRS transmission of 1T4R on antennas ANT4→ant3→ant2→ant1 by controlling DP4T401 to alternately turn on B-3→b-2→b-4→b-1. Alternatively, the developer may also change the turn-on sequence of DP4T, so as to change the antenna sequence used during SRS round trip, for example, if the DP4T is controlled to turn on B-1→b-2→b-3→b-4 in turn, the NR controller may be enabled to perform 1T4R SRS round trip on the antennas ANT1→ant3→ant4→ant2 in turn, which is not limited in detail in the embodiment of the present application, and fig. 10B to 10h are the same as the description below, and are not repeated.

(2) As shown in fig. 10b, when the antenna switching occurs in LTE, for example, refer to fig. 12a, fig. 12a is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application, and as shown in fig. 12a, when a user horizontally holds a handshake to watch a video, the antenna switching can be performed in case that signals of antennas ANT2 and ANT4 are extremely weak due to hand shielding. As shown in fig. 12a, the LTE main set signal may be selectively transmitted through ANT1 with a better signal from among ANT1 and ANT3, thereby ensuring the user experience. As shown in fig. 10B, the LTE controller may control the DPDT301 to cross-conduct (a-2/B-1 to conduct), the DPDT302 to direct (a-1/B-2 to conduct), the DPDT303 to direct (a-1/B-2 to conduct), and the SPDT101 to a-2 to conduct, and the SPDT102 to a-2 to conduct. As shown in fig. 10B, at this time, LTE TX1/PRX1 is connected to antenna ANT1 via the low frequency end, output end, port B of DPDT301, port 1, port a of DPDT302, i.e. LTE main set operates at ANT1, and LTE main set transmitting signal is transmitted and LTE main set receiving signal is received through ANT1; LTE DRX1 is connected to antenna ANT2 via the low frequency end, output end, port a of DPDT301, port 2, port a of DPDT303, port 1 of combiner 201, that is, LTE diversity works at ANT2, and LTE diversity reception signals are received by ANT 2; NR MIMO PRX2 is connected to antenna ANT1 via port 2, port a, the high frequency side, the output side of SPDT102, port B of DPDT301, port 1, port a of DPDT302, port 1 of SPDT102, that is, NR MIMO PRX2 operates at ANT1; NR MIMO DRX2 is connected to antenna ANT2 via port 2, port a of SPDT101, the high frequency side, output side of combiner 201, port a of DPDT301, port 2, port a of DPDT303, port 1, i.e., NR MIMO DRX2 operates at ANT2.

As described above, in the LTE antenna selection state shown in fig. 10b, similarly, if the 1T4r SRS of NR is initiated at this time, the DP4T401 may be controlled. Specific control can be referred to the corresponding description in the default state of (1), and the following is only briefly summarized: the DP4T401 may be controlled to alternately turn on B-3→b-2→b-4→b-1, so that the NR controller may alternately perform SRS round trip of 1T4R on the antennas ANT4→ant3→ant1→ant2, and so on, and details thereof will not be repeated here.

(3) As shown in fig. 10c, on the premise of ensuring that LTE TX1 transmits signals on ANT1, that is, on the premise of controlling DPDT301 to be cross-conductive (a-2/B-1 is conductive), DPDT302 is straight-through (a-1/B-2 is conductive), DPDT303 can be further switched to a cross-conductive state (a-2/B-1 is conductive), at this time, LTE TX1/PRX1 and NR MIMO PRX2 both operate on ANT1, and LTE DRX1 and NR MIMO DRX2 both operate on ANT4.

Similarly, in the LTE antenna selection state shown in fig. 10c, if the 1T4r SRS of NR is initiated at this time, the DP4T401 may be controlled. Specific control can be referred to the corresponding description in the default state of (1), and the following is only briefly summarized: the DP4T401 may be controlled to alternately turn on B-3→b-2→b-4→b-1, so that the NR controller may alternately perform SRS round trip of 1T4R on the antennas ANT2→ant3→ant1→ant4, and so on, and details thereof will not be repeated here.

