CN111224701B - Beam forming device, method, device and equipment for controlling beam forming - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides a beam forming device, a method, a device and equipment for controlling beam forming. The beam forming device includes: the antenna comprises a baseband unit, a precoding module, at least two groups of channels, S combiner groups and S antenna sub-arrays, wherein each group of channels comprises S channels, each channel comprises a digital-to-analog converter (DAC)/analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a radio frequency transceiving module, a power divider and a phase shifter array which are connected in sequence, and S is an integer greater than or equal to 1; one end of the pre-coding module is connected with the baseband unit, and the other end of the pre-coding module is respectively connected with the DAC/ADC in each channel of the at least two groups of channels; each combiner group in the S combiner groups is respectively connected with at least two phase shifter arrays and an antenna sub-array, each phase shifter array in the at least two phase shifter arrays belongs to different groups of channels, and the phase shifter configuration of each group of channels is mutually independent. The number of terminal devices which can be connected to a satellite is increased.

Description

Beamforming apparatus, method, apparatus and apparatus for controlling beamforming

technical field

The present application relates to the technical field of satellite communications, and in particular, to a beamforming apparatus, a method, apparatus and device for controlling beamforming.

Background technique

In the satellite Internet, terminal devices can communicate with other network devices (eg, core network devices, other terminal devices, etc.) through satellites. Among them, the satellite uses beamforming technology to form spot beam-to-ground coverage, and terminal devices within the coverage of the spot beam can access the satellite and communicate with other network devices through the satellite.

At present, many satellites use adjustable spot beams to cover the ground, that is, the satellites can adjust the direction of the spot beams to cover different geographical areas on the ground at different times. In the prior art, the beamforming device in the satellite is usually a hybrid beamforming device. The subarrays in the hybrid beamforming device can form a subarray pattern at the same time, and the high gain range of the subarray pattern is on the ground. A coverage area can be formed, and several spot beams with higher gain can be further formed in the coverage area by using the digital beamforming technology. Usually only terminal devices within the high-gain coverage area of the subarray pattern can access the satellite. In the above process, due to the small high-gain coverage area, the number of terminal devices that can access the satellite is small.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application provides a beamforming device, a method, device and device for controlling beamforming, which increase the number of terminal devices that can be connected to satellites.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a beamforming apparatus, comprising: a baseband unit, a precoding module, at least two groups of channels, S (S is an integer greater than or equal to 1) combiner groups, and S antenna sub-arrays, Each group of channels includes S channels, and each channel includes a DAC/ADC, a radio frequency transceiver module, a power divider and a phase shifter array connected in sequence, wherein one end of the precoding module is connected to the baseband unit, and the other end of the precoding module is connected are respectively connected with the DAC/ADC in each channel of at least two groups of channels; each combiner group in the S combiner groups is respectively connected with at least two phase shifter arrays and an antenna sub-array, at least two Each phase shifter array in the phase shifter array belongs to different groups of channels, and the phase shifter configurations of each group of channels are independent of each other.

In the beamforming device provided in this application, the phase shifters of each group of channels are configured independently of each other, and one phase shifter configuration can make the beamforming device form a sub-array pattern. When the phase shifters of each group of channels are configured differently , the beamforming device can form at least two sub-array patterns. Since one sub-array pattern corresponds to one high-gain coverage area on the ground, at the same time, at least two high-gain coverage areas can be formed in the service area of the satellite, so that more terminal devices can access the satellite . Further, when the terminal equipment in multiple geographic areas has service requirements at the same time, the satellite only needs to transmit spot beams in the multiple geographic areas at the same time, and there is no need to switch the emission direction of the spot beam, thereby avoiding switching the terminal equipment. business impact.

In a possible implementation, one end of the ith combiner group is connected to the phase shifter array in the ith channel in each group of channels, and the other end of the ith combiner group is connected to the ith antenna Subarray connection, where i is 1,2,...S in sequence.

In a possible implementation, the phase shifter array includes T phase shifters, each combiner group includes T combiners, each antenna sub-array includes T antenna elements, and T is an integer greater than 1 , where one end of the j-th combiner in the i-th combiner group is connected to the j-th phase shifter in the i-th channel in each group of channels, and the j-th phase shifter in the i-th combiner group is connected The other end of each combiner is connected to the jth antenna unit in the ith antenna subarray, where i is 1, 2, ... S in sequence, and j is 1, 2, ... T in sequence.

In a possible implementation manner, the phase shifter array includes T phase shifters, wherein the power dividers are respectively connected to the T phase shifters, and the power dividers are used to divide the signal received from the radio frequency transceiver module into T pieces signal, and send the kth signal in the T signals to the kth phase shifter in the T phase shifters, where k is 1, 2, ... T in sequence; the power divider is also used to shift the signals from the T The signal received by the phaser is synthesized into a signal, and a signal is sent to the radio frequency transceiver module.

In a possible implementation manner, the at least two groups of channels include at least one of a time division duplex TDD channel group and a frequency division duplex FDD channel group, wherein the TDD channel group includes S TDD channels, and the FDD channel group Including S FDD channels.

When there are both TDD mode terminal equipment and FDD mode user terminals in the service area of the satellite, the information of the TDD mode terminal equipment in the service area (such as the number of terminal equipment, the service of the terminal equipment, the priority of the terminal equipment, etc. ) Determine the phase shifter configuration in the TDD channel group, and transmit the spot beam according to the phase shifter configuration in the TDD channel group, so that the spot beam covers the terminal equipment in the TDD mode. Determine the phase shifter configuration in the FDD channel group according to the information of the terminal equipment in the FDD mode in the service area (such as the number of terminal equipment, the service of the terminal equipment, the priority of the terminal equipment, etc.), and according to the phase shifter in the FDD channel group The transmitter configures the transmit spot beam so that the spot beam covers the terminal equipment in FDD mode. Further, the number of data streams allocated to each group of channels can also be determined according to the information of the terminal equipment in the TDD mode and the information of the terminal equipment in the FDD mode, so that the beamforming apparatus can be simultaneously configured for two modes (TDD mode and FDD mode). mode) for terminal device services.

In a possible implementation manner, the input end of the DAC is connected to the precoding module, and the output end of the DAC is connected to the radio frequency transceiver module. The input end of the ADC is connected to the radio frequency transceiver module, and the output end of the ADC is connected to the precoding module.

In a possible implementation, the TDD channel includes an ADC, a DAC, a power amplifier PA, a low noise amplifier LNA, a link selector, a radio frequency transceiver module, a power divider and a phase shifter array, wherein the output end of the DAC It is connected to the input end of the PA, the output end of the PA is connected to one end of the link selector, and the other end of the link selector is connected to the radio frequency transceiver module. One end of the link selector is also connected with the input end of the LNA, the output end of the LNA is also connected with the input end of the ADC, and the output end of the ADC is connected with the precoding module.

In a possible implementation, the FDD channel includes an ADC, a DAC, a PA, an LNA, a circulator, a radio frequency transceiver module, a power divider and an array of phase shifters, wherein the output end of the DAC is connected to the input end of the PA, The output end of the PA is connected to one end of the circulator and the other end of the circulator is connected to the radio frequency transceiver module. One end of the circulator is also connected to the input end of the LNA, the output end of the LNA is also connected to the input end of the ADC, and the output end of the ADC is connected to the precoding module.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for controlling beamforming, which is applied to a first satellite. The beamforming device of the first satellite includes at least two groups of channels, and the phase shifters in each group of channels are configured independently of each other. The method includes: : determine at least two geographic areas to be covered; according to the at least two geographic areas, determine the configuration information of the phase shifters in each group of channels in the beamforming device and the encoding information of the precoding module in the beamforming device, the encoding information includes The amplitude weight and phase weight of each spot beam; according to the configuration information and coding information, the beamforming device is controlled to transmit the spot beam.

In the above process, since the beamforming device includes two groups of channels, phase shifters are configured for the two groups of channels respectively, so that the first satellite can cover area 1 through channel group 1 and cover area 2 through channel group 2. That is, at the same time, the first satellite can form two high-gain coverage areas in the service area, so that more terminal devices can access the satellite. The first satellite does not need to switch the high-gain coverage area between the area 1 and the area 2, thereby avoiding the impact on the service of the terminal equipment.

In a possible implementation manner, determining the configuration information of the phase shifters in each group of channels in the beamforming apparatus according to at least two geographical regions includes: determining a geographical region corresponding to each group of channels; According to the sub-array pattern corresponding to the i-th geographical area, determine the configuration information of the phase shifter in the i-th group of channels, the i-th geographical area corresponds to the i-th group of channels, and i is 1 in turn, 2, ..., N, the beamforming device includes N groups of channels, where N is an integer greater than 1.

In the above process, for each geographical area, first determine the sub-array pattern corresponding to the geographical area, and then determine the configuration information of the phase shifter in the channel corresponding to the geographical area according to the sub-array pattern corresponding to the geographical area, so that it is possible to Accurate determination results in the configuration information of the phase shifters in each channel.

In a possible implementation manner, determining a geographic area corresponding to each group of channels includes: determining a type of each geographic area, where the type of geographic area includes a first type and a second type, and the geographic area of the first type includes time division Terminal equipment in duplex TDD mode, the second type of geographical area includes terminal equipment in frequency division duplex FDD mode; according to the type of each geographical area, determine the geographical area corresponding to each group of channels in the beamforming device of the first satellite , wherein the TDD channel group corresponds to the first type of geographic area, and the FDD channel group corresponds to the second type of geographic area.

In the above process, when the geographical area includes the terminal equipment in the TDD mode, it is determined that the TDD channel corresponds to the geographical area. When the geographic area includes terminal devices in the FDD mode, it is determined that the FDD channel corresponds to the geographic area. Furthermore, the beamforming device can be controlled to perform accurate beamforming.

In a possible implementation manner, determining the coding information of the precoding module in the beamforming apparatus according to at least two geographic areas includes: determining a spot beam corresponding to each geographic area; according to the spot beam corresponding to each geographic area, Determine the forming direction of each spot beam, and the forming direction of the spot beam corresponding to a geographical area is located in the sub-array pattern of the geographical area; according to the forming direction of each spot beam, determine the encoding information of the precoding module in the beamforming device .

In the above process, for each geographical area, the forming direction of the spot beam corresponding to the geographical area is determined, so that the forming direction of the spot beam corresponding to the geographical area is located in the sub-array pattern of the geographical area, so that the spot beam can be formed according to the The accurate determination of the shaping direction of the precoding module obtains the coding information of the precoding module.

In a possible implementation manner, determining the spot beam corresponding to each geographical area includes: according to at least one of the number of terminal devices in each geographical area or the service information of the terminal devices in each geographical area, Determine the spot beams corresponding to each geographic area.

