Patent Description:
With the further development of <NUM> industry, millimeter wave terminal devices will become popular. A double-conversion signal transceiving method is generally adopted in the existing millimeter wave terminal schemes. That is, baseband signals are firstly up-converted into intermediate-frequency (IF) signals, and the IF signals are then up-converted into radio frequency (RF) signals in millimeter wave frequency bands. According to the requirements for the rate of FR2 frequency bands in the 3GPP specification and the implementability of the circuit, the frequency of IF signals is generally selected within the range of <NUM> or less. In the nonstandalone (NSA) mode, LTE frequency bands may generate harmonic and intermodulation interference with millimeter wave IF signals; and in the NR CA mode, Sub-<NUM> frequency modes may also generate harmonic and intermodulation interference with millimeter wave IF signals. Due to various frequency bands and complex frequency combinations, these interferences are often difficult to avoid. Therefore, how to resist interference becomes a technical problem to be solved urgently at present.

<CIT> relates to apparatuses and methods for simultaneously operating as a wireless radio and monitoring the local frequency spectrum. For example, described are wireless radio devices that use a secondary receiver to monitor frequencies within the operating band and prevent or avoid interferers, including in particular half-IF interferers.

<CIT> relates to a method and apparatus for optimizing performance of a transceiver selecting and processing an intermediate frequency free of significant interference, such as noise. A frequency band may be scanned to detect interference upon which an intermediate frequency free of significant interference may be selected.

<CIT> relates to a wireless communication device, which includes a first wireless communication system and a second wireless communication system. Regarding the first wireless communication system, an up-conversion circuit up-converts a first transmit (TX) signal in a baseband to generate a second TX signal with a first carrier frequency, and a front-end circuit transmits the second TX signal to another wireless communication device.

<CIT> relates to systems and methods for distributed phased array multiple input multiple output (DPA-MIMO) communications. A system may comprise a baseband processing unit; a plurality of beamforming (BF) modules each of which comprises at least a beamforming antenna and a transceiver circuit comprising at least a downconverter that downconverts a beamformed antenna radio frequency signal to an intermediate frequency signal, and an upconverter that upconverts an intermediate frequency signal to radio frequency and sends to said beamforming antenna for transmission; a plurality of intermediate frequency (IF) radios, each of which comprises a receive chain circuit that includes at least a downconverter that downconverts an intermediate frequency signal sent from said BF module to a basedband signal conveyed to said baseband processing unit, and a transmit chain circuit that includes at least an upconverter that upconverts a baseband signal received from said baseband processing unit to an intermediate frequency signal which is conveyed to said beamforming module; and a plurality of cables or any type of physical signal transmission medium, each of which connects one of said beamforming modules with one of said intermediate frequency radios.

In order to solve at least one of the technical problems in the existing technology, the present disclosure provides a local oscillator control method and system, a signal transceiving method and a terminal device, which can adaptively adjust a frequency point of a local oscillator signal according to different scenes so as to avoid interference between an intermediate-frequency signal matched with this local oscillator signal and an operating frequency band in the current scene.

In order to make those having ordinary skills in the art better understand the technical schemes of the present disclosure, the local oscillator control method and system, the signal transceiving method and the terminal provided by the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

With reference to <FIG>, a first embodiment of the present disclosure provides a local oscillator control method. The method may include steps S101 to S103.

At S101, when an operating resource of a scene is received and a millimeter wave resource is contained in the operating resource, an operating frequency band for the scene is extracted from the operating resource.

For example, the operating frequency band is an LTE frequency band in the EN-DC mode, a frequency point of a non-millimeter wave NR signal in the NR CA mode, and the like.

S101 plays a role in intelligently identifying a current scene.

At S102, an evaluation is made on whether interference presents between the operating frequency band and a default frequency point of a millimeter wave intermediate-frequency signal; and, if yes, S <NUM> will be executed.

At S103, a new frequency point of a local oscillator signal matched with an interference-free frequency point of an intermediate-frequency signal is acquired, and the frequency point of the local oscillator signal is adjusted from a default frequency point of the local oscillator signal to the new frequency point.

At S103, the intermediate-frequency signal obtained by up-mixing the local oscillator signal utilizing the new frequency point with a baseband signal or the intermediate-frequency signal obtained by down-mixing the local oscillator signal utilizing the new frequency point with a millimeter wave signal will not interfere with the operating frequency band in the current scene. Thus, in accordance with the local oscillator control method provided in this embodiment, a dynamic adjustment of the frequency point of the local oscillator signal can be realized, so that the frequency point of the local oscillator signal can be adaptively adjusted for different scenes to avoid interference between the intermediate-frequency signal matched with the local oscillator signal and the operating frequency band in the current scene.