(4) As shown in fig. 10d, if the signal of the antenna ANT2 is strong at this time, in order to enable the LTE TX1 to transmit the signal through the ANT2, the state in (2) and (3) may be directly switched back to the default state in (1), and the DPDT302 may be switched to the cross-conduction state (a-2/B-1 conduction) on the premise of controlling the DPDT301 to be turned on and the DPDT303 to be turned on. As shown in fig. 10d, at this time, LTE TX1/PRX1 and NR MIMO PRX2 are both operating at ANT2, and LTE DRX1 and NR MIMO DRX2 are both operating at ANT3.

Similarly, in the LTE antenna selection state shown in fig. 10d, if the 1T4r SRS of NR is initiated at this time, DP4T401 may be controlled. Specific control can be referred to the corresponding description in the default state of (1), and the following is only briefly summarized: the DP4T401 may be controlled to alternately turn on B-3→b-2→b-4→b-1, so that the NR controller may alternately perform SRS round trip of 1T4R on the antennas ant4→ant1→ant2→ant3, etc., and a detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

(5) As shown in fig. 10e, when the LTE needs to switch the antenna, for example, refer to fig. 12b, fig. 12b is a schematic diagram of another application scenario provided by the embodiment of the present application, and as shown in fig. 12b, when a user holds a handshake machine to operate a game, the LTE antenna may be switched under the condition that signals of the antennas ANT1 and ANT2 are extremely weak due to the shielding of the hand. As shown in fig. 12b, the LTE main set signal may be selectively transmitted through ANT3 with a better signal from among ANT3 and ANT4, thereby ensuring the user experience. As shown in fig. 10e, the LTE controller may control the DPDT301 to cross-conduct (a-2/B-1 to conduct), the DPDT302 to cross-conduct (a-2/B-1 to conduct), the DPDT303 to cross-conduct (a-1/B-2 to conduct), and the SPDT101 to a-2 to conduct, and the SPDT102 to a-2 to conduct. As shown in fig. 10e, at this time, LTE TX1/PRX1 and NR MIMO PRX2 are both operating at ANT3, and LTE DRX1 and NR MIMO DRX2 are both operating at ANT2.

Similarly, in the LTE antenna selection state shown in fig. 10e, if the 1T4r SRS of NR is initiated at this time, the DP4T401 may be controlled. Specific control can be referred to the corresponding description in the default state of (1), and the following is only briefly summarized: the DP4T401 may be controlled to alternately turn on B-3→b-2→b-4→b-1, so that the NR controller may alternately perform SRS round trip of 1T4R on the antennas ant4→ant1→ant3→ant2, and so on, and details thereof will not be repeated here.

(6) As shown in fig. 10f, on the premise of ensuring that LTE TX1 transmits signals on ANT1, that is, on the premise of controlling DPDT301 to be cross-conductive (a-2/B-1 is conductive), DPDT302 to be cross-conductive (a-2/B-1 is conductive), DPDT303 may be further switched to a cross-conductive state (a-2/B-1 is conductive), at this time, LTE TX1/PRX1 and NR MIMO PRX2 both operate on ANT3, and LTE DRX1 and NR MIMO DRX2 both operate on ANT4.

Similarly, in the LTE antenna selection state shown in fig. 10f, if the 1T4r SRS of NR is initiated at this time, the DP4T401 may be controlled. Specific control can be referred to the corresponding description in the default state of (1), and the following is only briefly summarized: the DP4T401 may be controlled to alternately turn on B-3→b-2→b-4→b-1, so that the NR controller may alternately perform SRS round trip of 1T4R on the antennas ANT2→ant1→ant3→ant4, etc., and details thereof will not be repeated here.

(7) As shown in fig. 10g, if the signal of the antenna ANT4 is detected to be stronger at this time, in order to enable the LTE TX1 to transmit the signal through the ANT4 and ensure the use experience of the user, the LTE controller may switch to the ANT4 to transmit the LTE main set signal. As shown in fig. 10g, the LTE controller may control DPDT301 to be turned on (a-1/B-2 turned on), DPDT302 to be turned on (a-1/B-2 turned on), DPDT303 to be turned on in a cross (a-2/B-1 turned on), and SPDT101 to be turned on a-2, and SPDT102 to be turned on a-2. As shown in fig. 10e, at this time, LTE TX1/PRX1 and NR MIMO PRX2 are both operating at ANT4, and LTE DRX1 and NR MIMO DRX2 are both operating at ANT1.