In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: determining that the first terminal device is located in an overlapping area of the geographic areas covered by the first satellite and the second satellite, the first satellite moves away from the first terminal device, and the second satellite moves away from the first terminal device. The satellite moves in a direction close to the first terminal device; the first handover instruction information is sent to the second satellite, where the first handover instruction information includes the position of the first terminal device, and the first handover instruction information is used to instruct the second satellite according to the first The position of the terminal device adjusts the spot beam direction.

In the above process, in the process of switching the terminal equipment from the first satellite to the second satellite, it is only necessary to adjust the directions of part of the spot beams of the first satellite and the second satellite, and there is no need to interrupt other terminals within the coverage of the first satellite. The service of the equipment does not need to interrupt the service of other terminal equipment within the coverage of the second satellite, thereby improving the reliability of the satellite handover.

In a possible implementation manner, after sending the first handover instruction information to the second satellite, the method further includes: receiving a first handover response message sent by the second satellite, where the first handover response message is used to instruct the first terminal device to switch to The second satellite; according to the first handover response message, release the spot beam covering the first terminal device.

In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving second handover indication information sent by a third satellite, where the second handover indication information includes the position of the second terminal device; adjusting the first satellite according to the position of the second terminal device direction of the spot beam, so that the spot beam of the first satellite covers the second terminal device.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: a terminal device determining a coverage area of a first spot beam, where the first spot beam is a spot beam transmitted by a first satellite, and the beamforming apparatus of the first satellite includes At least two groups of channels, the phase shifters in each group of channels are configured independently of each other, and the first spot beam is the first satellite according to the configuration information of the phase shifters in each group of channels in the beamforming device and the precoding module in the beamforming device The encoded information includes the amplitude weight and phase weight of each spot beam; the terminal device accesses the first satellite through the first spot beam.

In a possible implementation manner, the configuration information and the coding information are determined and obtained by the first satellite according to the position of the terminal device.

In the above process, the beamforming device of the first satellite includes at least two groups of channels, the phase shifters in each group of channels are configured independently of each other, and one phase shifter configuration can make the beamforming device form a sub-array pattern. When the phase shifters of each group of channels are configured differently, the beamforming device can form at least two sub-array patterns. Since one sub-array pattern corresponds to one high-gain coverage area on the ground, at the same time, at least two high-gain coverage areas can be formed in the service area of the satellite, so that more terminal devices can access the satellite . Further, when the terminal equipment in multiple geographic areas has service requirements at the same time, the satellite only needs to transmit spot beams in the multiple geographic areas at the same time, and there is no need to switch the emission direction of the spot beam, thereby avoiding the need for terminal equipment. business impact.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides an apparatus for controlling beamforming, which is applied to a first satellite. The beamforming apparatus of the first satellite includes at least two groups of channels, and the phase shifters in each group of channels are configured independently of each other, so The device includes a first determination module, a second determination module and a control module, wherein,

The first determining module is configured to determine at least two geographic areas to be covered;

The second determining module is configured to, according to the at least two geographic regions, determine the configuration information of the phase shifters in each group of channels in the beamforming device and the coding information of the precoding module in the beamforming device , the encoded information includes the amplitude weight and phase weight of each spot beam;

The control module is configured to control the beamforming apparatus to transmit spot beams according to the configuration information and the encoding information.

In a possible implementation manner, the second determining module is specifically configured to:

Determine the geographic area corresponding to each group of channels;

Determine the sub-array pattern corresponding to each geographic area;

According to the sub-array pattern corresponding to the ith geographical area, the configuration information of the phase shifters in the ith group of channels is determined, the ith geographical area corresponds to the ith group of channels, and the i is 1, 2, . . . , N, the beamforming device includes N groups of channels, where N is an integer greater than 1.

In a possible implementation manner, the first determining module is used for:

Determine the type of each geographic area, the types of the geographic area include a first type and a second type, the geographic area of the first type includes terminal equipment in the time division duplex TDD mode, the geographic area of the second type Including terminal equipment in frequency division duplex FDD mode;

According to the type of each geographic area, determine the geographic area corresponding to each group of channels in the beamforming device of the first satellite, wherein the TDD channel group corresponds to the first type of geographic area, and the FDD channel group corresponds to the second type of geographic area .

In a possible implementation manner, the second determining module is used for:

Determine the spot beams corresponding to each geographic area;

Determine the forming direction of each spot beam according to the spot beam corresponding to each geographical area, and the forming direction of the spot beam corresponding to a geographical area is located in the sub-array pattern of the geographical area;

According to the forming direction of each spot beam, the coding information of the precoding module in the beam forming apparatus is determined.

In a possible implementation manner, the second determining module is used for:

The spot beam corresponding to each geographical area is determined according to at least one of the number of terminal devices in each geographical area or the service information of the terminal devices in each geographical area.

In a possible implementation manner, the apparatus further includes a third determining module and a sending module, wherein,

The third determining module is configured to determine that the first terminal device is located in the overlapping area of the geographic area covered by the first satellite and the second satellite, and the first satellite moves in a direction away from the first terminal device, the second satellite moves in a direction close to the first terminal device;

The sending module is configured to send first handover indication information to the second satellite, where the first handover indication information includes the location of the first terminal device, and the first handover indication information is used to indicate the The second satellite adjusts the spot beam direction according to the position of the first terminal device.

In a possible implementation manner, the apparatus further includes a receiving module, wherein,

The receiving module is configured to, after the sending module sends the first handover instruction information to the second satellite, receive a first handover response message sent by the second satellite, where the first handover response message is used to indicate the first terminal device is switched to the second satellite;

The control module is further configured to release the spot beam covering the first terminal device according to the first handover response message.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving module is further configured to receive second handover indication information sent by a third satellite, where the second handover indication information includes the location of the second terminal device;

The control module is further configured to adjust the direction of the spot beam of the first satellite according to the position of the second terminal device, so that the spot beam of the first satellite covers the second terminal device.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, including a determination module and an access module, wherein,

The determining module is configured to determine the coverage of a first spot beam, where the first spot beam is a spot beam transmitted by the first satellite, and the beam forming device of the first satellite includes at least two groups of channels, The configuration of the phase shifters in each group of channels is independent of each other, and the first spot beam is the first satellite according to the configuration information of the phase shifters in each group of channels in the beamforming device and the The coding information of the precoding module is determined and obtained, and the coding information includes the amplitude weight and the phase weight of each spot beam;

The access module is configured to access the first satellite through the first spot beam.

In a possible implementation manner, the configuration information and the encoding information are determined and obtained by the first satellite according to the position of the terminal device.

In a sixth aspect, the present application provides an apparatus for controlling beamforming, which is characterized in that it includes a memory and a processor, and the processor executes program instructions in the memory, so as to implement the method described in any one of the first aspect. A method of controlling beamforming.

In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is characterized by comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the processor executes program instructions in the memory to implement the communication method according to any one of the second aspect.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a storage medium, wherein the storage medium is used to store a computer program, and the computer program is used to implement the method for controlling beamforming according to any one of the first aspect.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a storage medium, wherein the storage medium is used to store a computer program, and the computer program is used to implement the communication method according to any one of the second aspect.

According to a tenth aspect, the present application provides a satellite, including the beamforming apparatus according to any one of the first aspect and the beamforming control apparatus according to the sixth aspect.

The beamforming device, the method, the device and the device for controlling the beamforming provided by the present application, the beamforming device includes multiple groups of channels, and the phase shifter configuration of each channel group is independent of each other, and one phase shifter configuration can make the beamforming device form A sub-array pattern, when the phase shifters of each group of channels are configured differently, the beamforming device can form at least two sub-array patterns. Since one sub-array pattern corresponds to one high-gain coverage area on the ground, at the same time, at least two high-gain coverage areas can be formed in the service area of the satellite, so that more terminal devices can access the satellite . Further, when the terminal equipment in multiple geographic areas has service requirements at the same time, the satellite only needs to transmit spot beams in the multiple geographic areas at the same time, and there is no need to switch the emission direction of the spot beam, thereby avoiding switching the terminal equipment. business impact.

Description of drawings

1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by the present application;

2 is a schematic diagram of a satellite transmitting adjustable spot beam provided by the present application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a beamforming apparatus provided by the application;

4 is a schematic structural diagram of a channel provided by the application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another beamforming apparatus provided by the application;

6 is a schematic structural diagram of a TDD channel provided by the present application;

7 is a schematic structural diagram of an FDD channel provided by the application;

8 is a schematic diagram of a spot beam provided by the present application;

9 is a schematic flowchart of a method for controlling beamforming provided by the present application;

9A is a schematic diagram of a sub-array pattern provided by the present application;

FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram of beam distribution provided by this application;

10B is a schematic diagram of another spot beam provided by the present application;

11 is a schematic flowchart of another method for controlling beamforming provided by the present application;

12 is a schematic diagram of satellite switching provided by the present application;

13 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application;

14 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for controlling beamforming provided by the present application;

15 is a schematic structural diagram of another apparatus for controlling beamforming provided by the present application;

16 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

17 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the apparatus for controlling beamforming provided by the present application;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the communication device provided by the present application.

Detailed ways

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by the present application. Referring to FIG. 1 , it includes a satellite 101 , a terminal device (terminal device) 102 , a gateway (Gate Way, GW) 103 and a core network 104 .

The satellite 101 may transmit multiple spot beams at the same time, each spot beam may cover a geographic area, the multiple spot beams may cover different areas, and the geographic areas on the ground covered by different spot beams may have overlapping areas. For example, the satellite 101 may transmit three spot beams at the same time, and the three spot beams cover geographic area A, geographic area B and geographic area C of the ground, respectively. The geographic areas shown in this application may include aerial areas, marine areas, and land areas (including remote areas).

The terminal equipment 102 includes, but is not limited to, a mobile station (MS, Mobile Station), a mobile terminal (Mobile Terminal), a mobile telephone (Mobile Telephone), a mobile phone (handset), a portable equipment (portable equipment), a vehicle-mounted mobile device or equipment, and the like. When the terminal device 102 is located within the coverage area of the spot beam of the satellite 101 , the terminal device 102 can access the satellite 101 through.

The gateway 103 is set on the ground, and the gateway 103 can establish communication with the satellite 101. For example, the satellite 101 can communicate with the gateway 103 through the feeder circuit, and the gateway 103 can also establish communication with the core network 104 on the ground, so that the satellite 101 can pass through the gateway. 103 is connected to the core network 104 .

It should be noted that FIG. 1 only illustrates an application scenario in the form of an example, and the technical solutions shown in this application may also be applied to other scenarios, which are not specifically limited in this application.

