TWI742755B - Beam forming system and beam former - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a beam forming system, including a transceiver circuit, a switch circuit and a beam former. The switch circuit is electrically connected to the transceiver circuit. The beam former contains a plurality of antenna units. The antenna units receive and send signals according to multiple radiation angles, and the radiation angle of each antenna unit is different. The switch circuit selectively conducts one of the antenna units to the transceiver circuit according to a control number.

Description

Beam forming system and beam generator

The present disclosure relates to a beamforming system, especially a technology for transmitting and receiving wireless signals through multiple antenna units.

Beamforming is a technology that transmits and receives wireless signals directionally through an antenna array. The antenna array can superimpose transmit or receive signals in a specific direction to form precise directional transmission. There are many circuit structures that perform beamforming, but different circuit structures not only affect the power added efficiency (PAE), but are also closely related to the production cost.

One embodiment of the present disclosure is a beamforming system including a transceiver circuit, a switch circuit, and a beam generator. The switch circuit is electrically connected to the transceiver circuit. The beam generator includes a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna unit transmits and receives signals according to a plurality of radiation angles, and the radiation angle corresponding to each antenna unit is different from each other. The switch circuit selectively conducts an antenna unit to the transceiver circuit according to the control signal.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a beam generator including a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna unit is electrically connected to the switch circuit. The antenna units transmit and receive signals according to a plurality of radiation angles, and the radiation angles corresponding to each antenna unit are different from each other. The switch circuit selectively turns on at least one of the antenna elements to the transceiver circuit, and the beam generator generates a corresponding radiation direction according to one of the antenna elements that are turned on.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a beamforming system including a phase adjustment circuit and a plurality of beamforming devices. The phase adjustment circuit includes a plurality of phase gain adjusters for adjusting the phase of the wireless signal in the first direction. Each of these beamforming devices includes a transceiver circuit, a switch circuit, and a beam generator. The transceiver circuit is electrically connected to one of the phase gain adjusters. The beam generator includes a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna units transmit and receive wireless signals according to a plurality of radiation angles, and the radiation angles corresponding to each antenna unit are different from each other. The switch circuit selectively conducts an antenna unit to the transceiver circuit according to the control signal.

Since the beamforming system can change the antenna unit connected to the transceiver circuit through the switching of the switch circuit, and then adjust the radiation direction of the beam generator, this "passive" beamforming system will be able to balance the production cost and the efficiency of electrical power conversion. .

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed in drawings. For clear description, many practical details will be described in the following description. However, it should be understood that these practical details should not be used to limit the present invention. In other words, in some implementations of the present disclosure, these practical details are unnecessary. In addition, in order to simplify the drawings, some conventionally used structures and elements are shown in the drawings in a simple and schematic manner.

In this text, when a component is referred to as “connected” or “coupled”, it can be referred to as “electrically connected” or “electrically coupled”. "Connected" or "coupled" can also be used to mean that two or more components cooperate or interact with each other. In addition, although terms such as “first”, “second”, etc. are used herein to describe different elements, the terms are only used to distinguish elements or operations described in the same technical terms. Unless the context clearly indicates, the terms do not specifically refer to or imply order or sequence, nor are they used to limit the present invention.

Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a beamforming system 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The beamforming system 100 includes a transceiver circuit 110, a switch circuit 120 and a beam generator 130. The transceiver circuit 110 is used for receiving wireless signals or sending wireless signals outwards. The transceiver circuit 110 is electrically connected to the processor C of the beamforming system 100. The processor C is used to perform various operations, and can also be implemented as a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, and an application specific integrated circuit (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC) or logic circuit.

The switch circuit 120 is electrically connected to the transceiver circuit 110. In some embodiments, the switch circuit 120 includes a first switch element 121 and a plurality of second switch elements 122. The first switching element 121 is a one-to-two switch, and the second switching element 122 is two one-to-two switches. Through the first switch element 121 and the second switch element 122, the switch circuit 120 can have a one-to-four selective switching function. The circuit structure of the switch circuit 120 is not limited to the circuit shown in Figure 1, and a one-to-eight switching element (as shown in Figure 1, the switch circuit 120 has eight terminals that can be selectively turned on) can also be used. Or other switching circuits.

Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the beam generator 130 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The beam generator 130 includes a plurality of antenna units 131A to 131D. The antenna units 131A-131D transmit and receive signals according to a plurality of radiation angles, and the radiation angles corresponding to each antenna unit 131A-131D are different from each other. The antenna units 131A to 131D are electrically connected to the four end points of the switch circuit 120. The switch circuit 120 selectively conducts one of the antenna units 131A to 131D to the transceiver circuit 110 according to the control signal sent by the processor C.

When the switch circuit 120 turns on the antenna units 131A to 131D to the transceiver circuit 110, the transceiver circuit 110 can receive or transmit wireless signals through the beam generator 130. The beamforming system 100 selectively turns on one of the antenna units 131 through the switch circuit 120 to adjust the overall radiation direction of the beam generator 130. For example, the radiation angle of the antenna unit 131A corresponds to 5 degrees in the horizontal direction, the radiation angle of the antenna unit 131B corresponds to 16 degrees in the horizontal direction, and the radiation angle of the antenna unit 131C corresponds to 27 degrees in the horizontal direction. The radiation angle of the unit 131D corresponds to 39 degrees in the horizontal direction, but the present disclosure is not limited to this.

For example, when the switch circuit 120 turns on the transceiver circuit 110 to the antenna unit 131A according to the received control signal, the overall radiation direction of the beam generator 130 is the radiation angle of the antenna unit 131A at 5 degrees. Similarly, when the switch circuit 120 conducts the transceiver circuit 110 to the antenna unit 131B according to the received control signal, the overall radiation direction of the beam generator 130 is the radiation angle of the antenna unit 131B of 16 degrees.

In practice, the manufacturing process of the transceiver circuit 110 will have a significant impact on the cost and electrical power conversion efficiency of the beamforming system 100. For example, if the transceiver circuit 110 is made by a silicon germanium (SiGe) process (that is, the internal transistor is made of silicon germanium), the production cost is lower, but the power added efficiency (PAE) is lower ideal. On the other hand, if the transceiver circuit 110 is made with a gallium nitride (GaN) process (That is, the internal transistor is made of gallium nitride material), the power conversion efficiency will be significantly improved, but the cost is also very high.

In one embodiment, the transceiver circuit 110 uses a gallium nitride process to ensure good electrical power conversion efficiency. As shown in Figure 1, because the beamforming system 100 is connected through the switch circuit 120 and selectively turns on the multiple antenna units 131A~131D, only one channel can be configured in the transceiver circuit 110 to generate a high antenna. Gain.

As shown in Figure 1, the transceiver circuit 110, the switch circuit 120 and the beam generator 130 can be used as a "passive" beamforming device 200. "Passive" means that the transceiver circuit 110 does not need to be equipped with an adjustment circuit for adjusting the phase or strength of the signal. The passive beamforming device 200 changes the overall radiation direction of the beam generator 130 through the switching state of the different antenna units 131A to 131D through the switch circuit 120. Accordingly, the accuracy of signal transmission, the efficiency of electrical power conversion, and the production cost can be taken into account.

In an embodiment, the antenna units 131A to 131D may be patch antennas, and the length, area (or wire width) or distribution area of their wires are different from each other, so that each antenna unit is fixed and different from each other. The same radiation angle and radiation field pattern. In some embodiments, the beam generator 130 includes a circuit board P. The antenna units 131A~131D are arranged on the circuit board P. As shown in Figure 2, the circuit board P contains a plurality of feed points P10. The feeding points P10 are connected to each other through the wire P11, so that the feeding point P10 and the wire P11 are used to form the antenna units 131A to 131D. The length, area and distribution area of the wires in each antenna unit 131A~131D are different, so they have different radiation angles (radiation Field type).