Similarly, in the LTE antenna selection state shown in fig. 10g, if the 1T4r SRS of NR is initiated at this time, DP4T401 may be controlled. Specific control can be referred to the corresponding description in the default state of (1), and the following is only briefly summarized: the DP4T401 may be controlled to alternately turn on B-3→b-2→b-4→b-1, so that the NR controller may alternately perform SRS round-robin of 1T4R on the antennas ANT2→ant3→ant4→ant1, etc., and a detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

(8) As shown in fig. 10h, on the premise of ensuring that LTE TX1 transmits signals on ANT4, that is, on the premise of controlling DPDT301 to be turned straight through (a-1/B-2 is turned on), DPDT303 is turned on in a cross manner (a-2/B-1 is turned on), DPDT302 may be switched to a cross conduction state (a-2/B-1 is turned on), at this time, LTE TX1/PRX1 and NR MIMO PRX2 both operate on ANT4, and LTE rx1 and NR MIMO DRX2 both operate on ANT3.

Similarly, in the LTE antenna selection state shown in fig. 10h, if the 1T4r SRS of NR is initiated at this time, the DP4T401 may be controlled. Specific control can be referred to the corresponding description in the default state of (1), and the following is only briefly summarized: the DP4T401 may be controlled to alternately turn on B-3→b-2→b-4→b-1, so that the NR controller may alternately perform SRS round trip of 1T4R on the antennas ANT2→ant1→ant4→ant3, etc., and a detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

In summary, through more reasonable device selection and circuit connection, the embodiment of the application can realize that when LTE performs any antenna switching, namely when LTE selects any antenna for signal transmission through each switch, the SRS round of NR does not interrupt the main diversity reception of LTE, and the LTE does not need to do TX-blocking, and the LTE and NR two sets of systems realize non-collision coexistence. Meanwhile, as shown in the following table 1, compared with the scheme one in the prior art, after multiplexing of the LTE four antennas and the NR four antennas is achieved, only 2 combiners and 1 DP4T are used in the circuit, so that the total area of the layout of the circuit device is greatly reduced, and the production and manufacturing costs are reduced.

TABLE 1

Comparison item	Scheme one	The application is that
			SP2T	2 pieces of	2 pieces of
Combiner device	4 pieces of	2 pieces of
			DP4T	2 pieces of	1 number of
DPDT	1 number of	3 pieces of
			Total area of	31.19mm ²	20.94mm ²

Optionally, referring to fig. 13, fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of an equivalent circuit according to an embodiment of the application. As shown in fig. 13, the equivalent circuit of the switching device may include SPDT101, SPDT102, combiner 201, combiner 202, and one four-pole six-throw switch (4P 6T 501). Referring to fig. 4b and fig. 13 together, it is apparent that compared with the first conventional solution, the embodiment of the application simplifies the circuit, reduces the number of the combiners, and reduces the manufacturing cost. Referring to fig. 8 together, it is apparent that, as shown in fig. 8 and 13, the N first ports may be the port a and the port B in the 4P6T, the X first ports may be the port C and the port D in the 4P6T, the K second ports may be the port 1, the port 2, the port 3 and the port 4 in the 4P6T, and the N second ports may be the port 5 and the port 6 in the 4P 6T. Referring to fig. 9 together, as shown in fig. 9 and 13, the equivalent circuit is to equivalent DPDT301, DPDT302, DPDT303 and DP4T401 to 4P6T501. It will be appreciated that the functions implemented by the equivalent circuit are consistent with the description of the corresponding embodiments of fig. 8 and 9 above.

For example, referring to fig. 14 a-14 d, fig. 14 a-14 d are schematic diagrams of antenna selection for a set of equivalent circuits according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 14a to 14d, when the LTE main diversity is respectively operated on ANT2 and ANT1, C-3→c-5→c-6→c-4 may be alternately turned on by controlling the 4P6T to realize that the SRS of NR is transmitted on the antenna ANT3→ant1→ant2→ant4, and so on, which will not be described herein.