In practical application, satellites can transmit spot beams in fixed spot beam mode or adjustable spot beam mode. When a satellite transmits a spot beam by means of a fixed spot beam, the satellite transmits the spot beam according to the geographic area it serves (or covers), so that the spot beam can fully cover the geographic area it serves in real time. For example, each satellite in the Iridium system is equipped with 48 L-band fixed spot beams, and the 48 L-band fixed spot beams can fully cover the service area of the satellite in real time. When the satellite transmits the spot beam through the adjustable spot beam, the spot beam transmitted by the satellite cannot fully cover the service area of the satellite in real time. Spot beams cover terminal equipment that has business needs in its service area. For example, each satellite in the other 3 billion (O3b) system is equipped with 12 Ka-band tunable spot beams. At the same time, the 12 Ka-band tunable spot beams cannot completely cover the service area of the satellite, but A satellite can adjust the steerable spot beam it transmits so that the steerable spot beam covers different areas within its service area.

The technical solutions shown in the present application can be applied to the scene of tunable spot beams. In order to facilitate the understanding of the present application, the following describes the process of transmitting tunable spot beams by satellites in further detail with reference to FIG. 2 .

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a satellite transmitting a tunable spot beam provided by the present application. Referring to FIG. 2 , the service area of the satellite 201 is the service area X, and at the same time, the high-gain coverage area of the satellite 201 is a part of the service area X. For example, the service area X of the satellite 201 may be several thousand square kilometers, while the high gain coverage area of the satellite 201 is usually several tens of square kilometers. It is assumed that the number M of spot beams transmitted by the satellite 201 at the same time is 16. Of course, M may also be other values, which are not specifically limited in this application.

In a practical application process, the satellite 201 may periodically scan its service area X, so that the high-gain coverage area of the satellite 201 covers different areas in the service area X. During the scanning process of the satellite 201, the satellite 201 can determine the terminal equipment with service requirements. For example, during the satellite scanning process, when the terminal equipment located in the high-gain coverage area has service requirements, the terminal equipment can request Access satellite 201. The satellite 201 can adjust the direction of the transmitted spot beam according to the position of the terminal equipment with service requirements, so that the transmitted spot beam covers the terminal equipment with service requirements.

For example, at time T1, assuming that the terminal equipment in the geographic area X1 has service requirements, the satellite 202 can determine the sub-array pattern according to the geographic area X1, and determine the configuration information according to the sub-array pattern, and adjust its transmission point according to the configuration information. The direction of the beam is so that the transmitted spot beams cover the area X1, please refer to FIG. 2, at time T1, the 16 spot beams transmitted by the satellite 201 cover the geographic area X1. At time T2, assuming that the terminal equipment in the geographical area X2 has service requirements, the satellite 202 can determine the sub-array pattern according to the geographical area X2, and determine the configuration information according to the sub-array pattern, and adjust the transmission spot beam according to the configuration information. direction, so that the transmitted spot beams cover the area X2, please refer to FIG. 2, at time T2, the 16 spot beams transmitted by the satellite 201 cover the geographic area X2.

The high-gain coverage area of the satellite shown in this application refers to an area where the gain is within a preset range. For example, the high-gain coverage area may be a coverage area with a gain of (A-3)dB to AdB, where A is the maximum gain. In the high-gain coverage area, the satellite signal received by the terminal equipment is strong, so that the terminal equipment can perform data communication services with the satellite 201 . In the service area of the satellite, the area other than the high-gain coverage area is the low-gain coverage area. In the low-gain coverage area, the satellite signal received by the terminal device is weak, and the terminal device may not be able to communicate with the weak satellite signal according to the weaker satellite signal. The satellite 201 conducts data communication services.

In practical application, one sub-array pattern corresponds to one geographic area. If the satellite can only form one sub-array pattern at the same time, correspondingly, the satellite can only cover one geographic area within its service area at the same time, resulting in a small number of terminal devices that can access the satellite. Further, when terminal devices in different geographical areas in the satellite's service area have service requirements at the same time, the satellite needs to perform high-gain coverage switching, so that different terminal devices can complete services. For example, referring to FIG. 2 , in the T1 time slot, multiple terminal devices in the geographic area X1 have service requirements, and the multiple terminal devices are all located in the high-gain coverage area (spot beam coverage area) of the satellite. Assuming that in the T2 time slot, a high-priority terminal device in the geographic area X2 has service requirements, and the services of the multiple terminal devices are not completed, the satellite needs to disconnect from the multiple terminal devices in the geographic area X1. Connect and adjust the spot beam direction so that a terminal device in geographic area X2 accesses the satellite. After the service processing of the terminal equipment in the geographic area X2 is completed, the spot beam direction is adjusted, the connection with one terminal equipment in the geographic area X2 is disconnected, and multiple terminal equipments in the geographic area X1 are connected to the satellite.

Based on the above problems, the present application provides a beamforming device installed in a satellite, the beamforming device can form at least two sub-array patterns at the same time, so that the satellite can at least cover at least two parts of its service area at the same time a geographic area. In this way, at the same time, at least two high-gain coverage areas can be formed in the service area of the satellite, so that more terminal devices can access the satellite. Further, when the terminal equipment in multiple geographic areas has service requirements at the same time, the satellite only needs to transmit spot beams in the multiple geographic areas at the same time, and there is no need to switch the emission direction of the spot beam, thereby avoiding the need for terminal equipment. business impact.

Hereinafter, the technical solutions shown in the present application will be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. It should be noted that the following specific embodiments may exist independently or may be combined with each other, and the same or similar content will not be repeatedly described in different embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a beamforming apparatus provided by the present application. FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a channel provided by the present application. The beamforming apparatus shown in FIG. 3 may be provided in a satellite, and the channel shown in FIG. 4 is a part of the beamforming apparatus shown in FIG. 3 .

3-4, the beamforming apparatus may include a baseband unit 301, a precoding module 302, at least two groups of channels 303, S combiner groups 304 and S antenna sub-arrays 305, wherein each group of channels 303 It includes S channels, and each channel includes a digital to analog converter (DAC)/analog to digital converter (ADC), a radio frequency transceiver module, a power divider and a phase shifter array connected in sequence, S is an integer greater than or equal to 1. One end of the precoding module is connected to the baseband unit, and the other end of the precoding module is respectively connected to the DAC/ADC in each of the at least two groups of channels. Each of the S combiner groups is respectively connected to at least two phase shifter arrays and one antenna sub-array, and each of the at least two phase shifter arrays belongs to different groups of channels , the phase shifter configuration of each group of channels is independent of each other.

Optionally, the baseband unit may be a field-programmable gate array (Field-Programmable Gate Array, FPGA) module.

The baseband unit is connected to the precoding module, and the baseband unit can generate a baseband signal and send the baseband signal to the precoding module. The baseband unit can send multiple baseband signals (data streams) at the same time. The number of data streams sent by the baseband unit is the same as the number of spot beams that the satellite can transmit. Each data stream sent by the baseband unit can form a spot beam.

For example, assuming that the satellite can transmit M (M is an integer greater than 1) spot beams, the baseband unit can transmit M data streams simultaneously, and the M data streams can form M spot beams.

The baseband unit can also receive the digital signal sent by the precoding module and process the digital signal. For example, the baseband unit can convert digital signals to baseband signals.

One end of the precoding module is connected to the baseband unit, and the other end of the precoding module is respectively connected to the DAC/ADC in each of the at least two groups of channels. The precoding module can receive multiple data streams (baseband signals) sent by the baseband unit, determine a channel corresponding to each data stream, and send the data stream to the corresponding channel. For example, the precoding module may determine a channel group corresponding to each data stream, and send the data stream to all channels in the channel group. One data stream may correspond to one channel group, that is, one data stream corresponds to a group of channels.

Optionally, the precoding module (or other components in the satellite) can determine the forming direction of each spot beam according to the geographical area to be covered, and determine the selection of each element in the data precoding matrix according to the forming direction of each spot beam. value. The precoding module can control the amplitude and phase of the data stream sent to each channel according to the value of each element in the digital precoding matrix, thereby realizing the effect of digital beamforming.

For example, assuming that a group of channels includes S channels, for any data stream 1, the data stream 1 corresponds to the first group of channels, and the S channels in the first group of channels are respectively recorded as channel 11, channel 12, ... , channel 1S, the data precoding matrix corresponding to the data stream 1 includes S weight values, which are respectively denoted as w(1,1), w(1,2), ..., w(1,S), then you can Process data stream 1 through w(1,1), and send the processed data stream 1 to channel 11, process data stream 1 through w(1,2), and send the processed data stream 1 To channel 12, ..., process data stream 1 through w(1, S), and send the processed data stream 1 to channel 1S.

Optionally, the number of channel groups included in the beamforming device is at least two, for example, the number of channel groups may be 2, 3, 4, etc. The number of channel groups needs to be set.

It should be noted that each group of channels includes S channels, and the structure of each channel may be the same. For any channel in any group of channels among the multiple groups of channels, please refer to Figure 4, the DAC/ADC, the radio frequency transceiver module, the power divider and the phase shifter array are connected in sequence.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the input end of the DAC is connected to the precoding module, and the output end of the DAC is connected to the radio frequency transceiver module. The input end of the ADC is connected to the radio frequency transceiver module, and the output end of the ADC is connected to the precoding module.

Optionally, when the beamforming device transmits a signal, the DAC starts working and the ADC stops working; when the beamforming device receives a signal, the DAC stops working and the ADC starts working. That is, in the process of transmitting the signal by the beamforming device, the DAC converts the received digital signal into an analog signal; in the process of receiving the signal by the beamforming device, the DAC converts the received analog signal into a digital signal.

Optionally, the radio frequency transceiver module may be a radio frequency chain. The radio frequency transceiver module is used to receive the analog signal sent by the DAC, and send the analog signal to the power divider. The RF receiving module is also used to receive the analog signal sent by the power divider, and send the analog signal to the ADC.

Optionally, the power divider may receive the signal sent by the radio frequency module, and divide the one signal into multiple signals, for example, the power divider may divide the one signal into multiple signals equally. The power divider can also receive multiple signals sent by the phase shifter array, and synthesize the multiple signals into one signal. For example, the power divider can superimpose the multiple signals to obtain one signal.

Optionally, the phase shifter array includes a plurality of parallel phase shifters, and each phase shifter is used to adjust the phase of the signal received from the power divider. The number of phase shifters included in one phase shifter array is generally the same as the number of combiners included in one combiner group and the number of antenna elements included in one antenna subarray.

Optionally, each combiner group includes multiple combiners. For example, the combiner may be an adder.

Optionally, each antenna sub-array includes multiple antenna units.

Each combiner group is respectively connected with at least two phase shifter arrays, and each phase shifter array in the at least two phase shifter arrays belongs to different groups of channels, that is, each combiner group is connected with at least two phase shifter arrays. Phaser array connections in group channels.