With reference to <FIG>, a second embodiment of the present disclosure provides a local oscillator control method. The method may include steps S201 to S205.

At S201, an intermediate-frequency signal list is preconfigured, where the intermediate-frequency signal list includes a default frequency point of a millimeter wave intermediate-frequency signal, a default frequency point of a local oscillator signal and a new frequency point of the local oscillator signal matched with an interference-free frequency point of an intermediate-frequency signal in various scenes.

During the configuration process of the intermediate-frequency signal list, all supported scenes related to the millimeter wave frequency band will be evaluated according to the software and hardware conditions of the terminal device, and the most commonly used intermediate-frequency signal configuration is comprehensively selected as a default configuration. The intermediate-frequency signal configuration contains the default frequency point of the millimeter wave intermediate-frequency signal and the default frequency point of the local oscillator signal. Meanwhile, the new frequency point of the local oscillator signal matched with the interference-free frequency point of the intermediate-frequency signal in various scenes is comprehensively calculated, and an intermediate-frequency signal configuration index corresponding to each scene is obtained by mapping.

In an embodiment, the scene includes a dual connection (EN-DC) mode or a new radio carrier aggregation (NR CA) mode of a <NUM> radio access network and <NUM> new radio, and the like.

At S202, when an operating resource of a scene is received and a millimeter wave resource is contained in the operating resource, an operating frequency band in the scene is extracted from the operating resource.

For example, the operating frequency band is an LTE frequency band in the EN-DC mode, or a frequency point of a non-millimeter wave NR signal in the NR CA mode.

At S203, an evaluation is made on whether interference presents between the operating frequency band and the default frequency point of the millimeter wave intermediate-frequency signal; if yes, S204 will be executed; and, if no, S205 will be executed.

At S204, a new frequency point of the local oscillator signal matched with the interference-free frequency point of the intermediate-frequency signal is acquired, and the frequency point of the local oscillator signal is adjusted from the default frequency point of the local oscillator signal to the new frequency point.

At S205, the frequency point of the local oscillator signal is kept as the default frequency point.

At S204, the local oscillator signal utilizing the new frequency point is subjected to frequency conversion, so that the intermediate-frequency signal obtained by frequency conversion will not interfere with the operating frequency band in the current scene. Thus, in accordance with the local oscillator control method provided in this embodiment, a dynamic adjustment of the frequency point of the local oscillator signal can be realized, so that the frequency point of the local oscillator signal can be adaptively adjusted for different scenes to avoid interference between the intermediate-frequency signal matched with the local oscillator signal and the operating frequency band in the current scene.

During the execution of S204, the new frequency point of the local oscillator signal corresponding to the current scene can be selected from the intermediate-frequency signal configuration index according to this scene. Of course, in practical applications, the new frequency point of the local oscillator signal can also be obtained by any other methods, which will not be limited by the embodiment.

With reference to <FIG>, in an embodiment, the local oscillator control method according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure includes steps S301 to S307.

At S301, an operating resource allocated by a base station network is received.

At S302, whether the operating resource contains a millimeter wave resource is determined; if yes, S203 will be executed; and, if no, S208 will be executed.

At S303, an operating frequency band in a scene is extracted from the operating resource.

At S304, whether interference presents between the operating frequency band and a default frequency point of a millimeter wave intermediate-frequency signal is evaluated; if yes, S305 will be executed; and, if no, S306 will be executed.

At S305, a new frequency point of a local oscillator signal matched with an interference-free frequency point of an intermediate-frequency signal is acquired, and the frequency point of the local oscillator signal is adjusted from a default frequency point of the local oscillator signal to the new frequency point.

At S306, the frequency point of the local oscillator signal is kept as the default frequency point.

At S307, waiting for receiving a new resource allocated by the base station network (the new resource is changed relative to the original operating resource) is performed.

With reference to <FIG>, according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a local oscillator control system <NUM>. The system <NUM> may include a central control unit <NUM> and a local oscillator control unit <NUM>. When an operating resource of a scene is received and the operating resource contains a millimeter wave resource, the central control unit <NUM> is configured to extract, from the operating resource, an operating frequency band in the scene, and evaluate whether interference presents between the operating frequency band and a default frequency point of a millimeter wave intermediate-frequency signal.

If interference presents, the central control unit <NUM> acquires a new frequency point of a local oscillator signal matched with an interference-free frequency point of an intermediate-frequency signal, and controls the local oscillator control unit <NUM> to adjust the frequency point of the local oscillator signal from a default frequency point of the local oscillator signal to the new frequency point.

If no interference presents, the central control unit <NUM> controls the local oscillator control unit <NUM> to adjust and keep the frequency point of the local oscillator signal as the default frequency point.