Further, referring to fig. 15, fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of another switching device according to an embodiment of the application. As shown in fig. 15, the extension circuit supports the second NR frequency band, i.e., NR2 TX3/PRX3, NR2 DRX3, NR2 MIMO PRX3, and NR2 MIMO DRX3 are added as shown in fig. 15. Accordingly, as shown in fig. 15, the switching device includes SPDT101, SPDT102, combiner 201, combiner 202, DPDT301, DPDT302, DPDT303, DP4T402, and 4P4T601. Wherein, port A of DP4T402 is connected with port 2 of SPDT101, port B of DP4T402 is connected with port 2 of SPDT102, port 1 of DP4T402 is connected with NR2 MIMO DRX3, port 2 is connected with NR2 MIMO PRX3, port 3 is connected with NR1 MIMO DRX2, and port 4 is connected with NR1 MIMO PRX 2. The connection between the port a of the 4P4T601 and the NR2 DRX3, the connection between the port B and the NR2 TX3/PRX3, the connection between the port C and the NR1 DRX2, and the connection between the port D and the NR1 TX2/PRX2 may be referred to the description of the corresponding embodiment of fig. 9, and will not be described herein.

As shown in fig. 15, DP4T402 is set so that the circuit supports the main diversity reception of the second path NR, and the newly added 4P4T601 enables the circuit to support the main diversity reception of the second path NR MIMO. The frequency bands covered by NR1 and NR2 are different, and the two different frequency bands do not work simultaneously, so that NR1 and NR2 can respectively implement the same functions as those of the foregoing embodiment corresponding to fig. 9, that is, when LTE performs antenna switching arbitrarily, NR1 or NR2 may perform SRS round trip, and may not interfere with antenna switching of LTE. For example, when NR1 works, the SRS round trip of NR1 may be implemented by controlling the port D in the 4P4T601 to conduct between the port 1, the port 2, the port 3 and the port 4 in turn according to a certain order, and specific reference may be made to the embodiments corresponding to fig. 10a to fig. 10h, which are not described herein. For another example, when NR2 works, the SRS round trip of NR2 may be implemented by controlling the port B in the 4P4T601 to conduct between the port 1, the port 2, the port 3 and the port 4 in turn according to a certain order, and specific reference may be made to the embodiments corresponding to fig. 10a to fig. 10h, which are not described herein again.

Further, referring to fig. 16, fig. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of another switching device according to an embodiment of the application. As shown in fig. 16, the radio frequency circuit portion is added with NR1 TX4 and NR2 TX5, and therefore, the circuit structure shown in fig. 6 is also extended to support the 2T4R specification of the first path NR and the second path NR, that is, NR1 supports 2 paths of transmission (TX 2 and TX 3), and NR2 supports 2 paths of transmission (TX 4 and TX 5) as compared with fig. 15. As shown in fig. 16, NR1 TX4 is connected to port 4 of DP4T402, and NR2 TX5 is connected to port 2 of DP4T 402. Alternatively, as described in the foregoing explanation of SRS, when the entire radio frequency system (e.g., including radio frequency circuitry, switching devices, and antenna system) is operating in NSA mode, LTE operates with NR1 TX2, while NR1 TX4 and NR2 TX5 do not operate; alternatively, LTE and NR2 TX3 operate, where NR1 TX4 and NR2 TX5 do not operate, so that the SRS transmission corresponding to NR only supporting 1T4R may be equivalent to the embodiment corresponding to fig. 15. When the whole radio frequency system works in an SA mode, NR1 TX2 and NR1 TX4 work, and LTE does not work; alternatively, NR2 TX3 and NR2 TX5 operate and LTE does not operate, so NR1 and NR2 both support SRS sounding for 2T 4R. For example, when the whole radio frequency system works in the SA mode and NR1 TX2 and NR1 TX4 work, the first path NR (i.e. NR 1) 2T4R standard SRS round trip can be implemented by controlling the port D in the 4P4T601 to conduct between the port 1, the port 2, the port 3 and the port 4 in turn, and by controlling the port 4 in the DP4T402 to conduct between the port a and the port B in turn, and by controlling the respective conducting states of the DPDT301, the DPDT302 and the DPDT303, etc., so that each of the NR1 TX2 and the NR1 TX4 can perform SRS round trip through 4 antennas, which will not be described herein.

Referring to fig. 17, fig. 17 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, where the communication method may be applied to a communication device (e.g., the communication device 100 described in fig. 6). The communication device may comprise an antenna system comprising K antennas and a switching means; the switching device comprises N+X first ports, K+N second ports and N combiners; wherein, K second ports in the K+N second ports are respectively connected with the K antennas one by one; n second ports in the K+N second ports are respectively connected with the first input ends of the N combiners one by one; the output ends of the N combiners are respectively connected with N first ports in the N+X first ports one by one; n, X, K is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Alternatively, the method may be applied to the application scenario described in fig. 12a or fig. 12b, and the method may include the following steps S701-S704.