Each combiner group is also connected to an antenna sub-array, and the combiner group and the antenna sub-array may have a one-to-one correspondence.

Optionally, the phase shifter configurations of each group of channels may be the same or different.

The beamforming device provided by the present application includes multiple groups of channels, and the phase shifters of each group of channels are configured independently of each other. One phase shifter configuration can make the beamforming device form a sub-array pattern. When the configurations are different, the beamforming device can form at least two sub-array patterns. Since one sub-array pattern corresponds to one high-gain coverage area on the ground, at the same time, at least two high-gain coverage areas can be formed in the service area of the satellite, so that more terminal devices can access the satellite . Further, when the terminal equipment in multiple geographic areas has service requirements at the same time, the satellite only needs to transmit spot beams in the multiple geographic areas at the same time, and there is no need to switch the emission direction of the spot beam, thereby avoiding switching the terminal equipment. business impact.

On the basis of any one of the above embodiments, the beamforming apparatus will be further described in detail below by using the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 . FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another beamforming apparatus provided by the present application.

Referring to Figure 5, one end of the ith combiner group is connected to the phase shifter array in the ith channel in each group of channels, and the other end of the ith combiner group is connected to the ith antenna subarray, Among them, i is 1,2,...S in sequence.

For example, one end of the first combiner group is connected to the phase shifter array in the first channel in each group of channels, and the other end of the first combiner group is connected to the first antenna sub-array. One end of the second combiner group is connected to the phase shifter array in the second channel in each group of channels, the other end of the second combiner group is connected to the second antenna sub-array, and so on.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the phase shifter array may include T phase shifters (T is not shown in the figure), each combiner group includes T combiners, each antenna sub-array includes T antenna elements, and T is an integer greater than 1. Among them, one end of the j-th combiner in the i-th combiner group is connected to the j-th phase shifter in the i-th channel in each group of channels, and the j-th phase shifter in the i-th combiner group The other end of the combiner is connected to the jth antenna unit in the ith antenna subarray, where i is 1, 2, ... S in sequence, and j is 1, 2, ... T in sequence.

For example, one end of the 1st combiner in the 1st combiner group is connected to the 1st phase shifter in the 1st channel in each group of channels, the 1st in the 1st combiner group The other end of the combiner is connected to the first antenna unit in the first antenna sub-array, and one end of the second combiner in the first combiner group is connected to the first channel in each group of channels. The second phase shifter is connected, the other end of the second combiner in the first combiner group is connected with the second antenna element in the first antenna sub-array, and so on.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the phase shifter array includes T phase shifters (T is not shown in the figure), wherein the power dividers are respectively connected with the T phase shifters, and the power dividers are used for receiving the data received from the radio frequency transceiver module. The signal is divided into T signals, and the kth signal in the T signals is sent to the kth phase shifter in the T phase shifters, and k is 1, 2, ... T in sequence; the power divider is also used to The signals received from the T phase shifters are combined into one signal, and one signal is sent to the radio frequency transceiver module.

Optionally, at least two groups of channels include at least one of a time division duplex TDD channel group and a frequency division duplex FDD channel group, wherein the TDD channel group includes S TDD channels, and the FDD channel group includes S FDD channels .

When there are both TDD mode terminal equipment and FDD mode user terminals in the service area of the satellite, the information of the TDD mode terminal equipment in the service area (such as the number of terminal equipment, the service of the terminal equipment, the priority of the terminal equipment, etc. ) Determine the phase shifter configuration in the TDD channel group, and transmit the spot beam according to the phase shifter configuration in the TDD channel group, so that the spot beam covers the terminal equipment in the TDD mode. Determine the phase shifter configuration in the FDD channel group according to the information of the terminal equipment in the FDD mode in the service area (such as the number of terminal equipment, the service of the terminal equipment, the priority of the terminal equipment, etc.), and according to the phase shifter in the FDD channel group The transmitter configures the transmit spot beam so that the spot beam covers the terminal equipment in FDD mode. Further, the number of data streams allocated to each group of channels can also be determined according to the information of the terminal equipment in the TDD mode and the information of the terminal equipment in the FDD mode, so that the beamforming apparatus can be simultaneously configured for two modes (TDD mode and FDD mode). mode) for terminal device services.

Optionally, the structures of the TDD channel and the FDD channel are different. Below, the structures of the TDD channel and the FDD channel will be described in detail respectively.

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a TDD channel provided by the present application. Referring to Figure 6, the TDD channel includes ADC, DAC, Power Amplifier (PA), Low Noise Amplifier (LNA), Link Selector, RF Transceiver Module, Power Divider and Phase Shifter Array .

The output end of the DAC is connected to the input end of the PA, the output end of the PA is connected to one end of the link selector, and the other end of the link selector is connected to the radio frequency transceiver module. One end of the link selector is also connected with the input end of the LNA, the output end of the LNA is also connected with the input end of the ADC, and the output end of the ADC is connected with the precoding module.

Optionally, the link selector may be a two-way switch, and at the same time, the two-way switch communicates with the PA or the LNA.

When the beamforming device transmits a signal, the link selector is connected to the PA and disconnected from the LNA, so that the DAC can convert the digital signal received from the precoding module into an analog signal, and after the analog signal is amplified by the PA, The amplified analog signal is sent to the radio frequency transceiver module. In this case, the radio frequency transceiver module cannot send signals to the LNA.

When the beamforming device receives the signal, the link selector is connected to the LNA and disconnected from the PA, so that the RF transceiver module can send an analog signal to the LNA, and the LNA processes the analog signal and sends the processed analog signal to the ADC , the ADC converts the processed analog signal into a digital signal, and sends the digital signal to the precoding module. In this case, the signal cannot be sent to the radio frequency module.

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of an FDD channel provided by the present application. Referring to Figure 7, the FDD channel includes ADC, DAC, PA, LNA, circulator, RF transceiver module, power divider and phase shifter array.

The output end of the DAC is connected to the input end of the PA, the output end of the PA is connected to one end of the circulator and the other end of the circulator is connected to the radio frequency transceiver module. One end of the circulator is also connected to the input end of the LNA, the output end of the LNA is also connected to the input end of the ADC, and the output end of the ADC is connected to the precoding module.

When the beamforming device transmits a signal, the circulator is conducting forward (the data sent by the PA can be sent to the RF transceiver module), so that the DAC can convert the digital signal received from the precoding module into an analog signal, and the analog signal is converted by the PA to the analog signal. After the signal is amplified, the amplified analog signal is sent to the radio frequency transceiver module. In this case, the radio frequency transceiver module cannot send signals to the LNA.

When the beamforming device receives the signal, the circulator conducts reverse conduction (the data sent by the RF transceiver module can be sent to the LNA), so that the RF transceiver module can send the analog signal to the LNA, and the LNA processes the analog signal and sends the processed signal to the LNA. The analog signal is sent to the ADC, the ADC converts the processed analog signal into a digital signal, and sends the digital signal to the precoding module. In this case, the signal cannot be sent to the radio frequency module.

On the basis of any one of the foregoing embodiments, the positions of the spot beams transmitted by the beamforming apparatus are described in detail below with reference to FIG. 8 .

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a spot beam provided by the present application. Referring to FIG. 8 , the service area X of the satellite includes the geographic area corresponding to configuration 1, the geographic area corresponding to configuration 2, and the geographic area corresponding to configuration N.

The geographic area corresponding to each configuration includes geographic areas corresponding to M spot beams, where M is the maximum number of spot beams transmitted by the satellite.

For example, when the configuration of the channel group is configuration 1, the geographic areas corresponding to the M spot beams are B1_1, B1_2, ..., B1_M. When the configuration of the channel group is configuration N, the geographic areas corresponding to the M spot beams are BN_1, BN_2, ..., BN_M.

Optionally, the configuration shown in the embodiment of FIG. 8 may be a phase shifter configuration of a channel group.

Optionally, one phase shifter configuration corresponds to one geographic area, that is, when the phase shifter is configured as configuration i, the spot beams transmitted by the beamforming apparatus according to the configuration i are located in the geographic area corresponding to the configuration i.

Optionally, one spot beam usually corresponds to one channel group, and one channel group may correspond to one or more spot beams. In the actual application process, the corresponding relationship between the channel group and the spot beam can be determined according to actual needs.

Optionally, the high gain range of a channel group of a satellite in a configuration is related to the number of spot beams corresponding to the channel group.

For example, assuming that the configuration of a channel group is configuration 1, and the channel group corresponds to 5 spot beams, the high gain range of the channel group in configuration 1 includes the range corresponding to the 5 spot beams.

Optionally, the high-gain coverage area of the satellite includes: the high-gain range of each group of channels in the beamforming device under the configuration of the corresponding phase shifter.

For example, assuming that the beamforming device includes two groups of channels, which are denoted as channel group 1 and channel group 2, assuming that the configuration of channel group 1 is configuration 1, and the configuration corresponding to channel group 2 is configuration 3, the high-gain coverage area of the satellite Includes: high gain range for channel group 1 in configuration 1, and high gain range for channel group 2 in configuration 3.

On the basis of any of the foregoing embodiments, the beamforming method is described in detail below by taking the beamforming apparatus shown in any of the foregoing embodiments provided in the satellite as an example. For details, please refer to FIG. 9-FIG. 12 example shown.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a method for controlling beamforming provided by the present application. Referring to Figure 9, the method can include:

S901. The first satellite determines at least two geographic areas to be covered.

It should be noted that the first satellite is provided with a beamforming device, and the beamforming device may be the beamforming device shown in any of the foregoing embodiments. For its structure and implementation principles, refer to any of the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here. Repeat.

Optionally, the size of a geographic area is less than or equal to the size of the largest high-gain coverage area of the first satellite. The maximum high-gain coverage area of the first satellite is related to the number of spot beams supported by the first satellite. The greater the number of spot beams supported by the first satellite, the larger the maximum high-gain coverage area of the first satellite.

Optionally, the number of at least two geographic areas is less than or equal to the number of groups of channels included in the beamforming device of the first satellite.

The first satellite has its corresponding service area, the service area is an area on the ground, and at least two geographic areas to be covered are located in the service area of the first satellite.

Optionally, when the relative positions of the first satellite and the earth are fixed, the service area of the first satellite is fixed. When the relative position of the first satellite and the earth is not fixed, the service area of the first satellite is not fixed.

Optionally, the first satellite may acquire first information of each terminal device in its service area, and determine at least two geographic areas according to the first information of the terminal device.

Optionally, the first information may include at least one of a location of the terminal device, a service requirement of the terminal device, and a priority of the terminal device. Of course, the first information may also include other information, which is not specifically limited in this application.

Optionally, when the terminal device has service requirements, the terminal device may report the first information to the first satellite. Alternatively, the terminal device may periodically report the first information to the first satellite.

