WO2016183797A1

WO2016183797A1 - Phased array chip, and phased array beam scanning method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2016183797A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/079268
Authority: WO
Inventors: 曹杰; 黄煌
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2015-05-19
Filing date: 2015-05-19
Publication date: 2016-11-24
Also published as: CN107615585A

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a phased array chip and a phased array beam scanning method and apparatus, so as to shorten the time required in beam scanning alignment. The phased array chip comprises multiple phase-shift channels, multiple switches, and a control unit. Each phase-shift channel is respectively connected to an antenna. Each switch is connected to at least one phase-shift channel. A switch connected to each phase-shift channel is used for enabling the phase-shift channel to be capable of transmitting a signal when the switch is turned on, and enabling the phase-shift channel to be incapable of transmitting a signal when the switch is turned off. The control unit is used for changing on-off states of the switches, so as to change the space beam combination direction of a signal on an antenna connected to the phased array chip.

Description

Phased array chip, phased array beam scanning method and device

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a phased array chip, a phased array beam scanning method and apparatus.

Background technique

With the demand for a variety of integrated services for wireless services, from voice to multimedia, the demand for wireless network capacity has grown exponentially. Higher requirements are also placed on the data rate of the backhaul network. As one of the backhaul solutions for cellular communication systems, wireless point-to-point communication has moved to microwave and millimeter-wave bands with rich spectrum resources, such as V-band, E-band, etc. These bands can provide service capacity greater than 10 Gbps. In addition, microwave and millimeter wave point-to-point communication systems, in addition to being a backhaul communication solution, will have great potential in high-speed transmission of wireless enterprises and wireless transmission of private networks.

Millimeter wave path loss is very large, requiring more power and higher gain antennas to meet data backhaul applications. In the microwave and millimeter wave frequency band, it is difficult to achieve high power output due to process and cost constraints, but its wavelength is short, so it is easier to achieve high gain narrow beam under the antenna aperture. Due to the large space loss and the narrow beam constraint, the millimeter wave usually works in point-to-point wireless communication under the direct view path scene, and the antenna is strictly aligned, which is difficult to install. In practical applications, even when the communication system is installed, there are many unpredictable factors such as strong winds, earthquakes, changing the state of initial assembly alignment, and if the manual alignment correction is required again, it is greatly improved. System deployment and operation and maintenance costs.

The millimeter-wave phased array technology has automatic beam scanning alignment capability for automatic beam alignment. The main principle is that multiple antennas simultaneously transmit signals of the same wavelength, perform coherent superposition to form a narrow beam with higher gain, and adjust the phase of the signal transmitted by the antenna through a phase shifter in the corresponding channel of the antenna to implement beam scanning. The phase of the signal transmitted by the antenna is adjusted by the phase shifter in the channel corresponding to the antenna, thereby changing the final combined direction of the beam to find the optimal communication path.

However, for large-scale phased arrays, the number of antennas is large, and accordingly, the number of channels corresponding to the antenna is also large, so that the number of phase shifters in the phased array is large, and the shift is made by changing different channels. When the phase value of the phaser is used to achieve beam scanning alignment, the phase switching time of the phase shifter is usually in the order of several tens of nanoseconds, which results in a longer beam scanning alignment.

In summary, when the current phased array technology is used for beam scanning alignment, since the phase shifters in the phased array are many, and the phase shifting of the phase shifters usually takes several tens of nanoseconds, the beam scanning is aligned. The time is long.

Summary of the invention

Embodiments of the present invention provide a phased array chip, a phased array beam scanning method and apparatus for shortening the time required for beam scanning alignment.

In a first aspect, a phased array chip is provided, comprising a plurality of phase shifting channels, a plurality of switches, and a control unit;

Each phase shifting channel is respectively connected with an antenna, and each switch is connected to at least one phase shifting channel;

a switch connected to each phase shifting channel for enabling the phase shifting channel to transmit a signal when turned on, and preventing the phase shifting channel from transmitting a signal when turned off;

The control unit is configured to change a switch state of each switch such that a spatial beamforming direction of a signal on the antenna connected to the phased array chip is changed.