Step S701, conducting, by the switching device, an ith first port of the N first ports and a jth second port of the K second ports, and transmitting a first type signal by a corresponding jth antenna; i is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N, and j is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to K.

Step S702, when a second signal needs to be transmitted through the jth antenna, turning on an S first port of the X first ports and an i second port of the N second ports, and turning on the S first port to the jth second port through an i combiner connected to the i second port and the i first port connected to the i combiner, and transmitting the second signal through the jth antenna; s is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to X.

Optionally, the communication method may specifically refer to the descriptions of the corresponding embodiments of fig. 8, fig. 9, fig. 10a to fig. 10h, and fig. 11a to fig. 11d, which are not described herein again.

The embodiment of the present invention also provides a computer readable storage medium, where the computer readable storage medium may store a program, where the program when executed by a processor causes the processor to perform some or all of the steps described in any one of the above method embodiments.

The embodiment of the present invention also provides a computer program, where the computer program includes instructions, when the computer program is executed by a multi-core processor, enable the processor to perform some or all of the steps described in any one of the above method embodiments.

It should be understood that, in the above embodiment, the LTE core NR communication system is described as an example, and the actual communication system may be replaced by a type thereof, which is not limited in this embodiment.

In the foregoing embodiments, the descriptions of the embodiments are emphasized, and for parts of one embodiment that are not described in detail, reference may be made to the related descriptions of other embodiments. It should be noted that, for simplicity of description, the foregoing method embodiments are all described as a series of acts, but it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by the order of acts described, as some steps may be performed in other orders or concurrently in accordance with the present invention. Further, those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the embodiments described in the specification are all preferred embodiments, and that the acts and modules referred to are not necessarily required for the present invention.

In the several embodiments provided by the present invention, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus may be implemented in other manners. For example, the above-described apparatus embodiments are merely illustrative, such as the above-described division of units, merely a division of logic functions, and there may be additional manners of dividing in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not performed. Alternatively, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed with each other may be an indirect coupling or communication connection via some interfaces, devices or units, or may be in electrical or other forms.

The units described above as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and components shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed over a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in the embodiments of the present invention may be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit. The integrated units may be implemented in hardware or in software functional units.

The integrated units described above, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as stand-alone products, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present invention may be embodied in essence or a part contributing to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium, including several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server or a network device, etc., in particular may be a processor in the computer device) to perform all or part of the steps of the above-mentioned method of the various embodiments of the present invention. Wherein the aforementioned storage medium may comprise: a U-disk, a removable hard disk, a magnetic disk, a compact disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a Double Data Rate (DDR), a flash memory (flash), or a random access memory (random access memory, RAM) or the like.

The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical solution of the present invention, and not for limiting the same; although the invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that: the technical scheme described in the foregoing embodiments can be modified or some technical features thereof can be replaced by equivalents; such modifications and substitutions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A switching device, characterized by being applied to a communication apparatus, the communication apparatus comprising an antenna system comprising K antennas; the switching device comprises N+X first ports, K+N second ports and N combiners; wherein,

k second ports in the K+N second ports are respectively connected with the K antennas one by one; n second ports in the K+N second ports are respectively connected with the first input ends of the N combiners one by one; the output ends of the N combiners are respectively connected with N first ports in the N+X first ports one by one; n, X, K is an integer greater than or equal to 1;