For example, when the terminal device has a service requirement, the terminal device sends an access request to the first satellite, and the access request carries the first information.

For example, the first satellite may first determine the terminal equipment with service requirements in its service area, and then determine at least two geographic areas according to the location and priority of the terminal equipment with service requirements. At least two geographic areas cover terminal equipment with service requirements.

It should be noted that, in the service area of the first satellite, when only the terminal equipment in one geographic area has service requirements, the first satellite can determine a geographic area, and the one geographic area covers the terminal equipment with service requirements. . Alternatively, the first satellite may also determine at least two geographic areas, one of the at least two geographic areas covers the terminal device with service requirements, and the other areas of the at least two geographic areas may cover any geographic area .

S902. The first satellite determines, according to at least two geographic regions, configuration information of phase shifters in each group of channels in the beamforming apparatus of the first satellite, and coding information of the precoding module in the beamforming apparatus.

The encoded information includes the amplitude weight and phase weight of each spot beam.

Optionally, the first satellite can determine the configuration information of the phase shifters in each group of channels in the beamforming device through the following feasible implementations: the first satellite determines the geographic area corresponding to each group of channels; the first satellite determines each geographic area. The corresponding sub-array pattern; the first satellite determines the configuration information of the phase shifter in the i-th group of channels according to the sub-array pattern corresponding to the i-th geographical area, and the i-th geographical area corresponds to the i-th group of channels, i The order is 1, 2, ..., N, the beamforming device includes N groups of channels, and N is an integer greater than 1.

Optionally, the first satellite may determine the geographic area corresponding to each group of channels through at least the following two feasible implementation manners:

A feasible implementation manner: the beamforming device of the first satellite includes a channel of one mode (TDD channel or FDD channel).

When the beamforming device of the first satellite includes channels of one mode, the first satellite can arbitrarily determine the correspondence between the channels and the geographic areas, so that each geographic area corresponds to at least one group of channels.

For example, assuming that the beamforming device of the first satellite includes two groups of channels, denoted as channel group 1 and channel group 2 respectively, and assuming that the first satellite determines to obtain two geographical areas, denoted as geographical area 1 and geographical area 2, respectively, then The first satellite may determine that channel group 1 corresponds to geographic area 1 and channel group 2 corresponds to geographic area 2, or the first satellite may determine that channel group 1 corresponds to geographic area 2 and channel group 2 corresponds to geographic area 1.

For example, it is assumed that the beamforming device of the first satellite includes three groups of channels, which are denoted as channel group 1, channel group 2 and channel group 3 respectively. Suppose the first satellite determines to obtain two geographical areas, which are denoted as geographical area 1 and geographical area respectively. area 2, the first satellite may determine that channel group 1 and channel group 2 correspond to geographic area 1, and channel group 3 corresponds to geographic area 2, or the first satellite may determine that channel group 1 corresponds to geographic area 2, and channel group 2 and channel group 3 corresponds to geographic area 1. Of course, the first satellite can also determine that the corresponding relationship between the channel group and the geographical area is other, as long as each geographical area corresponds to at least one channel group.

Another feasible implementation manner: the beamforming device of the first satellite includes channels of two modes (TDD channel and FDD channel).

When the beamforming device of the first satellite includes channels of two modes, the first satellite may determine the type of each geographic area, and determine each group of channels in the beamforming device of the first satellite according to the type of each geographic area The corresponding geographical area; wherein, the type of the geographical area includes the first type and the second type, the geographical area of the first type includes the terminal equipment of the TDD mode, the geographical area of the second type includes the terminal equipment of the FDD mode, and the TDD channel Groups correspond to geographic areas of the first type, and FDD channel groups correspond to geographic areas of the second type.

Optionally, if terminal devices with service requirements in a geographic area are all in the TDD mode, it may be determined that the geographic area is of the first type. If terminal devices with service requirements in a geographic area are all in FDD mode, it may be determined that the geographic area is of the second type.

For example, it is assumed that the beamforming device of the first satellite includes two groups of channels, denoted as channel group 1 and channel group 2, wherein channel group 1 is a TDD channel, and channel group 2 is an FDD channel, assuming that the first satellite determines that two channels are obtained. Geographical regions are respectively recorded as geographic region 1 and geographic region 2, wherein geographic region 1 is the first type and geographic region 2 is the second type, then the first satellite determines that channel group 1 corresponds to geographic region 1, and channel group 2 corresponds to Geographical area 2.

Optionally, the first satellite may determine the sub-array pattern corresponding to each geographical area according to the relative position of the first satellite and each geographical area.

Next, the process of determining the configuration information of the phase shifter will be described with reference to FIG. 9A .

根据如下公式确定x轴方向上两个相邻子阵单元之间的相位差β_x，以及y轴方向上两个相邻子阵单元之间的相位差β_y：FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of a sub-array pattern provided by the present application. Referring to FIG. 9A , it is assumed that the sub-array pattern is an M*N two-dimensional planar array. In the two-dimensional planar array, there are M sub-array units along the x-axis, the spacing is dx, and there are N sub-array units along the y-axis. , the spacing is dy. The satellite can calculate the azimuth angle θ ₀ and

Determine the phase difference β _x between two adjacent sub-array elements in the x-axis direction and the phase difference β _y between two adjacent sub-array elements in the y-axis direction according to the following formula:

λ为卫星发射信号的波长。Among them, β _x is the phase difference between two adjacent sub-array units in the x-axis direction, β _y is the phase difference between two adjacent sub-frame units in the y-axis direction,

λ is the wavelength of the signal transmitted by the satellite.

For any sub-array, according to the phase difference β _x between two adjacent sub-array units in the x-axis direction, the phase difference β _y between two adjacent sub-array units in the y-axis direction, and the sub-array unit The position in the subarray pattern determines the phase of the subarray element. The position of the sub-array unit in the sub-array directional diagram can be indicated by the labels of the sub-array unit on the x-axis and the y-axis in the sub-array directional diagram. For example, for the m-th sub-array element E mn in the x-axis and the n-th sub-array element E _mn in the y-axis, the phase of the sub-array element E _mn is: (m-1)×β _x +(n-1)×β _y , where , m is an integer, n is an integer, 1≤m≤M, 1≤n≤N.

After the phase of each sub-array unit is determined, the configuration information of the phase shifter may be determined according to the phase of each sub-array unit.

Optionally, if the ith geographic area corresponds to the ith group of channels, the configuration information of the phase shifters in the ith group of channels may be determined according to the sub-array pattern corresponding to the ith geographic area.

Wherein, one group of channels corresponds to one geographic area, and one geographic area may correspond to one or more groups of channels. When a geographical area corresponds to multiple groups of channels, the configurations of the phase shifters of the multiple groups of channels are the same, that is, the configuration information of the phase shifters in the multiple groups of channels is the same.

Wherein, after the first satellite determines the configuration information of the phase shifters in the i-th group of channels according to the sub-array pattern corresponding to the i-th geographical area, the spot beam transmitted by the first satellite through the configuration information is in the i-th geographical area. in the area.

Optionally, the configuration information of the phase shifters in a group of channels includes the phase of each phase shifter in the group of channels.

Optionally, the first satellite can determine the coding information of the precoding module in the beamforming device through the following feasible implementation manners: the first satellite determines the spot beam corresponding to each geographical area; the first satellite determines the spot beam corresponding to each geographical area according to the Beam, determine the forming direction of each spot beam, and the forming direction of the spot beam corresponding to a geographic area is located in the sub-array pattern of the geographic area; the first satellite determines the beam forming device according to the forming direction of each spot beam. Encoding information for the encoding module.

Optionally, the first satellite may determine the spot beam corresponding to each geographical area according to at least one of the number of terminal devices in each geographical area or service information of the terminal devices in each geographical area.

For example, the number of terminal devices may be the total number of terminal devices in the geographic area, or may be the number of terminal devices having services at the current moment in the geographic area.

For example, the service information may include at least one of the identification of the service, the priority of the service, and the amount of resources required by the service.

For example, the greater the number of terminal devices with service requirements in a geographic area, the greater the number of spot beams corresponding to the geographic area. The larger the service volume of the terminal equipment in a geographic area, the greater the number of spot beams corresponding to the geographic area.

Optionally, the precoding information includes a weight value of each spot beam.

For example, the precoding information includes S weight values (W(1,1), W(1,2), ..., W(1,S)) corresponding to data stream 1, and S weights corresponding to data stream 2 value, ..., the S weight values (W(M, 1), W(M, 2), ..., W(M, S)) corresponding to the data stream M.

Optionally, there is a preset correspondence between the forming direction of the spot beam and the weight value of each spot beam in the encoding information, and the encoding information may be determined according to the forming direction of the spot beam and the corresponding relationship.

S903. The first satellite controls the beamforming device to transmit spot beams according to the configuration information and the coding information.

Optionally, after the first satellite determines to obtain the configuration information of the phase shifters in each group of channels and the coding information of the precoding module, the first satellite modifies the configuration information of the phase shifters in each group of channels according to the determined configuration information. The phase shifter is configured for each group of channels, and the weight value of each data stream in the precoding module is modified according to the coding information.

After the first satellite modifies the phase shifter configuration of each group of channels and the weight value of each data stream in the precoding module, the spot beams transmitted by the first satellite can be at least two geographic areas determined by the first satellite in S901. .

In the beamforming method provided by the present application, the beamforming device of the first satellite includes at least two groups of channels, and the phase shifters in each group of channels are configured independently of each other, so that the first satellite can cover at least two geographic areas on the ground. When the first satellite transmits the spot beam, the first satellite determines at least two geographic areas to be covered, and determines the configuration information of the phase shifters in each group of channels in the beamforming device according to the at least two geographic areas, and the beamforming device The encoding information of the precoding module in the middle, the encoding information includes the amplitude weight and the phase weight of each spot beam, and according to the configuration information and the encoding information, the beamforming device is controlled to transmit the spot beam. A phase shifter configuration can make the beamforming device form a sub-array pattern, and when the phase shifter configuration of each group of channels is different, the beam forming device can form at least two sub-array patterns. Since one sub-array pattern corresponds to one high-gain coverage area on the ground, at the same time, at least two high-gain coverage areas can be formed in the service area of the satellite, so that more terminal devices can access the satellite . Further, when the terminal equipment in multiple geographic areas has service requirements at the same time, the satellite only needs to transmit spot beams in the multiple geographic areas at the same time, and there is no need to switch the emission direction of the spot beam, thereby avoiding the need for terminal equipment. business impact.

Below, with reference to FIGS. 10A-10B , the method shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9 will be described in detail by way of specific examples.

FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram of beam distribution provided by the present application. FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram of another spot beam provided by this application.