In conjunction with the first aspect, in a first possible implementation, the phased array chip is a transmitting chip, and the transmitting chip further includes a first frequency conversion module and a power dividing network, where the first frequency conversion module is used The received analog baseband signal and the local oscillator signal are mixed and amplified and output to the power dividing network, and the power dividing network is configured to divide the signal output by the first frequency conversion module into multiple signals;

a switch connected to each phase shifting channel, configured to enable a signal after the splitting of the power split network to be sent to the antenna connected to the phase shifting channel through the phase shifting channel when turned on, and to cause the shifting when the power is turned off The signal after the split of the power split network that the phase channel connected antenna cannot receive;

The control unit is configured to change a switch state of each switch to change a spatial beamforming direction of a signal transmitted by the antenna.

With reference to the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the phased array chip is a receiving chip, and the receiving chip further includes a second frequency conversion module and a combined network, where the combining network is used for The signals received by the phase shifting channel are combined and output to the second frequency conversion module, and the second frequency conversion module is configured to mix the signal output by the combined network and mix with the local oscillator signal to generate a simulation. Baseband signal;

a switch connected to each phase shifting channel, configured to enable a signal received by the antenna connected to the phase shifting channel to be sent to the combined network through the phase shifting channel when turned on, and to make the phase shifting channel when turned off The signal received by the connected antenna cannot be sent to the combined network;

The control unit is configured to change a switch state of each switch to change a spatial beamforming direction of a signal received by the combined network.

In combination with the first aspect, in a third possible implementation, the number of phase shifting channels is equal to the number of switches, and each switch is connected to a different phase shifting channel.

In conjunction with the first possible implementation of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation, when the number of phase shifting channels is greater than the number of switches, each switch is connected to a shift in the phase shifting channel of the switch. Between the phaser and the power distribution network.

In conjunction with the second possible implementation of the first aspect, in a fifth possible implementation, when the number of phase shifting channels is greater than the number of switches, each switch is connected to a shift in the phase shifting channel of the switch connection. Between the phaser and the combined network.

In conjunction with the first possible implementation of the first aspect, in a sixth possible implementation, when the number of phase shifting channels is equal to the number of switches, and each switch is connected to a different phase shifting channel, a switch in the array chip, the switch being connected between the phase shifter in the phase shifting channel connected to the switch and the power dividing network, or a phase shifter connected in the phase shifting channel connected to the switch and the switch Between the power amplifiers in the phase shifting channel, or between the power amplifier connected to the phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected, and the antenna to which the phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected is connected.

In conjunction with the second possible implementation of the first aspect, in a seventh possible implementation, when the number of phase shifting channels is equal to the number of switches, and each switch is connected to a different phase shifting channel, a switch in the array chip, the switch being connected to the shift in the phase shifting channel of the switch connection Between the phaser and the combining network, or between the phase shifter connected to the phase shifting channel connected to the switch and the power amplifier in the phase shifting channel connected to the switch, or connected to the phase shifting channel connected to the switch The power amplifier is connected between the antenna to which the phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected.

In a second aspect, a phased array beam scanning method is provided, including:

Determining that the channel quality parameter is less than a preset value;

Adjusting the strength of the signal received by the receiving end by changing the switching state of each switch in the phased array chip;

Determining the top N strongest signals among the signals received by the receiving end;

Determining, in response to one of the determined N signals, a spatial beamforming direction of a signal on the antenna when the receiving end receives the signal;

Each phase shifting channel of the phased array chip is respectively connected to an antenna, and each switch of the phased array chip is connected to at least one phase shifting channel of the phased array chip.

Combine the second aspect. In a first possible implementation manner, after determining the N spatial beam combining directions, the method further includes:

Selecting a beam combining direction from the determined N spatial beam combining directions;

Turning on each switch in the phased array chip;

Adjusting the phase shifters in the phased array chip such that the spatial beamforming direction of the signals on the antennas connected to the phased array chip is along the selected beam combining direction.

In a third aspect, a phased array beam scanning apparatus is provided, including:

a first determining module, configured to determine that a channel quality parameter is less than a preset value;

a first switch control module, configured to adjust a strength of a signal received by the receiving end by changing a switch state of each switch in the phased array chip;

a second determining module, configured to determine a top N of the signals with the highest intensity among the signals received by the receiving end;

a third determining module, configured to determine, according to one of the determined N signals, a spatial beamforming direction of the signal on the antenna when the receiving end receives the signal;

Wherein each phase shifting channel in the phased array chip is respectively connected to an antenna, and the phased array is Each switch in the chip is coupled to at least one phase shifting channel of the phased array chip.

