WO2020133219A1

WO2020133219A1 - Method for beamforming and beamforming device

Info

Publication number: WO2020133219A1
Application number: PCT/CN2018/124889
Authority: WO
Inventors: 石晓明; 姚阿敏; 梁宁; 李红宝; 肖宇翔
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2018-12-28
Filing date: 2018-12-28
Publication date: 2020-07-02

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a method for beamforming and a beamforming device, which are used to form multi-leaf beamforming in different directions to obtain a relatively high equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) value. The method is applied to a beamforming device in a single-sector network. The beamforming device comprises an array antenna and radio frequency channels. The array antenna comprises N rows and M columns of antenna units, wherein N>1 and M>4. Each column of antenna units is connected to one radio frequency channel. The method comprises: when a power amplifier is in an on state, obtaining a phase-adjusted radio frequency signal by means of a phase shifter; and transmitting the radio frequency signal by means of the array antenna, and beam scanning to form multi-leaf beamforming in a plurality of different directions, the multi-leaf beamforming in the plurality of different directions covering a field of view of 360°.

Description

Beam forming method and beam forming device

Technical field

The present application relates to the field of antennas, and in particular, to a beam forming method and a beam forming device.

Background technique

Compared with 4G, the working frequency band of 5G is higher. Therefore, the propagation loss and indoor comprehensive penetration loss of the working frequency band of 5G are higher, and the coverage is facing challenges. In order to make up for the coverage disadvantage brought by the 5G working frequency band, the 5G next-generation (mobile communication) (next radio, NR) system has added synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (synchronization signal and and physical broadcast channel channel block, synchronization, signaling, and PBCH block , SSB) control channel beamforming plus beam scanning technology. An existing SSB beam scanning scheme for single-sector networking is: one sector scan covers 360°, the networking is simple, and the cost is low, but the conventional beamforming has a wide beam width, low gain, and low channel power utilization (less than 50 %), which results in a low equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP). As shown in FIG. 1A, there is a schematic diagram of an existing array antenna and single-sector networking. As shown in FIG. 1B, it is a schematic diagram of 8 times of beamforming scanning in the existing single-sector network; as shown in FIG. 1C, 7 times of beamforming scanning in the existing single-sector network. A schematic diagram of.

Summary of the invention

The embodiments of the present application provide a beam forming method and a beam forming device, which are used to form a multi-leaf beam forming in different directions to obtain a relatively high equivalent omnidirectional radiation power EIRP value.

A first aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a beam forming method, which is applied to a beam forming device in a single-sector network. The beam forming device includes an array antenna and a radio frequency channel, and the array antenna includes N Row M columns of antenna elements, where N>1, M>4, each column of antenna elements is connected to a radio frequency channel, the method may include: when the power amplifier is turned on, the phase-adjusted Radio frequency signal; the radio frequency signal is transmitted through the array antenna, and the beam scanning forms multiple multi-leaf beam shapes in different directions, and the multiple multi-leaf beam shapes in different directions cover a 360° field of view.

In the embodiment of the present application, when the power amplifier is turned on, each radio frequency channel can be turned on, and each radio frequency channel is sent out at full power, and the phase shifter can adjust the phase of the input signal to obtain the radio frequency signal Then it is transmitted through the array antenna, and the beam is scanned to form multiple multi-leaf beam forming in different directions. Because it is the multi-leaf beam forming that all antenna elements of the array antenna participate in the work and the beam width is narrow, the gain is relatively high. That is, in the embodiment of the present application, the utilization rate of the radio frequency channel is high, and the gain is relatively high, so the equivalent omnidirectional radiation power is relatively high.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the phase adjustment value of the phase shifter is optimized and solved based on a preset multi-objective optimization function using a multi-objective optimization algorithm. The beam shaping device uses a multi-objective optimization algorithm to solve the preset multi-objective optimization function to obtain the phase adjustment value, which provides a basis for obtaining multiple beamforming.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the multi-objective optimization function includes:

among them,

Among them, A =1, which means that the antenna elements of the M columns of the array antenna all participate in shaping, P ₀ is the output power of the RF channel (unit mW) connected to each column of antenna elements,

Represent different test solutions

The gain value obtained under

Represent different test solutions

The equivalent omnidirectional radiated power EIRP value obtained under

Represent different test solutions

The side lobe value on the azimuth plane φ obtained at the downtilt angle θ ₀ , Gain _d is the predefined expected gain value, EIRP _d is the predefined expected EIRP value, and SLL _d (φ) is the predefined on the azimuth plane Expected sidelobe value, H[■] represents unit step function.