Referring to FIG. 10A , the service area of the first satellite is service area X. In the service area X, there are more terminal devices in the area 1 with service requirements, and there are fewer terminal devices in the area 2 in the service area X. have business needs. The phase shifter corresponding to area 1 is configured as configuration 1, and the phase shifter corresponding to area 2 is configured as configuration 3.

Referring to FIG. 10B , the first satellite can transmit 16 spot beams at the same time, and the first satellite can have N types of phase shifter configurations.

Assuming that the beamforming device of the first satellite includes two groups of channels, denoted as channel group 1 and channel group 2, the phase shifter configuration of channel group 1 can be set to configuration 1, so that the first satellite can pass through channel group 1 High gain coverage of area 1. The phaser configuration of channel group 2 can be set to configuration 2 so that the first satellite can have high gain coverage of area 2 through channel group 2.

Since the number of terminal devices with service requirements in area 1 is large, and the number of terminal devices with service requirements in area 2 is small, 12 spot beams (spot beam 1-spot beam 12) can be configured for channel group 1, Four spot beams (spot beam 13 - spot beam 16) are configured for channel group 2. Therefore, the high-gain range of zone 1 includes the coverage of 12 spot beams, and the high-gain range of zone 2 includes the coverage of 4 spot beams.

In the above process, since the beamforming device includes two groups of channels, phase shifters are configured for the two groups of channels respectively, so that the first satellite can cover area 1 through channel group 1 and cover area 2 through channel group 2. That is, at the same time, the first satellite can form two high-gain coverage areas in the service area, so that more terminal devices can access the satellite. The first satellite does not need to switch the high-gain coverage area between the area 1 and the area 2, thereby avoiding the impact on the service of the terminal equipment.

On the basis of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 , during the movement of the satellite or the terminal device, the terminal device may need to switch from one satellite to another satellite. Next, the handover process of the terminal device will be described in detail by using the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 .

FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart of another method for controlling beamforming provided by the present application. Referring to Figure 11, the method may include:

S1101. The first satellite determines that the first terminal device is located in an overlapping area of the geographic areas covered by the first satellite and the second satellite.

The first satellite moves in a direction away from the first terminal device, and the second satellite moves in a direction close to the first terminal device.

Optionally, the movement of the first satellite in a direction away from the first terminal device may be that the relative positions of the first satellite and the earth are fixed, and the first terminal moves in a direction away from the first satellite; The relative position is fixed, and the first terminal device moves away from the first satellite; or, the relative position of the first satellite and the earth is not fixed, the relative position of the first terminal device and the earth is not fixed, and the first terminal device and the first satellite are not fixed. The movement of the first satellite increases the distance between the first satellite and the first terminal device.

Optionally, the movement of the second satellite in a direction close to the first terminal device may be that the relative position of the second satellite and the earth is fixed, and the first terminal moves in a direction close to the second satellite; The relative position is fixed, and the first terminal device moves toward the direction close to the second satellite; or, the relative position of the second satellite and the earth is not fixed, the relative position of the first terminal device and the earth is not fixed, and the first terminal device and the second satellite are not fixed. The movement of the second satellite makes the distance between the second satellite and the first terminal device closer.

Optionally, the first satellite may acquire the geographic area (service area) covered by the second satellite, and determine the overlapping area according to the geographic area (service area) covered by the first satellite and the geographic area covered by the second satellite.

S1102. The first satellite sends first handover indication information to the second satellite, where the first handover indication information includes the location of the first terminal device.

The first handover instruction information is used to instruct the second satellite to adjust the spot beam direction according to the position of the first terminal device.

Optionally, the first handover indication information may further include the rate, service information and the like of the first terminal device.

Optionally, the service information may include service identifiers and service priorities, and the like.

Optionally, the first satellite may send the first handover indication information to the second satellite through an inter-satellite link.

Optionally, the first satellite may also send first indication information to the first terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate to the first terminal device that the first terminal device is about to switch to the second satellite. Optionally, the first indication information may include information such as the position of the second satellite.

Optionally, after the first terminal device receives the first indication information, if the first terminal device is equipped with a high-gain antenna, the first terminal device can adjust the beam direction so that the beam direction of the first terminal device is aligned with the first terminal device. Two satellites.

S1103. The second satellite adjusts the direction of the spot beam of the second satellite according to the position of the first terminal device, so that the spot beam of the second satellite covers the first terminal device.

Optionally, the second satellite may adjust the direction of a small number of spot beams, so that a small number of spot beams of the second satellite cover the first terminal device.

For example, a small number of spot beams may be 1, 2, etc.

S1104. The second satellite sends a first handover response message to the first satellite.

The first handover response message is used to indicate that the first terminal device is successfully handed over to the second satellite.

S1105. The first satellite releases the spot beam covering the first terminal device according to the first handover response message.

Optionally, the first satellite may adjust the direction of the spot beam covering the first terminal device, so that the spot beam covers other locations.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , in the process of switching the terminal device from the first satellite to the second satellite, it is only necessary to adjust the directions of part of the spot beams of the first satellite and the second satellite, without interrupting the first satellite The services of other terminal equipment within the coverage area do not need to interrupt the services of other terminal equipment within the coverage area of the second satellite, thereby improving the reliability of satellite handover.

It should be noted that, in the actual application process, the second terminal device may also switch from the third satellite to the first satellite, and the switching process is similar to the switching process shown in FIG. 11 , and details are not repeated here.

Below, with reference to FIG. 12, the method shown in the embodiment of FIG. 11 will be described in detail by way of a specific example.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of satellite handover provided by the present application. Referring to FIG. 12 , the service area of satellite 1 is service area X1, and the service area of satellite 2 is service area X2. Satellite 1 and satellite 2 are in flight state, and the relative positions of satellite 1 and satellite 2 to the ground are not fixed. The flight directions of satellite 1 and satellite 2 relative to the earth are shown in FIG. 12 .

At time T1 (before handover), in the service area X1 of satellite 1, both area 1 and area 3 have terminal equipment with service requirements. At this time, part of the spot beam of satellite 1 covers area 1 and part of the spot beam covers the area. 2, so that both terminal devices in area 1 and area 2 can access satellite 1. During the flight of satellite 1, satellite 1 detects that the terminal equipment in area 3 is located in the overlapping area of satellite 1 and satellite 2. Since satellite 1 is moving away from the terminal equipment in area 3, satellite 2 is approaching area 3. Therefore, if satellite 1 determines that the terminal equipment in area 3 needs to be switched to satellite 2, satellite 1 sends a handover request message to satellite 2, and the handover request message includes information such as the location of the terminal equipment in area 3.

After satellite 2 receives the handover request message sent by satellite 1, satellite 2 adjusts the direction of part of its spot beams so that part of the spot beams covers the terminal equipment in area 3, and sends a handover response message to satellite 1 to indicate to satellite 1 When the terminal equipment in area 3 completes the handover, satellite 1 releases the spot beam covering area 3.

At time T2 (after handover), the spot beam of satellite 1 covers area 1, and the spot beam of satellite 2 covers area 2 and area 3.

FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the present application. Referring to Figure 13, the method may include:

S1301. The terminal device determines the coverage of the first spot beam, where the first spot beam is the spot beam transmitted by the first satellite.

Wherein, the beamforming device of the first satellite includes at least two groups of channels, the phase shifters in each group of channels are configured independently of each other, and the first spot beam is the first satellite according to the phase shifters in each group of channels in the beamforming device. The configuration information and the coding information of the precoding module in the beamforming apparatus are determined and obtained, and the coding information includes the amplitude weight and the phase weight of each spot beam.

It should be noted that, the beamforming apparatus of the first satellite may be the beamforming apparatus shown in any one of the foregoing embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

Optionally, the first spot beam is any one of spot beams transmitted by the first satellite.

Optionally, the configuration information and the coding information are determined and obtained by the first satellite according to the position of the terminal device.

It should be noted that, for the process of transmitting the first spot beam by the first satellite, reference may be made to any one of the foregoing embodiments in FIG. 9 to FIG. 12 , which will not be repeated here.

S1302. The terminal device accesses the first satellite through the first spot beam.

Optionally, when the terminal device has service requirements, the terminal device can access the satellite through the first spot beam. For example, the terminal device may send an access request to the satellite through the first spot beam.

In the method shown in the embodiment of FIG. 13 , the beamforming device of the first satellite includes at least two groups of channels, the phase shifters in each group of channels are configured independently of each other, and one phase shifter configuration enables the beamforming device to form a Subarray patterns, when the phase shifters of each group of channels are configured differently, the beamforming device can form at least two subarray patterns. Since a sub-array pattern corresponds to a high-gain coverage area on the ground, at the same time, at least two high-gain coverage areas can be formed in the service area of the satellite, thereby enabling more terminal devices to access the satellite. . Further, when the terminal equipment in multiple geographic areas has service requirements at the same time, the satellite only needs to transmit spot beams in the multiple geographic areas at the same time, and there is no need to switch the emission direction of the spot beam, thereby avoiding the need for terminal equipment. business impact.

FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for controlling beamforming provided by the present application. The apparatus 10 for controlling beamforming may be applied to the first satellite. The beamforming device of the first satellite includes at least two groups of channels, and the phase shifters in each group of channels are configured independently of each other. The apparatus 10 for controlling beamforming may control the beamforming apparatus in the first satellite to perform beamforming. Referring to FIG. 14, the apparatus 10 for controlling beamforming includes a first determination module 11, a second determination module 12 and a control module 13, wherein,

The first determining module 11 is used to determine at least two geographic areas to be covered;

The second determining module 12 is configured to, according to the at least two geographical regions, determine the configuration information of the phase shifters in each group of channels in the beamforming device and the coding of the precoding module in the beamforming device information, the encoded information includes the amplitude weight and the phase weight of each spot beam;

The control module 13 is configured to, according to the configuration information and the encoding information, control the beamforming apparatus to transmit spot beams.

Optionally, the apparatus 10 for controlling beamforming may be a part of the baseband unit 301 . Alternatively, the apparatus 10 for controlling beamforming may also be an apparatus independent of the baseband unit 301 .

Optionally, the apparatus 10 for controlling beamforming may control the beamforming apparatus shown in the embodiments of FIG. 3 to FIG. 7 to perform beamforming.

Optionally, the first determining module 11 may execute S901 in the embodiment of FIG. 9 .

Optionally, the second determining module 12 may execute S902 in the embodiment of FIG. 9 .

Optionally, the control module 13 may execute S903 in the embodiment of FIG. 9 .

It should be noted that the apparatus 10 for controlling beamforming may implement the technical solutions shown in the method embodiments in FIGS. 9 to 12 , and the implementation principles and beneficial effects thereof are similar, which will not be repeated here.