In conjunction with the third aspect, in a first possible implementation, the apparatus further includes:

a selecting module, configured to select one beam combining direction from the determined N spatial beam combining directions;

a second switch control module, configured to turn on each switch in the phased array chip;

And an adjustment module, configured to adjust a phase shifter in the phased array chip, such that a spatial beamforming direction of a signal on the antenna connected to the phased array chip is along the selected beam combining direction.

Advantageous effects of embodiments of the present invention include:

The phased array chip and the phased array beam scanning method and device provided by the embodiments of the present invention change the spatial beamforming direction of the signal on the antenna connected to the phased array chip by changing the switching state of each switch. In order to achieve beam scanning alignment, since the switching time of the switch is smaller than the phase shifter switching time, this reduces the need for beam scanning alignment compared to the existing phased array technology for beam scanning alignment. time.

DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic structural view of a transmitting chip in the prior art;

2 is a schematic structural diagram of a receiving chip in the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a transmitting chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

4 is a schematic structural diagram of a receiving chip according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a second schematic structural diagram of a transmitting chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a second schematic structural diagram of a receiving chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a third schematic structural diagram of a transmitting chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a third schematic structural diagram of a receiving chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a phased array beam scanning method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

10 is a second flowchart of a phased array beam scanning method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a structural diagram of a phased array beam scanning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a second structural diagram of a phased array beam scanning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

The phased array chip and the phased array beam scanning method and device provided by the embodiments of the present invention use the switching time of the switch to be smaller than the switching time of the phase shifter, and the phased array chip is changed by changing the switching state of each switch. The spatial beamforming direction of the signals on the connected antennas changes, thereby enabling beam scanning alignment and reducing the time required for beam scanning alignment.

The existing phased array chip has various structures, wherein the phased array chip of the superheterodyne structure is as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 1 is the transmitting chip 1, and FIG. 2 is the receiving chip 2.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the transmitting chip 1 includes a first frequency conversion module 10, a power distribution network 15 and n phase shifting channels, wherein the first frequency conversion module 10 includes a local oscillator signal (LO, Local Oscillator) 1 and a mixer 11 for mixing the analog baseband signals, a gain amplifying module 12, a mixer 13 for mixing the signals output by the LO2 and the gain amplifying module 12, and a power amplifier 14; each of the phase shifting channels includes a phase shifter (PS, Phase Shifter) 16 and a power amplifier 17, each of which is connected to an antenna 18. The first frequency conversion module 10 processes the analog baseband signal, and the power distribution network 15 splits the signal processed by the first frequency conversion module 10, and outputs the separated signals to different phase shift channels, each The phase shifting channel adjusts the phase of the received signal, and the adjusted signal is transmitted by the antenna.

As shown in FIG. 2, the receiving chip 2 includes a second frequency conversion module 20, a combining network 25, and n phase shifting channels. The second frequency converting module 20 includes a power amplifier 24, and outputs LO2 and power amplifier 24. The signal mixing mixer 23, the gain amplifying module 22, the mixer 21 mixing the signal transmitted by the LO1 and the gain amplifying module 22; each phase shifting channel includes a PS26 and a low noise power amplifier 27. An antenna 28 is connected to each of the phase shifting channels. Each phase shifting channel adjusts the phase of the signal received on the antenna connected to itself, and transmits the phase adjusted signal to the combining network 25, and the combined network 25 combines the received signals. The two inverter modules 20 process the combined signals to generate an analog baseband signal.

The main working principle of the phased array chip shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2 is to control the phase of the PS1, PS2, ... PSn by the control logic to change the beam spatial beamforming direction of the antenna, and realize beam scanning to find Establish communication to the best communication path.

A specific implementation manner of a phased array chip, a phased array beam scanning method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The phased array chip provided by the embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of phase shifting channels, a plurality of switches and a control unit;

The control unit is configured to change a switching state of each switch, so that a spatial beamforming direction of a signal on the antenna connected to the phased array chip is changed, thereby performing beam scanning.