In an embodiment, the transceiver circuit 110 includes a first switching circuit 111, a second switching circuit 112, a receiving circuit 113, and a transmitting circuit 114. The receiving circuit 113 and the transmitting circuit 114 are electrically connected between the first switching circuit 111 and the second switching circuit 112. One end of the first switching circuit 111 is electrically connected to the switching circuit 120 to selectively turn on the switching circuit 120 to the receiving circuit 113 or the sending circuit 114. One end of the second switching circuit 112 is electrically connected to the processor C to selectively conduct the processor C to the receiving circuit 113 or the transmitting circuit 114. In other words, the transceiver circuit 110 can selectively transmit the received wireless signal to the processor C or transmit the wireless signal from the processor C to the switch circuit 120 through the first switching circuit 111 and the second switching circuit 112.

In one embodiment, according to the actual test of the inventor, the power consumption of the beamforming system 100 with the "passive" beamforming device 200 is 2.4 watts. The power consumption of other beamforming devices nowadays is between 10 and 15 watts. The effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of the beamforming system 100 also reaches 41 dBm, which is in compliance with the standard. In addition, as mentioned above, since only one channel can be configured in the transceiver circuit 110, the cost of the gallium nitride manufacturing process can be saved.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a schematic diagram of a beamforming system 300 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. In Figure 3, similar elements related to the embodiment in Figure 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals for ease of understanding, and the specific principles of the similar elements have been detailed in the previous paragraphs It is explained that if there is a cooperative operation relationship between the components in FIG. 3 and the introduction is necessary, it will not be repeated here.

In this embodiment, the beamforming system 300 has a “hybrid” architecture, and includes a phase adjustment circuit 310 and a plurality of beamforming devices 200. That is, the phase adjustment circuit 310 can actively adjust the phase and strength of the wireless signal, and the beamforming device 200 passively achieves the purpose of switching the radiation direction through the switch circuit 120. As shown in FIG. 3, the phase adjustment circuit 310 is electrically connected to the processor and the beamforming devices 200, and includes a plurality of phase gain adjusters 311. The phase gain adjuster 311 is used for adjusting the phase of the wireless signal in the first direction according to the adjustment command from the driving circuit 320. In some embodiments, the phase adjustment circuit 310 is used to adjust the signal phase in the "vertical direction". In addition, in some embodiments, the phase adjustment circuit 310 is made of a silicon germanium process, that is, a transistor containing silicon germanium material. Since those skilled in the art can understand the operation principle of the phase adjustment circuit 310, it will not be repeated here. The beamforming device 200 may be the "passive" beamforming device described in the foregoing embodiments. The beamforming device 200 includes a transceiver circuit 210, a switch circuit 120, and a beam generator 130. Since the circuits and operation modes of the switch circuit 120 and the beam generator 130 have been described in the foregoing embodiments, they will not be repeated here.

Specifically, the phase gain adjuster 311 includes a gain adjustment circuit 311a and a phase adjustment circuit 311b, so that the phase gain adjuster 311 first adjusts the gain of the wireless signal and then adjusts the wireless signal after receiving the adjustment command from the drive circuit 320的相。 The phase. Since those skilled in the art can understand the circuit and operation principle of the phase gain adjuster 311, it will not be repeated here. Narrated.

The transceiver circuit 210 of each beamforming device 200 is electrically connected to a phase gain adjuster 311 respectively. Each beam generator 130 in the beam forming device 200 has a different radiation pattern in the second direction. Therefore, the switch element 120 can be selectively connected to one of the antenna units in the beam generator 130 to determine the radiation direction of the beam generator 130 in the second direction. In one embodiment, the beamforming device 200 adjusts the radiation direction of the beam generator 130 in the “horizontal direction” through the switch circuit 120.

As shown in FIG. 3, the phase adjustment circuit 310 can actively adjust the radiation angle of the wireless signal transmitted and received in the first direction through the phase gain adjuster 311. The beamforming device 200 passively adjusts the radiation angle of the wireless signal in the second direction through the switch circuit 120. Accordingly, through the cooperation of active and passive, silicon germanium process and gallium nitride process, good power conversion efficiency can be achieved while taking into account the cost. In addition, since the beamforming system 300 includes a plurality of beamforming devices 200, the beamforming system 300 can achieve a longer transmission distance with the same power consumption.