In the embodiment of the present application, the phase adjustment value can be obtained by solving according to the above multi-objective optimization function.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application,

Where φ is each sampling direction point on the 360° field of view, j=1, 2, ... J, J=7or8 are used for 7 or 8 scans respectively, and q≥2 is the number of leaves of the multi-leaf beam, C is a preset constant, which is used to define the size of the main lobe in the desired beamforming pattern.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the method may further include: determining the equivalent omnidirectional radiated power EIRP in all directions in the 360° field of view according to the multi-leaf beamforming in the multiple directions.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application,

Represent different test solutions

The gain value obtained under

Represent different test solutions

Under the EIRP value obtained, Loss is the feeder loss value.

In the embodiments of the present application, a formula for determining EIRP is provided, which provides a specific implementation solution for the technical solution of the present application.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the shape of the array antenna is a cylindrical array, a circular truncated array, a conical array, or a circular-like polyhedron array. The shape of the array antenna in the embodiments of the present application includes but is not limited to a cylindrical array, a circular truncated array, a conical array, or a circular-like polyhedron array.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the multi-leaf beamforming may include two-leaf, three-leaf, four-leaf, five-leaf, or six-leaf beamforming. This embodiment of the present application provides a specific description of multi-leaf beamforming.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the beam scanning of the radio frequency signal by the array antenna to form a multi-leaf beam forming in different directions may include: performing the radio frequency signal by the array antenna. The sub-beam scanning forms 7 multi-leaf beam shapes; according to the 7 multi-leaf beam shapes, the multi-leaf beam shapes in different directions are obtained. The solution in the embodiment of the present application can support 7 beam scans.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the beam scanning of the radio frequency signal by the array antenna to form a multi-leaf beam forming in different directions may include: performing the radio frequency signal by the array antenna 8 The sub-beam scanning forms 8 multi-leaf beam shapes; according to the 8 multi-leaf beam shapes, the multi-leaf beam shapes in different directions are obtained. The solution in the embodiment of the present application may support 8 beam scans.

A second aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a beam forming device, which may include: The beam forming device may include: an array antenna and a radio frequency channel, the array antenna includes N rows and M columns of antenna elements, where N>1 , M>4, each column of antenna units is connected to a radio frequency channel; the radio frequency channel includes: power amplifier and phase shifter;

The phase shifter is used to obtain a phase-adjusted radio frequency signal through the phase shifter when the power amplifier is turned on;

The array antenna is used for transmitting the radio frequency signal through the array antenna, and the beam scanning forms a plurality of multi-leaf beam shapes in different directions, and the plurality of multi-leaf beam shapes in different directions cover a 360° field of view.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the phase adjustment value of the phase shifter is obtained using a multi-objective optimization algorithm based on a preset multi-objective optimization function.

among them,

Represent different test solutions

The gain value obtained under

Represent different test solutions

The equivalent omnidirectional radiated power EIRP value obtained under

Represent different test solutions

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application,

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the beamforming device further includes: a processor;

The processor is used to determine the equivalent omnidirectional radiated power EIRP in all directions in the 360° field of view based on the multi-leaf beamforming in multiple directions.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application,

Represent different test solutions

The gain value obtained under

Represent different test solutions

Under the EIRP value obtained, Loss is the feeder loss value.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the shape of the array antenna is a cylindrical array, a circular truncated array, a conical array, or a circular-like polyhedron array.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the multi-leaf beamforming includes two-leaf, three-leaf, four-leaf, five-leaf, or six-leaf beamforming.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application,

The array antenna is specifically used for performing 7 beam scans on the radio frequency signal through the array antenna to form 7 multi-leaf beam shapes; according to the 7 multi-leaf beam shapes, the multi-leaf beams in different directions are obtained Shaped.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application,