In a possible implementation manner, the second determining module 12 is specifically configured to:

Determine the geographic area corresponding to each group of channels;

Determine the sub-array pattern corresponding to each geographic area;

According to the sub-array pattern corresponding to the ith geographical area, the configuration information of the phase shifters in the ith group of channels is determined, the ith geographical area corresponds to the ith group of channels, and the i is 1, 2, . . . , N, the beamforming device includes N groups of channels, where N is an integer greater than 1.

In a possible implementation manner, the first determining module 11 is used for:

Determine the type of each geographic area, the types of the geographic area include a first type and a second type, the geographic area of the first type includes terminal equipment in the time division duplex TDD mode, the geographic area of the second type Including terminal equipment in frequency division duplex FDD mode;

According to the type of each geographic area, determine the geographic area corresponding to each group of channels in the beamforming device of the first satellite, wherein the TDD channel group corresponds to the first type of geographic area, and the FDD channel group corresponds to the second type of geographic area .

In a possible implementation manner, the second determining module 12 is used for:

Determine the spot beams corresponding to each geographic area;

Determine the forming direction of each spot beam according to the spot beam corresponding to each geographical area, and the forming direction of the spot beam corresponding to a geographical area is located in the sub-array pattern of the geographical area;

According to the forming direction of each spot beam, the coding information of the precoding module in the beam forming apparatus is determined.

In a possible implementation manner, the second determining module 12 is used for:

The spot beam corresponding to each geographical area is determined according to at least one of the number of terminal devices in each geographical area or the service information of the terminal devices in each geographical area.

FIG. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of another apparatus for controlling beamforming provided by the present application. On the basis of the embodiment in FIG. 14 , referring to FIG. 15 , the apparatus 10 for controlling beamforming further includes a third determining module 14 and a sending module 15 , wherein,

The third determining module 14 is configured to determine that the first terminal device is located in the overlapping area of the geographic areas covered by the first satellite and the second satellite, and the first satellite moves in a direction away from the first terminal device , the second satellite moves in a direction close to the first terminal device;

The sending module 15 is configured to send first handover indication information to the second satellite, where the first handover indication information includes the position of the first terminal device, and the first handover indication information is used to indicate the The second satellite adjusts the spot beam direction according to the position of the first terminal device.

In a possible implementation manner, the apparatus further includes a receiving module 16, wherein,

The receiving module 16 is configured to, after the sending module 15 sends the first handover instruction information to the second satellite, receive the first handover response message sent by the second satellite, and the first handover response message is used instructing the first terminal device to switch to the second satellite;

The control module 13 is further configured to release the spot beam covering the first terminal device according to the first handover response message.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving module 16 is further configured to receive second handover indication information sent by a third satellite, where the second handover indication information includes the location of the second terminal device;

The control module 13 is further configured to adjust the direction of the spot beam of the first satellite according to the position of the second terminal device, so that the spot beam of the first satellite covers the second terminal device.

It should be noted that the apparatus 10 for controlling beamforming may implement the technical solutions shown in the method embodiments in FIGS. 9 to 12 , and the implementation principles and beneficial effects thereof are similar, which will not be repeated here.

FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by the present application. Referring to FIG. 16, the communication apparatus 20 may include a determination module 21 and an access module 22, wherein,

The determining module 21 is configured to determine the coverage of a first spot beam, where the first spot beam is a spot beam transmitted by the first satellite, and the beamforming device of the first satellite includes at least two groups of channels , the configuration of the phase shifters in each group of channels is independent of each other, and the first spot beam is the first satellite according to the configuration information of the phase shifters in each group of channels in the beamforming device and the beamforming device The encoding information of the precoding module in the middle is determined and obtained, and the encoding information includes the amplitude weight and the phase weight of each spot beam;

The access module 22 is configured to access the first satellite through the first spot beam.

Optionally, the determining module 21 may execute S1301 in the embodiment of FIG. 13 .

Optionally, the access module 22 may execute S1302 in the embodiment of FIG. 13 .

In a possible implementation manner, the configuration information and the encoding information are determined and obtained by the first satellite according to the position of the terminal device.

It should be noted that, the communication device 20 can execute the technical solutions shown in the method embodiment of FIG. 13 , and the implementation principles and beneficial effects thereof are similar, and details are not repeated here.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the apparatus for controlling beamforming provided by the present application. 17, the apparatus 30 for controlling beamforming includes: a memory 31 and a processor 32, wherein the memory 31 and the processor 32 communicate; exemplarily, the memory 31 and the processor 32 communicate through a communication bus 33, and the memory 31 communicates with the processor 32. 31 is used to store a computer program, and the processor 32 executes the computer program to implement the methods shown in the above embodiments.

Optionally, the apparatus for controlling beamforming may further include a transmitter and/or a receiver.

Optionally, the above-mentioned processor may be a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU), and may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (Digital Signal Processors, DSP), application specific integrated circuits (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC) )Wait. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like. The steps (S901-S903 in the embodiment of FIG. 9) in combination with the method disclosed in the present application may be directly embodied as executed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the communication device provided by the present application. Referring to FIG. 18, the communication device 40 includes: a memory 41 and a processor 42, wherein the memory 41 communicates with the processor 42; exemplarily, the memory 41 and the processor 42 communicate through a communication bus 43, and the memory 41 is used for A computer program is stored, and the processor 42 executes the computer program to implement the methods shown in the above embodiments.

Optionally, the communication device may further include a transmitter and/or a receiver.

Optionally, the above-mentioned processor may be a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU), and may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (Digital Signal Processors, DSP), application specific integrated circuits (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC) )Wait. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed in this application (S1301-S1302 in the embodiment of FIG. 13 ) can be directly embodied as executed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

The present application provides a storage medium, where the storage medium is used to store a computer program, and the computer program is used to implement the method for controlling beamforming described in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

The present application provides a storage medium, where the storage medium is used to store a computer program, and the computer program is used to implement the communication method described in any of the above method embodiments.

The present application provides a chip, which is used to support an apparatus for controlling beamforming to implement the functions shown in the embodiments of the present application (for example, determining at least two geographic areas to be covered, determining configuration information of a phase shifter, determining precoding The code information of the module, etc.), the chip is specifically used in a chip system, and the chip system can be composed of chips, and can also include chips and other discrete devices. When the above method is implemented by a chip in the receiving device, the chip includes a processing unit. Further, the chip may further include a communication unit, and the processing unit may be, for example, a processor. When the chip includes a communication unit, the communication unit may be, for example, a processor. It can be an input/output interface, a pin or a circuit, etc. The processing unit performs all or part of the actions performed by each processing module in the embodiment of the present application (for example, the first determination module 11, the second determination module 12, and the control module 13 in FIG. 14 , etc.), and the communication unit may perform corresponding receiving or Send action. In another specific embodiment, the processing module of the receiving device in the present application may be a processing unit of a chip, and the receiving module or sending module of the apparatus for controlling beamforming is a communication unit of the chip.

The present application provides a chip, which is used for supporting a device of a terminal device to implement the functions shown in the embodiments of the present application (for example, accessing the first satellite, etc.). The chip is specifically used in a chip system, and the chip system may Consists of chips, but may also include chips and other discrete devices. When the above method is implemented by a chip in the receiving device, the chip includes a processing unit. Further, the chip may further include a communication unit, and the processing unit may be, for example, a processor. When the chip includes a communication unit, the communication unit may be, for example, a processor. It can be an input/output interface, a pin or a circuit, etc. The processing unit performs all or part of the actions performed by each processing module (eg, the determination module 21 and the access module 22 in FIG. 16 ) in the embodiments of the present application, and the communication unit may perform corresponding receiving or sending actions. In another specific embodiment, the processing module of the receiving device in this application may be a processing unit of a chip, and the receiving module or sending module of the terminal device is a communication unit of the chip.

The present application also provides a satellite, including a beamforming device and a beamforming device. Optionally, the apparatus for controlling beamforming may be provided in a baseband unit of the beamforming apparatus.

Optionally, the beamforming device in the satellite may be the beamforming device shown in the embodiments of FIG. 3 to FIG. 7 .

Optionally, the apparatus for controlling beamforming in the satellite may be the apparatus for controlling beamforming shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 14-15 .

All or part of the steps for implementing the above method embodiments may be completed by program instructions related to hardware. The aforementioned program can be stored in a readable memory. When the program is executed, the steps including the above method embodiments are executed; and the aforementioned memory (storage medium) includes: read-only memory (English: read-only memory, abbreviation: ROM), RAM, flash memory, hard disk, Solid state drive, magnetic tape (English: magnetic tape), floppy disk (English: floppydisk), optical disc (English: optical disc) and any combination thereof.

The embodiments of the present application are described with reference to flowcharts and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatuses (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It will be understood that each flow and/or block in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to the processing unit of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine such that the instructions executed by the processing unit of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce Means for implementing the functions specified in a flow or flow of a flowchart and/or a block or blocks of a block diagram.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory result in an article of manufacture comprising instruction means, the instructions The apparatus implements the functions specified in the flow or flow of the flowcharts and/or the block or blocks of the block diagrams.

These computer program instructions can also be loaded on a computer or other programmable data processing device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process such that The instructions provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flow or blocks of the flowcharts and/or the block or blocks of the block diagrams.

Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the embodiments of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

In this application, the term "comprising" and its variants may mean non-limiting inclusion; the term "or" and its variants may mean "and/or". The terms "first", "second" and the like in this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. In this application, "plurality" means two or more. "And/or", which describes the association relationship of the associated objects, means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and/or B, which can mean that A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. The character "/" generally indicates that the associated objects are an "or" relationship.

Claims (27)

1. A beamforming apparatus, comprising: the antenna comprises a baseband unit, a precoding module, at least two groups of channels, S combiner groups and S antenna sub-arrays, wherein the at least two groups of channels comprise at least one of a time division duplex TDD channel group and a frequency division duplex FDD channel group, the TDD channel group comprises S TDD channels, the FDD channel group comprises S FDD channels, each channel comprises a digital-to-analog converter (DAC)/analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a radio frequency transceiving module, a power divider and a phase shifter array which are sequentially connected, one end of the ith combiner group is connected with the phase shifter array in the ith channel in each group of channels, the other end of the ith combiner group is connected with the ith antenna sub-array, wherein i is 1,2 and … … S sequentially, and S is an integer greater than or equal to 1,

one end of the pre-coding module is connected with the baseband unit, and the other end of the pre-coding module is respectively connected with the DAC/ADC in each channel of the at least two groups of channels;

each combiner group in the S combiner groups is respectively connected with at least two phase shifter arrays and an antenna sub-array, each phase shifter array in the at least two phase shifter arrays belongs to different groups of channels, and the phase shifter configuration of each group of channels is mutually independent.