As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the transceiver circuit 210 includes a first switching circuit 211, a second switching circuit 212, a transmitting circuit 213, and a receiving circuit 214. One end of the first switching circuit 211 is electrically connected to the switching circuit 120. The transmitting circuit 213 and the receiving circuit 214 are electrically connected to the other end of the first switching circuit 211. Both ends of the second switching circuit 212 are electrically connected to one of the phase adjustment circuit 311, the receiving circuit 213, and the transmitting circuit. Circuit 214. The first switching circuit 211 selectively turns on the switch circuit 120 to the receiving circuit 214 or the transmitting circuit 213. The second switching circuit 212 selectively turns on the corresponding phase adjustment circuit 311 to the receiving circuit 214 or the transmitting circuit 213.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram of the beam generator 430 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. In order to avoid the diagrams being too complicated and difficult to identify, the feed points and wires are omitted in Figure 4. In this embodiment, the beam generator 430 includes eight antenna units 431A to 431H. The antenna units 431A to 431H also include a vertical polarization adjustment section VP and a horizontal polarization adjustment section HP. That is, the vertical polarization adjustment section VP of the antenna units 431A to 431H is used to transmit and receive vertical polarization signals. The horizontal polarization adjustment section HP of the antenna units 431A to 431H is used to transmit and receive horizontal polarization signals. In this embodiment, the radiation angles corresponding to the vertical polarization adjustment section VP and the horizontal polarization adjustment section HP of the antenna units 431A to 431H are respectively "39, 27, 16, 5, -5, -16, -27 And -39" degrees, with the function of a dual-polarized antenna.

In one embodiment, the "hybrid" beamforming system 300 includes four channels. That is, there are four beam generators 130. According to the actual test of the inventor, the effective iso-radiated power of the beamforming system 300 can be increased to about 53dBm, and the power consumption is 12 watts. If other beam-forming devices are to achieve the same effective iso-radiated power, the power consumption will be lower. Up to about 40~60 watts.

In some other embodiments, the "hybrid" beamforming system 300 includes eight channels. That is, there are eight beam generators 130. according to According to the test, the effective equivalent radiation power of the beamforming system 300 can be increased to about 59dBm, and the power consumption is 24 watts. If other beamforming devices want to achieve the same effective equivalent radiation power, the power consumption will be as high as about 75~100. Watt, much higher than the content of this disclosure.

The various elements, method steps, or technical features in the foregoing embodiments can be combined with each other, and are not limited to the order of description or presentation of figures in the present disclosure.

Although the content of this disclosure has been disclosed in the above manner, it is not used to limit the content of this disclosure. Anyone who is familiar with this technique can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the content of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure The scope of protection of the content shall be subject to the scope of the attached patent application.

100: Beamforming system

110: Transceiver circuit

111: The first switching circuit

112: second switching circuit

113: receiving circuit

114: sending circuit

120: switch circuit

121: first switching element

122: second switching element

130: beam generator

131A-131D: Antenna unit

200: Beamforming device

210: Transceiver circuit

211: The first switching circuit

212: second switching circuit

213: Sending circuit

214: receiving circuit

300: Beamforming system

310: Phase adjustment circuit

311: Phase gain adjuster

320: drive circuit

430: beam generator

431A-431H: Antenna unit

C: processor

P: Circuit board

P10: Feed point

P11: Wire

VP: Vertical polarization adjustment section

HP: Horizontal polarization adjustment section

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a beamforming system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a beam generator according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a beamforming system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a beam generator according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Domestic deposit information (please note in the order of deposit institution, date and number) without Foreign hosting information (please note in the order of hosting country, institution, date, and number) without

100: Beamforming system

110: Transceiver circuit

111: switching circuit

112: receiving circuit

113: Sending circuit

114: sending circuit

120: switch circuit

121: first switching element

122: second switching element

130: beam generator

131A-131D: Antenna unit

200: Beamforming device

C: processor

Claims (9)