The array antenna is specifically used for performing 8 beam scans on the radio frequency signal through the array antenna to form 8 multi-leaf beam shapes; according to the 8 multi-leaf beam shapes, the multi-leaf beams in different directions are obtained Shaped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an existing array antenna and single-sector networking;

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of beamforming scanning 8 times in the existing single-sector networking;

FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of beamforming scanning 7 times in the existing single-sector networking;

2A is a schematic diagram of a beam forming device in an embodiment of this application;

2B is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a beam forming method in an embodiment of the present application;

3(a) is a schematic diagram of an array antenna included in a beam forming device in an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 3(b) is a schematic top view of the array antenna;

Figure 4 is a top view of a 16T cylindrical array composed of 16 columns of antenna elements;

Fig. 5(a) is a two-leaf beamforming obtained by beamforming when all 16 RF channels of a 16T cylindrical array are connected in a single sector network;

Fig. 5(b) shows another two-leaf beamforming obtained when the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Figure 5(c) is another two-leaf beamforming obtained when the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single sector network;

Fig. 5(d) is another two-leaf beamforming obtained when the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Figure 5(e) shows another two-leaf beamforming obtained when the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Fig. 5(f) shows another two-leaf beamforming obtained when the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single sector network;

Fig. 5(g) shows another two-leaf beamforming obtained when the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single sector network;

Fig. 5(h) shows another two-leaf beamforming obtained when the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Figure 5(i) is the effect diagram of the coverage field of view corresponding to the two-leaf beam forming;

Fig. 6(a) is a two-leaf beamforming obtained when the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Fig. 6(b) shows another two-leaf beamforming obtained when the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Fig. 6(c) shows another two-leaf beamforming obtained when the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array in the single-sector network are connected and turned on;

Fig. 6(d) shows another two-leaf beamforming obtained when the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single sector network;

Fig. 6(e) shows another two-leaf beamforming obtained when the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Fig. 6(f) shows another two-leaf beamforming obtained when the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Fig. 6(g) shows another two-leaf beamforming obtained when the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Figure 6(h) is the effect diagram of the coverage field of view corresponding to the two-leaf beam forming;

7 is a top view of a 24T cylindrical array composed of 24 columns of antenna elements;

Fig. 8(a) is a trilobal beamforming obtained when the 24 RF channels of the 24T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Fig. 8(b) is another trilobal beamforming obtained when the 24 RF channels of the 24T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single sector network;

Fig. 8(c) is another trilobal beamforming obtained when the 24 RF channels of the 24T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single sector network;

Fig. 8(d) is another trilobal beamforming obtained when the 24 RF channels of the 24T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single sector network;

Fig. 8(e) is another trilobal beamforming obtained when the 24 RF channels of the 24T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single sector network;

Figure 8(f) is another trilobal beamforming obtained when the 24 RF channels of the 24T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single sector network;

Figure 8(g) is another trilobal beamforming obtained when the 24 RF channels of the 24T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single sector network;

Figure 8(h) is another trilobal beamforming obtained when the 24 RF channels of the 24T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Figure 8(i) is the effect diagram of the coverage field of view corresponding to the three-leaf beam forming;

9 is a plan view of a 32T cylindrical array composed of 32 columns of antenna elements;

Fig. 10(a) is a four-leaf beamforming obtained when the 32 RF channels of the 32T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Fig. 10(b) is a four-leaf beamforming obtained when the 32 RF channels of the 32T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Fig. 10(c) is a four-leaf beamforming obtained when the 32 RF channels of the 32T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Figure 10(d) is a four-lobed beamforming obtained when the 32 RF channels of the 32T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Fig. 10(e) is a four-leaf beamforming obtained when the 32 RF channels of the 32T cylindrical array in the single-sector network are all connected and turned on;

Fig. 10(f) is a four-leaf beamforming obtained when the 32 RF channels of the 32T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Fig. 10(g) is a four-leaf beamforming obtained when the 32 RF channels of the 32T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Fig. 10(h) is a four-leaf beamforming obtained when the 32 RF channels of the 32T cylindrical array are connected and turned on in a single-sector network;

Fig. 10(i) is the effect diagram of the coverage field of view corresponding to the four-leaf beam forming.

detailed description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative work fall within the protection scope of the present application.