The phased array chip provided by the embodiment of the present invention may be a transmitting chip or a receiving chip. When the phased array chip is a transmitting chip, the control unit changes the switching state of each switch to enable different antennas to transmit signals, thereby changing the spatial beamforming direction of the signals transmitted on the antenna, and performing beam scanning alignment. When the phased array chip is a receiving chip, the control unit changes the switching state of each switch to synthesize signals received by different antennas, so that signals of different directions of the incoming wave can be received and beam scanning alignment can be performed.

When the phased array chip provided by the embodiment of the present invention is a transmitting chip, the phased array chip provided by the embodiment of the present invention is as shown in FIG. 3, and the transmitting chip further includes a first frequency conversion module 31 and a power dividing network 32. The first frequency conversion module 31 is configured to mix and amplify the received analog baseband signal and the local oscillator signal, and then output the signal to the power distribution network 32. The power distribution network 32 is configured to divide the signal output by the first frequency conversion module 31 into multiple Road signal

a switch connected to each phase shifting channel, configured to enable a signal after the splitting of the power dividing network 32 to be transmitted to the antenna 35 connected to the phase shifting channel through the phase shifting channel when turned on, and to cause the shifting when the power is turned off. The phase-connected antenna 35 cannot receive the signal after the split of the power division network 32;

The control unit 36 is configured to change the switching state of each switch to change the spatial beamforming direction of the signal transmitted by the antenna 35.

The switch network 33 in Fig. 3 is composed of a plurality of switches.

When the phased array chip provided by the embodiment of the present invention is a receiving chip, the phased array chip provided by the embodiment of the present invention is as shown in FIG. 4, and the receiving chip further includes a second frequency conversion module 41 and a combined network 42. The road network 42 is configured to combine the signals received from the phase shifting channel 44 and output the signals to the second frequency conversion module 41. The second frequency conversion module 41 is configured to amplify the signals output by the combining network 42 and the local oscillator. Signal mixing generates an analog baseband signal;

a switch connected to each phase shifting channel for transmitting a signal received by the antenna 45 connected to the phase shifting channel to the combining network 42 through the phase shifting channel 44 when turned on, and causing the signal to be turned off when the phase is turned off The signal received by the antenna 45 connected to the phase shifting channel cannot be sent to the combining network 42;

The control unit 46 is configured to change the switching state of each switch to change the spatial beamforming direction of the signal received by the combining network 42.

The switch network 43 in Fig. 4 is composed of a plurality of switches.

The number of switches in the phased array chip provided by the embodiment of the present invention may be smaller than the number of phase shifting channels, or may be equal to the number of phase shifting channels. When the number of switches in the phased array chip is equal to the number of phase shifting channels, each switch is connected to a different phase shifting channel.

When the number of the switches in the phased array chip is smaller than the number of the phase shifting channels, if the phased array chip provided by the embodiment of the present invention is a transmitting chip, the phased array chip provided by the embodiment of the present invention is as shown in FIG. 5 . Each switch is connected between a phase shifter 341 and a power division network 32 in a phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected. A phase shifter 341 and a power amplifier 342 are included in each phase shifting channel in FIG. In FIG. 5, an example is described in which two phase shifting channels are connected by each switch. Of course, the number of phase shifting channels connected by different switches may be different.

When the number of the switches in the phased array chip is smaller than the number of the phase shifting channels, if the phased array chip provided by the embodiment of the present invention is a receiving chip, the phased array chip provided by the embodiment of the present invention is as shown in FIG. Each of the switches is connected between the phase shifter 441 and the combining network 42 in the phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected. A phase shifter 441 and a low noise power amplifier 442 are included in each phase shifting channel in FIG.

When the number of the switches in the phased array chip is equal to the number of phase shifting channels, and each switch is connected to a different phase shifting channel, if the phased array chip provided by the embodiment of the present invention is a transmitting chip, the embodiment of the present invention The phased array chip provided is shown in Figure 7, for a switch in the phased array chip, The switch can be connected between the phase shifter 341 and the power split network 32 in the phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected (the first access position), or can be connected to the phase shifter in the phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected. Between the power amplifier 342 (the second access position) in the phase shifting channel connected to the switch, a power amplifier 342 connected to the phase shifting channel connected to the switch and a phase shifting channel connected to the switch Between the connected antennas 35 (the third access position). Each switch can select any one of the first access location, the second access location, and the third access location, and different switches can select different access locations to access. In FIG. 7, only the access of each switch in the first access location is taken as an example for description.