2. The beamforming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the phase shifter array comprises T phase shifters, each combiner group comprises T combiners, each antenna sub-array comprises T antenna elements, and T is an integer greater than 1,

one end of the jth combiner in the ith combiner group is connected with the jth phase shifter in the ith channel in each group of channels, and the other end of the jth combiner in the ith combiner group is connected with the jth antenna unit in the ith antenna sub-array, wherein i is 1,2, … … S in sequence, and j is 1,2, … … T in sequence.

3. The beamforming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the array of phase shifters comprises T phase shifters, wherein,

the power divider is respectively connected to the T phase shifters, and is configured to divide a signal received from the radio frequency transceiver module into T signals and send a kth signal of the T signals to a kth phase shifter of the T phase shifters, where k is 1,2, and … … T in sequence; the power divider is further configured to combine the signals received from the T phase shifters into one signal, and send the signal to the radio frequency transceiver module.

4. A method for controlling beam forming is applied to a first satellite, a beam forming device of the first satellite comprises at least two groups of channels, the at least two groups of channels comprise at least one of a Time Division Duplex (TDD) channel group and a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) channel group, the TDD channel group comprises S TDD channels, the FDD channel group comprises S FDD channels, each channel comprises a digital-to-analog converter (DAC)/analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a radio frequency transceiver module, a power divider and a phase shifter array which are connected in sequence, one end of an ith combiner group is connected with the phase shifter array in the ith channel in each group of channels, the other end of the ith combiner group is connected with an ith antenna subarray, wherein i is 1,2 and … … S in sequence, and the phase shifter configurations in each group of channels are independent from each other, and the method comprises the following steps:

determining at least two geographical areas to be covered;

determining configuration information of phase shifters in each group of channels in the beam forming device and coding information of a precoding module in the beam forming device according to the at least two geographical areas, wherein the coding information comprises an amplitude weight and a phase weight of each point beam;

and controlling the beam forming device to transmit the spot beam according to the configuration information and the coding information.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining configuration information for phase shifters in each group of channels in a beamforming device based on the at least two geographic regions comprises:

determining a geographical area corresponding to each group of channels;

determining a subarray directional diagram corresponding to each geographic area;

determining configuration information of phase shifters in an ith group of channels according to a subarray directional diagram corresponding to an ith geographical area, wherein the ith geographical area corresponds to the ith group of channels, i is 1,2, … … and N in sequence, the beam forming device comprises N groups of channels, and N is an integer greater than 1.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining the geographic area corresponding to each group of channels comprises:

determining the type of each geographic area, wherein the types of the geographic areas comprise a first type and a second type, the geographic area of the first type comprises terminal equipment in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode, and the geographic area of the second type comprises terminal equipment in a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) mode;

and determining the geographic area corresponding to each group of channels in the beam forming device of the first satellite according to the type of each geographic area, wherein the TDD channel group corresponds to the geographic area of the first type, and the FDD channel group corresponds to the geographic area of the second type.

7. The method according to any of claims 4-6, wherein said determining the coding information of the precoding module in the beamforming apparatus according to the at least two geographical areas comprises:

determining a spot beam corresponding to each geographic area;

determining the forming direction of each point beam according to the point beam corresponding to each geographical area, wherein the forming direction of the point beam corresponding to one geographical area is positioned in a subarray directional diagram of the geographical area;

and determining the coding information of a precoding module in the beamforming device according to the forming direction of each point beam.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the spot beam for each geographic area comprises:

and determining the spot beam corresponding to each geographic area according to at least one of the number of the terminal equipment in each geographic area or the service information of the terminal equipment in each geographic area.

9. The method according to any one of claims 4-6, further comprising:

determining that a first terminal device is located in an overlapping region of geographic areas covered by the first satellite moving in a direction away from the first terminal device and a second satellite moving in a direction closer to the first terminal device;

and sending first switching indication information to the second satellite, wherein the first switching indication information comprises the position of the first terminal equipment, and the first switching indication information is used for indicating the second satellite to adjust the spot beam direction according to the position of the first terminal equipment.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein after sending the first handover indication message to the second satellite, further comprising:

receiving a first switching response message sent by the second satellite, wherein the first switching response message is used for indicating the first terminal equipment to be switched to the second satellite;

and releasing the spot beam covering the first terminal equipment according to the first switching response message.

11. The method according to any one of claims 4-6, further comprising:

receiving second switching indication information sent by a third satellite, wherein the second switching indication information comprises the position of second terminal equipment;

and adjusting the spot beam direction of the first satellite according to the position of the second terminal equipment so that the spot beam of the first satellite covers the second terminal equipment.

12. A method of communication, comprising:

the terminal device determines a coverage area of a first spot beam, the first spot beam is a spot beam transmitted by a first satellite, a beam forming device of the first satellite comprises at least two groups of channels, the at least two groups of channels comprise at least one of a time division duplex TDD channel group and a frequency division duplex FDD channel group, wherein the TDD channel group comprises S TDD channels, the FDD channel group comprises S FDD channels, each channel comprises a digital-to-analog converter (DAC)/analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a radio frequency transceiver module, a power divider and a phase shifter array which are sequentially connected, one end of an ith combiner group is connected with a phase shifter array in an ith channel in each group of channels, the other end of the ith combiner group is connected with an ith antenna subarray, wherein i is 1,2 and … … S sequentially, and the phase shifter configurations in each group of channels are mutually independent, the first spot beam is obtained by the first satellite according to configuration information of phase shifters in each group of channels in the beam forming device and coding information of a precoding module in the beam forming device, wherein the coding information comprises an amplitude weight and a phase weight of each spot beam;

and the terminal equipment accesses the first satellite through the first spot beam.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the configuration information and the encoded information are determined by the first satellite based on a location of the terminal device.

14. A device for controlling beam forming is applied to a first satellite, the beam forming device of the first satellite comprises at least two groups of channels, the at least two groups of channels comprise at least one of a time division duplex TDD channel group and a frequency division duplex FDD channel group, the TDD channel group comprises S TDD channels, the FDD channel group comprises S FDD channels, each channel comprises a digital-to-analog converter (DAC)/analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a radio frequency transceiver module, a power divider and a phase shifter array which are sequentially connected, one end of an ith combiner group is connected with the phase shifter array in the ith channel in each group of channels, the other end of the ith combiner group is connected with an ith antenna subarray, wherein i is 1,2 and … … S in sequence, the phase shifter configurations in each group of channels are mutually independent, and the device comprises a first determining module, A second determination module and a control module, wherein,

the first determining module is used for determining at least two geographic areas to be covered;

the second determining module is configured to determine, according to the at least two geographic areas, configuration information of phase shifters in each group of channels in the beamforming device and coding information of a precoding module in the beamforming device, where the coding information includes an amplitude weight and a phase weight of each point beam;

the control module is used for controlling the beam forming device to transmit the spot beam according to the configuration information and the coding information.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second determining module is specifically configured to:

determining a geographical area corresponding to each group of channels;

determining a subarray directional diagram corresponding to each geographic area;

determining configuration information of phase shifters in an ith group of channels according to a subarray directional diagram corresponding to an ith geographical area, wherein the ith geographical area corresponds to the ith group of channels, i is 1,2, … … and N in sequence, the beam forming device comprises N groups of channels, and N is an integer greater than 1.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first determining module is configured to:

determining the type of each geographic area, wherein the types of the geographic areas comprise a first type and a second type, the geographic area of the first type comprises terminal equipment in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode, and the geographic area of the second type comprises terminal equipment in a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) mode;

and determining the geographic area corresponding to each group of channels in the beam forming device of the first satellite according to the type of each geographic area, wherein the TDD channel group corresponds to the geographic area of the first type, and the FDD channel group corresponds to the geographic area of the second type.

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 14-16, wherein the second determining module is configured to:

determining a spot beam corresponding to each geographic area;

determining the forming direction of each point beam according to the point beam corresponding to each geographical area, wherein the forming direction of the point beam corresponding to one geographical area is positioned in a subarray directional diagram of the geographical area;

and determining the coding information of a precoding module in the beamforming device according to the forming direction of each point beam.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second determining means is configured to:

and determining the spot beam corresponding to each geographic area according to at least one of the number of the terminal equipment in each geographic area or the service information of the terminal equipment in each geographic area.

19. The apparatus according to any of claims 14-16, further comprising a third determining module and a sending module, wherein,

the third determining module is configured to determine that a first terminal device is located in an overlapping area of geographic areas covered by the first satellite and the second satellite, the first satellite moving in a direction away from the first terminal device, and the second satellite moving in a direction close to the first terminal device;

the sending module is configured to send first handover indication information to the second satellite, where the first handover indication information includes a position of the first terminal device, and the first handover indication information is used to indicate the second satellite to adjust a spot beam direction according to the position of the first terminal device.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a receiving module, wherein,

the receiving module is configured to receive a first handover response message sent by the second satellite after the sending module sends first handover indication information to the second satellite, where the first handover response message is used to indicate that the first terminal device is handed over to the second satellite;

the control module is further configured to release the spot beam covering the first terminal device according to the first handover response message.

21. The apparatus of claim 20,

the receiving module is further configured to receive second handover indication information sent by a third satellite, where the second handover indication information includes a location of a second terminal device;

the control module is further configured to adjust a spot beam direction of the first satellite according to the position of the second terminal device, so that the spot beam of the first satellite covers the second terminal device.

22. A communication device, comprising a determination module and an access module, wherein,

the determining module is configured to determine a coverage area of a first spot beam, where the first spot beam is a spot beam transmitted by a first satellite, a beam forming device of the first satellite includes at least two groups of channels, where the at least two groups of channels include at least one of a TDD channel group and a FDD channel group, where the TDD channel group includes S TDD channels, the FDD channel group includes S FDD channels, each channel includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC/analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a radio frequency transceiver module, a power splitter, and a phase shifter array, which are sequentially connected, one end of an ith combiner group is connected to a phase shifter array in an ith channel in each group of channels, and the other end of the ith combiner group is connected to an ith antenna subarray, where i is sequentially 1,2, … … S, and phase shifter configurations in each group of channels are mutually independent, the first spot beam is obtained by the first satellite according to configuration information of phase shifters in each group of channels in the beam forming device and coding information of a precoding module in the beam forming device, wherein the coding information comprises an amplitude weight and a phase weight of each spot beam;

the access module is configured to access the first satellite through the first spot beam.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the configuration information and the encoded information are determined for the first satellite based on a location of a terminal device.

24. An apparatus for controlling beamforming comprising a memory and a processor executing program instructions in the memory for implementing the method of controlling beamforming of any of claims 4-11.

25. A communication apparatus comprising a memory and a processor, the processor executing program instructions in the memory for implementing the communication method of claim 12 or 13.

26. A storage medium for storing a computer program for implementing the method of controlling beamforming of any of claims 4-11.

27. A storage medium characterized by storing a computer program for implementing the communication method of claim 12 or 13.

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