In order to break through the traditional low-cost three-sector networking beam scanning scheme and reduce the cost of 5G NR base station array systems, it is of value to find a low-cost single-sector networking scheme high-performance beam scanning scheme solution.

In order to overcome the high-frequency transmission loss, it is generally to increase the output power of the power amplifier of the transmitter and the antenna gain of the transceiver. Due to the small size of the high-frequency antenna unit, the directional beam can be achieved by combining multiple antenna units into an array, which can increase the gain and receive signal power of the transceiver antenna. This method is also called beamforming. Beamforming is one of the main technical methods to overcome the high-frequency transmission loss.

As shown in FIG. 2A, it is a schematic diagram of a beam forming device in an embodiment of the present application. The beam forming device is applied to a single sector network. The beam forming device may include: an array antenna 101 and a radio frequency channel 102. The array antenna includes N rows and M columns of antenna units, where N>1 and M>4, each column of antenna units is connected to a radio frequency channel 102; it can be understood that the radio frequency channel 102 may also be referred to as a TX radio frequency channel.

The radio frequency channel 102 includes: a power amplifier 1021 and a phase shifter 1022;

The phase shifter 1022 is used to obtain a phase-adjusted radio frequency signal through the phase shifter 1022 when the power amplifier 1021 is in an on state;

The array antenna 101 is used to transmit a radio frequency signal through the array antenna 101, and the beam scanning forms a plurality of multi-leaf beam forming in different directions.

In the embodiment of the present application, when the power amplifier 1021 is turned on, each radio frequency channel 102 can be turned on, and each radio frequency channel 102 is sent out at full power, and the phase shifter 1022 can adjust the phase of the input signal. The obtained radio frequency signal is then transmitted through the array antenna 101, and the beam is scanned to form multiple multi-leaf beam forming in different directions. Because it is a multi-leaf beam forming that all antenna elements of the array antenna participate in the work, the beam width is narrow, and all gains are relatively high. That is, in the embodiment of the present application, the utilization rate of the radio frequency channel is high, and the gain is relatively high, so the equivalent omnidirectional radiation power is relatively high.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application, the phase adjustment value of the phase shifter is obtained by optimization and solution based on a preset multi-objective optimization function using a multi-objective optimization algorithm.

In the following, the EIRP of the beam scanning forming multi-leaf beam forming in different directions is relatively high, which will be specifically described.

First, the formula of EIRP is as follows:

EIRP=P–Loss+Gain (Formula 1)

Where, P is the output power of the transmitter TX RF channel 102 (in dBm), Loss is the feeder loss (in dB), and Gain is the gain of the array antenna 101 (in dBi). In the embodiment of the present application, the phase of the phase shifter is obtained by using the multi-objective optimization algorithm to optimize the design based on the beamforming performance requirements, that is, constructing the corresponding multi-objective optimization function according to the beamforming performance requirements.

The antenna element positions of N rows and M columns of the array antenna 101 can be defined as (x _mn , y _mn , z _mn ), m=1, ..., M, n=1, ..., N, if M columns The antenna elements are distributed in a circle with the same radius R and equal angle Δφ. The spacing of the antenna elements in the same column is _dr , then the coordinate position of each antenna element is:

The radiation factor of each antenna element is EF _mn (θ, φ), which satisfies Equation 3, as follows:

It should be noted that EF _mn (θ, φ) must be a complex number. Then the radiation far-field expression is:

Among them, α _mn is the fixed phase value between the antenna units, used for electric downtilt setting; A _m is the amplitude weight of the mth column,

It is the phase weight of the antenna element in column m, which is the parameter to be optimized, and is used to achieve the desired beamforming.