When the number of the switches in the phased array chip is equal to the number of phase shifting channels, and each switch is connected to a different phase shifting channel, if the phased array chip provided by the embodiment of the present invention is a receiving chip, the embodiment of the present invention The phased array chip is provided as shown in FIG. 8. For one switch in the phased array chip, the switch is connected between the phase shifter 441 and the combining network 42 in the phase shifting channel of the switch connection (fourth) An access location), or connected between the phase shifter 441 in the phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected, and the power amplifier 442 in the phase shifting channel connected to the switch (fifth access position), or connected to the switch The power amplifier 442 in the connected phase shifting channel is connected to the antenna 45 to which the phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected (sixth access position). Each switch can select any one of the fourth access location, the fifth access location, and the sixth access location described above, and different switches can select different access locations to access. In FIG. 8, only the respective switches are connected at the fourth access location as an example for description.

Each of the switches in the transmitting chip shown in FIG. 5 controls two phase shifting channels, and each of the transmitting chips shown in FIG. 7 controls one phase shifting channel. Therefore, in the case where the number of phase shifting channels is the same, FIG. 5 The number of switches in the illustrated transmitting chip is half the number of switches in the transmitting chip shown in FIG. 7. Of course, the flexibility of the transmitting chip shown in FIG. 5 is better than that of FIG. 7 when performing beam scanning alignment. The illustrated transmitting chip has poor flexibility.

Similarly, each switch in the receiving chip shown in FIG. 6 controls two phase shifting channels, and each of the receiving chips shown in FIG. 8 controls one phase shifting channel, and therefore, in the case where the number of phase shifting channels is the same The number of switches in the receiving chip shown in FIG. 6 is the opening in the receiving chip shown in FIG. Half of the number of off, of course, the flexibility of the receiving chip shown in Fig. 6 is inferior to that of the receiving chip shown in Fig. 8 when beam scanning alignment is performed.

The phased array beam scanning method provided by the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9, includes:

S901. Determine that a channel quality parameter is less than a preset value.

S902: Adjusting a strength of a signal received by the receiving end by changing a switching state of each switch in the phased array chip;

S903. Determine a first N strongest signals among the signals received by the receiving end; N is a positive integer;

S904. Determine, for one of the determined N signals, a spatial beamforming direction of a signal on the antenna when the receiving end receives the signal;

S902 is to change the spatial beamforming direction of the signal on the antenna connected to the phased array chip by changing the switching state of each switch in the phased array chip. When the beam is in different directions, the strength of the signal received by the receiving end is different.

The phased array beam scanning method shown in FIG. 9 may be performed by a transmitting chip or by a receiving chip, wherein the receiving end refers to a side that generates an analog baseband signal, that is, a side that includes the receiving chip. When the phased array beam scanning method shown in FIG. 9 is performed by a transmitting chip, the phased array chip in the method shown in FIG. 9 is a transmitting chip. When the phased array beam scanning method shown in FIG. 9 is performed by a receiving chip, the phased array chip in the method shown in FIG. 9 is a receiving chip.

When the phased array beam scanning method shown in FIG. 9 is performed by the transmitting chip, when the channel quality is deteriorated, different switch combinations in the transmitting chip are selected, and different switch combinations can obtain different antenna arrays, and different The array obtains different transmission angle information, and the receiving end can select some transmission angle directions to feed back to the transmitting chip according to the received signal size. When the spatial beam combining direction is along the selected transmission angle direction, the transmitting end including the transmitting chip can be combined with The receiving end communicates.

When the phased array beam scanning method shown in FIG. 9 is performed by the receiving chip, when the received signal quality is deteriorated, different switch combinations in the receiving chip are selected to obtain different antenna arrays. The size of the received signal is determined by different antenna arrays. When the spatial beamforming direction is along the selected receiving angle direction, the receiving end including the receiving chip can communicate with the signal transmitting end.

The phased array beam scanning method shown in FIG. 9 can be used to determine the N beam directions that can be communicated. Further, according to actual requirements, such as requiring minimum system power consumption or minimal interference to other systems, etc. Choose a beam direction that meets your needs.