The switching device is used for:

turning on the ith first port in the N first ports and the jth second port in the K second ports, and transmitting a first type signal through the corresponding jth antenna; i is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N, j is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to K;

when a second type signal needs to be transmitted through the j-th antenna, an s-th first port of the X first ports and an i-th second port of the N second ports are conducted, and the s-th first port is conducted to the j-th second port through an i-th combiner connected with the i-th second port and the i-th first port connected with the i-th combiner, and the second type signal is transmitted through the j-th antenna; s is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to X; the first type signal and the second type signal are transmission signals of different communication systems respectively.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switching device is further configured to:

when the second type signal needs to be transmitted through a j ' th antenna, the s first port of the X first ports and the j ' th second port of the K second ports are conducted, and the second type signal is transmitted through the corresponding j ' th antenna; j 'is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to K, and j is not equal to j'.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the switching apparatus comprises a first double pole double throw switch DPDT, a second DPDT, a third DPDT and a double pole four throw switch DP4T; the N first ports include two P ports of the first DPDT; the X first ports include two P ports in the DP4T; the K second ports include two T ports in the second DPDT and two T ports in the third DPDT; the N second ports include two T ports in the DP 4T.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of the first DPDT, the second DPDT and the third DPDT comprises a first P port, a second P port, a first T port and a second T port; the DP4T comprises a first P port, a second P port, a first T port, a second T port, a third T port and a fourth T port;

a first T port of the first DPDT is connected with a first P port of the second DPDT; a first T port of the second DPDT is connected with a first antenna of the K antennas;

the second T port of the first DPDT is connected with the first P port of the third DPDT; a first T port of the third DPDT is connected with a second antenna of the K antennas;

A second T port of the DP4T is connected with a second P port of the second DPDT; a second T port of the second DPDT is connected with a third antenna of the K antennas;

a third T port of the DP4T is connected with a second P port of the third DPDT; and a second T port of the third DPDT is connected with a fourth antenna in the K antennas.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the communication device further comprises a radio frequency circuit comprising a first type of circuit and a second type of circuit; the first type of circuit comprises a first main set transmitting circuit, a first main set receiving circuit and a first diversity receiving circuit; the second class of circuits comprises a second main set transmitting circuit, a second main set receiving circuit and a second sub set receiving circuit; the N combiners comprise a first combiner and a second combiner; wherein,

the first diversity receiving circuit is connected with the second input end of the first combiner; the first main set transmitting circuit and the first main set receiving circuit are connected with the second input end of the second combiner;

the second diversity receiving circuit is connected with a first P port of the DP 4T; the second main set transmitting circuit and the second main set receiving circuit are connected with a second P port of the DP 4T.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first type of signal comprises a first main set transmit signal, a first main set receive signal, and a first diversity receive signal; the second class of signals comprises a second main set transmitting signal, a second main set receiving signal and a second diversity receiving signal; the first input ends of the first combiner and the second combiner are high-frequency ends, and the second input ends of the first combiner and the second combiner are low-frequency ends.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the switching device further comprises: a first single pole double throw switch SPDT and a second SPDT; the first SPDT and the second SPDT comprise P ports, a first T port and a second T port; wherein,

a first T port of the DP4T is connected with a first T port of the first SPDT; the P port of the first SPDT is connected with the first input end of the first combiner; the output end of the first combiner is connected with a first P port of the first DPDT;

a fourth T port of the DP4T is connected with a first T port of the second SPDT; the P port of the second SPDT is connected with the first input end of the second combiner; and the output end of the second combiner is connected with a second P port of the first DPDT.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-2 or 4-7, wherein the K antennas are antennas supporting a long term evolution, LTE, frequency band and a 5G new air interface, NR, frequency band.

9. A communication method, characterized by being applied to a communication device, the communication device comprising an antenna system and a switching device, the antenna system comprising K antennas; the switching device comprises N+X first ports, K+N second ports and N combiners; wherein,

the method comprises the following steps:

the ith first port of the N first ports and the jth second port of the K second ports are conducted through the switching device, and the first type of signals are transmitted through the corresponding jth antenna; i is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N, j is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to K;

When a second type signal needs to be transmitted through the j-th antenna, the switch device is used for conducting an s-th first port in the X-th first ports and an i-th second port in the N-th second ports, conducting the s-th first port to the j-th second port through an i-th combiner connected with the i-th second port and the i-th first port connected with the i-th combiner, and transmitting the second type signal through the j-th antenna; s is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to X; the first type signal and the second type signal are transmission signals of different communication systems respectively.

10. A radio frequency system for use in a communication device, the radio frequency system comprising a radio frequency circuit, an antenna system and a switching device according to any of the preceding claims 1-8.

11. A communication device comprising a radio frequency circuit, an antenna system and a switching arrangement according to any of the preceding claims 1-8.

12. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer readable storage medium stores a computer program which, when executed by a processor, implements the method of claim 9.