The expression of the multi-objective optimization function is:

among them,

Among them, A =1, which means that M columns of antenna elements in the array antenna all participate in shaping, P ₀ is the output power of the RF channel (unit mW) connected to each column of antenna elements,

Represent different test solutions

The gain value obtained under

Represent different test solutions

The equivalent omnidirectional radiated power EIRP value obtained under

Represent different test solutions

The side lobe value on the azimuth plane φ obtained at the downtilt angle θ ₀ , Loss is the feeder loss value, Gain _d is the predefined expected gain value, EIRP _d is the predefined expected EIRP value, H[■] represents the unit The step function, SLLd(φ) is the expected sidelobe value pre-defined on the azimuth plane.

SLL _d (φ) is expressed as:

Among them, in formula 10, φ is each sampling direction point on the 360° field of view, j=1, 2, ... J, J=7or8 are used for 7 or 8 scans respectively, and q≥2 is multi-leaf type The number of beam leaves, C is a preset constant used to define the size of the main lobe in the desired beamforming pattern.

The processor is configured to determine the equivalent omnidirectional radiated power EIRP in all directions in the 360° field of view according to the multi-leaf beamforming in different directions.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application,

The array antenna 101 is specifically used for performing 7 beam scans on the radio frequency signal through the array antenna to form 7 multi-leaf beam patterns; according to the 7 multi-leaf beam patterns, the Multi-leaf beamforming.

Optionally, in some embodiments of the present application,

The array antenna 101 is specifically used for performing 8 beam scans on the radio frequency signal through the array antenna to form 8 multi-leaf beam patterns; according to the 8 multi-leaf beam patterns, the Multi-leaf beamforming.

As shown in FIG. 2B, it is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a beam forming method in an embodiment of the present application. The method is applied to a beam forming device in a single-sector network. For the beam forming device, reference may be made to FIG. 2A described above. , No more details here. The method may include:

201. When the power amplifier is in an on state, a phase-adjusted radio frequency signal is obtained through a phase shifter.

In the embodiment of the present application, the phase adjustment value of the phase shifter is obtained through optimization and solution based on a preset multi-objective optimization function using a multi-objective optimization algorithm.

The multi-objective optimization function includes:

among them,

Among them, A =1, which means that the antenna elements of M columns in the array antenna all participate in shaping, and P ₀ is the output power of the RF channel (unit mW) connected to each column of antenna elements,

Represent different test solutions

The gain value obtained under

Represent different test solutions

The equivalent omnidirectional radiated power EIRP value obtained under

Represent different test solutions

Optionally, when the power amplifier is in the on state, the phase shifter obtains 7 phase-adjusted radio frequency signals; or, when the power amplifier is in the on state, the phase shifter obtains 8 phase-adjusted radio frequency signals.

202. Transmit a radio frequency signal through an array antenna, and the beam scanning forms multiple multi-leaf beam shapes in different directions, and the multiple multi-leaf beam shapes in different directions cover a 360° field of view.

It can be understood that, for a radio frequency signal obtained by a phase adjustment value, beam scanning can form a multi-leaf beam shape. To form multiple multi-leaf beam shapes in different directions, multiple phase adjustment values are required. RF signal.

The beam scanning of the radio frequency signal through the array antenna to form multi-leaf beamforming in different directions may include:

(1) Perform 7 beam scans on the radio frequency signal through the array antenna to form 7 multi-leaf beam shapes; obtain the multi-leaf beams in different directions according to the 7 multi-leaf beam shapes Shaped.

or,

(2) Perform 8 beam scans on the radio frequency signal through the array antenna to form 8 multi-leaf beam shapes; obtain the multi-leaf beams in different directions according to the 8 multi-leaf beam shapes Shaped.

203. Determine the equivalent omnidirectional radiated power EIRP according to the multi-leaf beam forming in different directions.

The equivalent omnidirectional radiated power EIRP in all directions in the 360° field of view is determined according to the multi-leaf beamforming in different directions.

Represent different test solutions

The gain value obtained under

Represent different test solutions

Under the EIRP value obtained, Loss is the feeder loss value.

It should be noted that step 203 is an optional step.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), it is a schematic diagram of an array antenna included in a beam forming device in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 3(b), it is a schematic top view of an array antenna.