Therefore, optionally, the phased array beam scanning method provided by the embodiment of the present invention, after determining the N spatial beam combining directions in S904, as shown in FIG. 10, further includes:

S1001: Select one beam combining direction from the determined N spatial beam combining directions;

S1002, turning on each switch in the phased array chip;

S1003: Adjust a phase shifter in the phased array chip such that a spatial beamforming direction of a signal on the antenna connected to the phased array chip is along the selected beam combining direction.

When the phased array beam scanning method shown in FIG. 10 is performed by the transmitting chip, after determining the N transmitting angle direction, an emission angle direction can be selected according to requirements, and then each switch in the transmitting chip is turned on and adjusted. Each phase shifter in the transmitting chip is such that the spatial beamforming direction of the signal transmitted on the antenna connected to the transmitting chip is along the direction of the selected transmission angle as desired.

When the phased array beam scanning method shown in FIG. 10 is performed by the receiving chip, after determining the N receiving angle directions, an incident angle direction can be selected according to requirements, and then each switch in the receiving chip is turned on, and Each phase shifter in the receiving chip is adjusted such that the spatial beamforming direction of the signal received on the antenna connected to the chip is along the direction of the receiving angle selected according to requirements.

Based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a phased array beam scanning device. Since the principle of the device is similar to the phased array beam scanning method, the implementation of the device can be implemented by referring to the foregoing method. , the repetition will not be repeated.

A phased array beam scanning device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11, includes:

The first determining module 111 is configured to determine that the channel quality parameter is less than a preset value;

The first switch control module 112 is configured to adjust the strength of the signal received by the receiving end by changing the switching states of the switches in the phased array chip;

a second determining module 113, configured to determine a signal of the top N strengths of the signals received by the receiving end;

The third determining module 114 is configured to determine, according to one of the determined N signals, a spatial beamforming direction of the signal on the antenna when the receiving end receives the signal;

Optionally, the phased array beam scanning device provided by the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 12, further includes:

The selecting module 121 is configured to select one beam combining direction from the determined N spatial beam combining directions;

a second switch control module 122, configured to turn on each switch in the phased array chip;

The adjusting module 123 is configured to adjust a phase shifter in the phased array chip such that a spatial beamforming direction of a signal on the antenna connected to the phased array chip is along the selected beam combining direction.

The phased array chip, the phased array beam scanning method and the device provided by the embodiments of the present invention can be used in a terminal communication system.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present invention can be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or a combination of software and hardware. Moreover, the invention can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) including computer usable program code.

The present invention has been described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (system), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flowchart illustrations and/or FIG. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine for the execution of instructions for execution by a processor of a computer or other programmable data processing device. To implement the functions specified in one or more blocks of a flow or a flow and/or block diagram of a flowchart Device.

The computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising the instruction device. The apparatus implements the functions specified in one or more blocks of a flow or a flow and/or block diagram of the flowchart.

These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device such that a series of operational steps are performed on a computer or other programmable device to produce computer-implemented processing for execution on a computer or other programmable device. The instructions provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more of the flow or in a block or blocks of a flow diagram.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, it will be understood that Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments and the modifications and

It is apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and modifications of the embodiments of the invention.

Claims

A phased array chip, comprising: a plurality of phase shifting channels, a plurality of switches and a control unit;

Each phase shifting channel is respectively connected with an antenna, and each switch is connected to at least one phase shifting channel;

a switch connected to each phase shifting channel for enabling the phase shifting channel to transmit a signal when turned on, and preventing the phase shifting channel from transmitting a signal when turned off;

The control unit is configured to change a switch state of each switch such that a spatial beamforming direction of a signal on the antenna connected to the phased array chip is changed.
The phased array chip of claim 1 , wherein the phased array chip is a transmitting chip, the transmitting chip further comprises a first frequency conversion module and a power dividing network, wherein the first frequency conversion module is used. After the analog baseband signal and the local oscillator signal are mixed and amplified, and output to the power dividing network, the power dividing network is configured to divide the signal output by the first frequency conversion module into multiple signals;

a switch connected to each phase shifting channel, configured to enable a signal after the splitting of the power split network to be sent to the antenna connected to the phase shifting channel through the phase shifting channel when turned on, and to cause the shifting when the power is turned off The signal after the split of the power split network that the phase channel connected antenna cannot receive;