A beamforming system includes: a transceiver circuit; a switch circuit electrically connected to the transceiver circuit; and a beam generator, electrically connected to the switch circuit, including a circuit board and a plurality of antenna units, the antenna unit It is composed of a plurality of patch antennas, wherein a plurality of feed points on the circuit board are connected to each other through a plurality of wires to form the antenna units, and the length, area or distribution area of the wires are different from each other, The antenna units have a plurality of radiation angles to transmit and receive signals, and the radiation angles corresponding to each antenna unit are different from each other. The switch circuit selectively conducts one of the antenna units to The transceiver circuit and the beam generator generate a corresponding radiation direction according to one of the antenna units that are turned on. The beamforming system according to claim 1, wherein the transceiver circuit is used to receive a wireless signal, or send the wireless signal to the outside through the beam generator. The beamforming system according to claim 1, wherein the transceiver circuit is electrically connected to the switch circuit through a first switch 1 and is electrically connected to a processor through a second switch circuit. The beamforming system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving The sending circuit further includes: a switching circuit electrically connected to the switching circuit; a receiving circuit electrically connected to the switching circuit and a processor; and a sending circuit electrically connected to the switching circuit and the processor, The switching circuit selectively turns on the switching circuit to the receiving circuit or the transmitting circuit. A beamforming system includes: a phase adjustment circuit including a plurality of phase gain adjusters for adjusting the phase of a wireless signal in a first direction; and a plurality of beamforming devices, wherein each of the beamforming devices One includes: a transceiver circuit electrically connected to one of the phase gain adjusters; a switch circuit electrically connected to the transceiver circuit; and a beam generator electrically connected to the switch circuit, including A circuit board and a plurality of antenna elements, the antenna element is composed of a plurality of patch antennas, wherein the plurality of feed points on the circuit board are connected to each other through a plurality of wires to form the antenna elements, and the antenna elements are used The length, area, or distribution area of the wires are different from each other, so that the antenna units have multiple radiation angles to transmit and receive the wireless signal, and the radiation angles corresponding to each antenna unit are different from each other, wherein the switch circuit is based on a control signal , Selectively turn on one of the antenna units to the transceiver circuit, and the beam generator is based on the One of them produces a corresponding radiation direction. The beamforming system according to claim 5, wherein the beamforming system selectively turns on one of the antenna elements through the switch circuit to adjust the phase of the wireless signal in a second direction. The beamforming system according to claim 5, wherein the transceiver circuit further comprises: a first switching circuit electrically connected to the switching circuit; a receiving circuit electrically connected to the first switching circuit; and a transmitting circuit, Electrically connected to the first switching circuit; and a second switching circuit electrically connected to one of the phase gain adjusters, the receiving circuit and the transmitting circuit; wherein the first switching circuit is selectively The switch circuit is turned on to the receiving circuit or the transmitting circuit; the second switching circuit is to selectively turn on one of the phase gain adjusters to the receiving circuit or the transmitting circuit. A beamforming system includes: a phase adjustment circuit including a plurality of phase gain adjusters for adjusting the phase of a wireless signal in a first direction; and a plurality of beamforming devices, wherein each of the beamforming devices One includes: a transceiver circuit electrically connected to one of the phase gain adjusters; A switch circuit electrically connected to the transceiver circuit; and a beam generator, electrically connected to the switch circuit, and includes a plurality of antenna units, wherein the antenna units transmit and receive the wireless signal according to a plurality of radiation angles, and The radiation angle corresponding to each antenna unit is different from each other. The switch circuit selectively conducts one of the antenna units to the transceiver circuit according to a control signal; wherein, the transceiver circuit uses a first process Production. The phase adjustment circuit is produced by a second process, and the power conversion efficiency of the transceiver circuit is higher than that of the phase adjustment circuit. The beamforming system according to claim 8, wherein the first process is a gallium nitride process, and the second process is a silicon germanium process.

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