The technical solutions of the present application will be further described below by way of examples. As shown in Figure 4, it is a top view of a 16T cylindrical array composed of 16 columns of antenna elements. Among them, each column of antenna units is connected to a radio frequency channel. The radio frequency channel includes a power amplifier and a phase shifter. The power amplifiers send input signals at full power. The phase shifter adjusts the phase of the input signal. The phase is based on a multi-objective optimization function (5). All of them are involved in shaping optimization in the antenna 16 column. The obtained radio frequency signal is transmitted through the array antenna 101, and the beam is scanned to form a multi-leaf beam forming in different directions.

Exemplary, Figure 5(a), Figure 5(b), Figure 5(c), Figure 5(d), Figure 5(e), Figure 5(f), Figure 5(g), Figure 5(h ) For the 16 RF channels of the 16T cylindrical array in a single-sector network, the beamforming is obtained when the beamforming is conducted, and the two-leaf beams with different directions are obtained; that is, the beam is scanned 8 times, and the 8 beamformings are obtained. , Just cover the 360° field of view. Fig. 5(i) is the effect diagram of the coverage field of view corresponding to the two-leaf beam forming.

As shown in FIG. 5(a), AntNum=16, indicating that all 16 columns of antenna elements are on, and Gain _max =22.45dBi indicates gain.

Figure 6(a), Figure 6(b), Figure 6(c), Figure 6(d), Figure 6(e), Figure 6(f), and Figure 6(g) are 16T under single sector networking The 16 radio frequency channels of the cylindrical array are connected to the two-leaf beam forming with different directions when the beam forming is turned on; that is, the beam is scanned 7 times, and the 7 beam forming obtained can exactly cover the 360° field of view . Fig. 6(h) is the effect view of the coverage field of view corresponding to the two-leaf beam forming.

Compared with the conventional beamforming of the 16T cylindrical array in Fig. 1, it can be seen that the two-leaf beam widths shown in 5(i) and 6(h) are narrower, so the gain is higher; in addition, because the two In leaf beamforming, all radio frequency channels are turned on, and each radio frequency channel is sent out at full power, so the radio channel power utilization rate is 100%. Therefore, the equivalent isotropic radiation power in the embodiment of the present application is relatively high.

As shown in Figure 7, it is a top view of a 24T cylindrical array consisting of 24 columns of antenna elements. Among them, each column of antenna units is connected to a radio frequency channel. The radio frequency channel 102 includes a power amplifier and a phase shifter. The power amplifiers send input signals at full power, and the phase shifters adjust the phase of the input signals. The phase is based on a multi-objective optimization function (5). All of them are involved in shaping in the antenna 24 column. The radio frequency signal obtained by optimization is transmitted through the array antenna 101, and the beam is scanned to form a multi-leaf beam forming in different directions.

Exemplary, Figure 8(a), Figure 8(b), Figure 8(c), Figure 8(d), Figure 8(e), Figure 8(f), Figure 8(g), Figure 8(h ) For the 24 RF channels of the 24T cylindrical array in a single-sector network, the three-leaf beams with different directions obtained by beamforming when the beamforming is connected; that is, the beam is scanned 8 times, and the 8 beams obtained Shaped, it can just cover the 360° field of view. Fig. 8(i) is a diagram of the effect of the coverage field of view corresponding to the three-lobed beamforming.

Compared with the conventional beamforming of the 16T cylindrical array in FIG. 1 as well, it can be seen that the three-leaf beam width shown in FIG. 8(i) is narrower, so the gain is higher; in addition, because the three-beam beamforming All RF channels are turned on, and each RF channel is sent at full power, so the RF channel power utilization rate is 100%. Therefore, the equivalent isotropic radiation power in the embodiment of the present application is relatively high.

As shown in Figure 9, it is a top view of a 32T cylindrical array composed of 32 columns of antenna elements. Among them, each column of antenna units is connected to a radio frequency channel. The radio frequency channel 102 includes a power amplifier and a phase shifter. The power amplifiers send input signals at full power, and the phase shifters adjust the phase of the input signals. The phase is based on the multi-objective optimization function (5). All of them are involved in shaping in the antenna 32 column. The radio frequency signal obtained by optimization is transmitted through the array antenna 101, and the beam is scanned to form a multi-leaf beam forming in different directions.