The control unit is configured to change a switch state of each switch to change a spatial beamforming direction of a signal transmitted by the antenna.
The phased array chip of claim 1 , wherein the phased array chip is a receiving chip, the receiving chip further comprises a second frequency conversion module and a combined network, and the combined network is used for The signal received from the phase shifting channel is combined and output to the second frequency conversion module, and the second frequency conversion module is configured to amplify the signal output by the combined network and mix with the local oscillator signal to generate a signal. Analog baseband signal;

a switch connected to each phase shifting channel, configured to enable a signal received by the antenna connected to the phase shifting channel to be sent to the combined network through the phase shifting channel when turned on, and to make the phase shifting channel when turned off The signal received by the connected antenna cannot be sent to the combined network;

The control unit is configured to change a switch state of each switch to change the combined network connection The spatial beamforming direction of the received signal.
The phased array chip of claim 1 wherein the number of phase shifting channels is equal to the number of switches, each switch being coupled to a different phase shifting channel.
The phased array chip according to claim 2, wherein when the number of phase shifting channels is greater than the number of switches, each of the switches is connected to a phase shifter and a power dividing network in the phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected. between.
The phased array chip according to claim 3, wherein when the number of phase shifting channels is greater than the number of switches, each of the switches is connected to a phase shifter and a combined network in the phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected. between.
The phased array chip according to claim 2, wherein when the number of phase shifting channels is equal to the number of switches and each switch is connected to a different phase shifting channel, for one of the switches in the phased array chip, The switch is connected between the phase shifter in the phase shifting channel connected to the switch and the power dividing network, or a power amplifier connected to the phase shifting channel connected to the phase shifting channel of the switch and the phase shifting channel connected to the switch Between or between the power amplifier connected to the phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected and the antenna to which the phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected is connected.
The phased array chip according to claim 3, wherein when the number of phase shifting channels is equal to the number of switches and each switch is connected to a different phase shifting channel, for one of the switches in the phased array chip, The switch is connected between the phase shifter and the combining network in the phase shifting channel connected to the switch, or the power amplifier in the phase shifting channel connected to the phase shifting channel connected to the switching phase channel of the switch Between or between the power amplifier connected to the phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected and the antenna to which the phase shifting channel to which the switch is connected is connected.
A phased array beam scanning method, comprising:

Determining that the channel quality parameter is less than a preset value;

Adjusting the strength of the signal received by the receiving end by changing the switching state of each switch in the phased array chip;

Determining the top N strongest signals among the signals received by the receiving end;

Determining, when the receiving end receives the signal, one of the determined N signals The spatial beamforming direction of the signal on the line;

Each phase shifting channel of the phased array chip is respectively connected to an antenna, and each switch of the phased array chip is connected to at least one phase shifting channel of the phased array chip.
The method of claim 9, wherein after determining the N spatial beamforming directions, the method further comprises:

Selecting a beam combining direction from the determined N spatial beam combining directions;

Turning on each switch in the phased array chip;

Adjusting the phase shifters in the phased array chip such that the spatial beamforming direction of the signals on the antennas connected to the phased array chip is along the selected beam combining direction.
A phased array beam scanning device, comprising:

a first determining module, configured to determine that a channel quality parameter is less than a preset value;

a first switch control module, configured to adjust a strength of a signal received by the receiving end by changing a switch state of each switch in the phased array chip;

a second determining module, configured to determine a top N of the signals with the highest intensity among the signals received by the receiving end;

a third determining module, configured to determine, according to one of the determined N signals, a spatial beamforming direction of the signal on the antenna when the receiving end receives the signal;

Each phase shifting channel of the phased array chip is respectively connected to an antenna, and each switch of the phased array chip is connected to at least one phase shifting channel of the phased array chip.
The device of claim 11 wherein said device further comprises:

a selecting module, configured to select one beam combining direction from the determined N spatial beam combining directions;

a second switch control module, configured to turn on each switch in the phased array chip;

And an adjustment module, configured to adjust a phase shifter in the phased array chip, such that a spatial beamforming direction of a signal on the antenna connected to the phased array chip is along the selected beam combining direction.