Exemplary, Figure 10(a), Figure 10(b), Figure 10(c), Figure 10(d), Figure 10(e), Figure 10(f), Figure 10(g), Figure 10(h ) For the 32 RF channels of the 32T cylindrical array in a single-sector network, the four-leaf beams with different directions are obtained by beamforming when the beam is turned on; that is, the beam is scanned 8 times and the 8 beams obtained Shaped, it can just cover the 360° field of view. Fig. 10(i) is the effect diagram of the coverage field of view corresponding to the four-leaf beam forming.

Compared with the conventional beamforming of the 16T cylindrical array in FIG. 1, it can be seen that the four-leaf beam width shown in FIG. 10(i) is narrower, so the gain is relatively high; in addition, because the four-beam beamforming All RF channels are turned on, and each RF channel is sent at full power, so the RF channel power utilization rate is 100%. Therefore, the equivalent isotropic radiation power in the embodiment of the present application is relatively high.

It should be noted that the observation and comparison of two-leaf beam forming scan (Figure 5(i)), three-leaf beam forming scan (Figure 8(i)) and four-leaf beam forming scan (Figure 10(i) ) Coverage of 360° field of view shows that the beam-beam overlap point is getting closer and closer to 0dB (beam peak value is 0dB), indicating that the gain fluctuation in the coverage area is constantly decreasing, so it can improve cell edge coverage.

It can be understood that, for array antennas formed by different columns of antenna elements, multi-leaf beamforming can be obtained by adjusting the phase shifter.

The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. (if any) in the description and claims of this application and the above drawings are used to distinguish similar objects without using To describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data so used can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in an order other than what is illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, processes, methods, systems, products or equipment that include a series of steps or units need not be limited to those clearly listed Those steps or units, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products, or equipment.

Claims

A beam forming method is applied to a beam forming device in a single-sector network. The beam forming device includes an array antenna and a radio frequency channel. The array antenna includes N rows and M columns of antenna units. Where N>1 and M>4, each column of antenna units is connected to a radio frequency channel. The method includes:

When the power amplifier is in the on state, the phase-adjusted radio frequency signal is obtained through the phase shifter;

The radio frequency signal is transmitted through the array antenna, and the beam scanning forms a plurality of multi-leaf beam shapes in different directions, and the plurality of multi-leaf beam shapes in different directions cover a 360° field of view.
The method of claim 1, wherein:

The phase adjustment value of the phase shifter is obtained by using a multi-objective optimization algorithm based on a preset multi-objective optimization function.
The method according to claim 2, wherein the multi-objective optimization function comprises:

among them,

Among them, A =1, which means that the antenna elements of M columns in the array antenna all participate in shaping, and P 0 is the output power of the RF channel (unit mW) connected to each column of antenna elements,
Represent different test solutions
The gain value obtained under
Represent different test solutions
The equivalent omnidirectional radiated power EIRP value obtained under
Represent different test solutions
The side lobe value on the azimuth plane φ obtained at the downtilt angle θ 0 , Gain d is the predefined expected gain value, EIRP d is the predefined expected EIRP value, and SLL d (φ) is the predefined on the azimuth plane Expected sidelobe value, H[■] represents unit step function.
The method of claim 3, wherein

Where φ is each sampling direction point on the 360° field of view, j=1, 2, ... J, J=7or8 are used for 7 or 8 scans respectively, and q≥2 is the number of leaves of the multi-leaf beam, C is a preset constant, which is used to define the size of the main lobe in the desired beamforming pattern.
The method according to claim 4, wherein the method further comprises:

The equivalent omnidirectional radiated power EIRP in all directions in the 360° field of view is determined according to the multiple multi-leaf beamforming in different directions.
The method of claim 5, wherein:

Among them, A =1, which means that the antenna elements of M columns in the array antenna all participate in shaping, and P 0 is the output power of the RF channel (unit mW) connected to each column of antenna elements,
Represent different test solutions
The gain value obtained under
Represent different test solutions
Under the EIRP value obtained, Loss is the feeder loss value.
The method according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the shape of the array antenna is a cylindrical array, a circular truncated array, a conical array, or a circular-like polyhedron array.
The method according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the multi-leaf beamforming includes two-leaf, three-leaf, four-leaf, five-leaf, or six-leaf beamforming .
The method according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the beam scanning of the radio frequency signal through the array antenna to form a multi-leaf beamforming in different directions includes:

Performing 7 beam scans on the radio frequency signal through the array antenna to form 7 multi-leaf beam forming;

The multi-leaf beamforming in different directions is obtained according to the 7 multi-leaf beamforming.
The method according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the beam scanning of the radio frequency signal through the array antenna to form a multi-leaf beamforming in different directions includes:

Performing 8 beam scans on the radio frequency signal through the array antenna to form 8 multi-leaf beam forming;

The multi-leaf beamforming in different directions is obtained according to the eight multi-leaf beamforming.
A beam forming device is applied to a single-sector network, and is characterized in that the beam forming device includes:

An array antenna and a radio frequency channel. The array antenna includes N rows and M columns of antenna elements, where N>1 and M>4, and each column of antenna elements is connected to a radio frequency channel;

The radio frequency channel includes: a power amplifier and a phase shifter;

The phase shifter is used to obtain a radio frequency signal whose phase is adjusted through the phase shifter when the power amplifier is in an on state;

The array antenna is used for transmitting the radio frequency signal through the array antenna, and the beam scanning forms a plurality of multi-leaf beam forming in different directions, the plurality of multi-leaf beam forming in different directions covers 360° field.
The beam forming device according to claim 11, wherein:

The phase adjustment value of the phase shifter is obtained by using a multi-objective optimization algorithm based on a preset multi-objective optimization function.
The beamforming device according to claim 12, wherein the multi-objective optimization function includes:

among them,

Among them, A =1, which means that the antenna elements of M columns in the array antenna all participate in shaping, and P 0 is the output power of the RF channel (unit mW) connected to each column of antenna elements,
Represent different test solutions
The gain value obtained under
Represent different test solutions
The equivalent omnidirectional radiated power EIRP value obtained under
Represent different test solutions
The side lobe value on the azimuth plane φ obtained at the downtilt angle θ 0 , Gain d is the predefined expected gain value, EIRP d is the predefined expected EIRP value, and SLL d (φ) is the predefined on the azimuth plane Expected sidelobe value, H[■] represents unit step function.
The beam forming device according to claim 13, wherein:

Where φ is each sampling direction point in the 360° field of view, j=1, 2, ... J, J=7or8 are used for 7 or 8 scans respectively, and q≥2 is the number of leaves of the multi-leaf beam, C is a preset constant, which is used to define the size of the main lobe in the desired beamforming pattern.
The beam forming device according to claim 14, wherein the beam forming device further comprises: a processor;

The processor is configured to determine the equivalent omnidirectional radiated power EIRP in all directions in the 360° field of view according to the multi-leaf beamforming in multiple directions.
The beam forming device according to claim 15, wherein:

Among them, A =1, which means that the antenna elements of M columns in the array antenna all participate in shaping, and P 0 is the output power of the RF channel (unit mW) connected to each column of antenna elements,
Represent different test solutions
The gain value obtained under
Represent different test solutions
Under the EIRP value obtained, Loss is the feeder loss value.
The beam shaping device according to any one of claims 11-16, wherein the shape of the array antenna is a cylindrical array, a circular truncated array, a conical array or a circular-like polyhedron array.
The beam forming device according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the multi-leaf beam forming includes a two-leaf type, a three-leaf type, a four-leaf type, a five-leaf type, or a six-leaf type Beamforming.
The beam forming device according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein

The array antenna is specifically used for performing 7 beam scans on the radio frequency signal through the array antenna to form 7 multi-leaf beam patterns; obtaining the different directions according to the 7 multi-leaf beam patterns Multi-leaf beamforming.
The beam forming device according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein

The array antenna is specifically used for performing 8 beam scans on the radio frequency signal through the array antenna to form 8 multi-leaf beam patterns; obtaining the different directions according to the 8 multi-leaf beam patterns Multi-leaf beamforming.