In accordance with the local oscillator control system <NUM> provided in this embodiment, a dynamic adjustment of the frequency point of the local oscillator signal can be realized, so that the frequency point of the local oscillator signal can be adaptively adjusted for different scenes to avoid interference between the intermediate-frequency signal matched with the local oscillator signal and the operating frequency band in the current scene.

In this embodiment, the local oscillator control unit <NUM> includes a first sub-unit <NUM> and a second sub-unit <NUM>. The first sub-unit <NUM> is configured to adjust a frequency point of a first local oscillator signal under the control of the central control unit <NUM>, mix the first local oscillator signal with a baseband signal received by a mainboard module to form an intermediate-frequency signal, and mix the first local oscillator signal with an intermediate-frequency signal received by the mainboard module to form a baseband signal.

The second sub-unit <NUM> is configured to adjust a frequency point of a second local oscillator signal under the control of the central control unit <NUM>, mix the second local oscillator signal with an intermediate-frequency signal received by a millimeter wave module to form a millimeter wave signal, and mix the second local oscillator signal with a millimeter wave signal received by the millimeter wave module to form an intermediate-frequency signal.

With reference to <FIG>, according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a terminal <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> is applicable to a millimeter wave terminal and includes a mainboard module <NUM>, an intermediate-frequency transmission line <NUM>, a millimeter wave module <NUM> and a local oscillator control system <NUM>. The local oscillator control system <NUM> is the local oscillator control system <NUM> according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

The local oscillator control system <NUM> is configured to, when the mainboard module <NUM> receives a baseband signal, mix a first local oscillator signal with the baseband signal to form an intermediate-frequency signal; when the mainboard module <NUM> receives an intermediate-frequency signal, mix the first local oscillator signal with the received intermediate-frequency signal to form a baseband signal; when the millimeter wave module <NUM> receives an intermediate-frequency signal transmitted by the mainboard module <NUM>, mix a second local oscillator signal with the intermediate-frequency signal to form a millimeter wave signal; and, when the millimeter wave module <NUM> receives a millimeter wave signal, mix the second local oscillator signal with the millimeter wave signal to form an intermediate-frequency signal.

In this embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the mainboard module <NUM> includes an intermediate-frequency transceiving unit <NUM> and a mainboard side connector <NUM>. The millimeter wave module <NUM> includes a radio frequency transceiving unit <NUM>, a millimeter wave module side connector <NUM>, a switch control unit <NUM> and an antenna unit <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, intermediate-frequency signals are transmitted between the mainboard side connector <NUM> and the millimeter wave module side connector <NUM> through the intermediate-frequency transmission line <NUM>.

The intermediate-frequency transmission line <NUM> includes a coaxial cable, a flexible circuit board, and the like. The flexible circuit board may be made of a high-frequency flexible printed circuit board (FPC), a liquid crystal polymer (LCP), and the like.

In this embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, when the intermediate-frequency transceiving unit <NUM> receives a baseband signal, the first sub-unit <NUM> mixes the first local oscillator signal with the baseband signal to form an intermediate-frequency signal. The first sub-unit <NUM> adjusts the frequency point of the first local oscillator signal under the control of the central control unit <NUM>, so that the frequency point of the intermediate-frequency signal formed by frequency mixing will not interfere with the operating frequency band in the current scene.

The intermediate-frequency transceiving unit <NUM> filters the intermediate-frequency signal obtained after frequency mixing and then transmits the signal to the millimeter wave module side connector <NUM> through the mainboard side connector <NUM> and the intermediate-frequency transmission line <NUM>. The intermediate-frequency transceiving unit <NUM> successively performs primary filtering, amplification and secondary filtering on the intermediate-frequency signal formed by mixing with the baseband signal.

When the mainboard side connector <NUM> receives the intermediate-frequency signal from the millimeter wave module side connector <NUM>, the intermediate-frequency transceiving unit <NUM> filters the intermediate-frequency signal. The intermediate-frequency transceiving unit <NUM> successively performs primary filtering, amplification and secondary filtering on the intermediate-frequency signal received by the mainboard side connector <NUM>.

The first sub-unit <NUM> mixes the filtered first local oscillator signal with the intermediate-frequency signal to form a baseband signal.

As shown in <FIG>, when the millimeter wave module side connector <NUM> receives the intermediate-frequency signal transmitted by the mainboard side connector <NUM>, the second sub-unit <NUM> mixes the second local oscillator with the intermediate-frequency signal to form a millimeter wave signal.

The radio frequency transceiving unit <NUM> filters the millimeter wave signal formed by frequency mixing, and then transmits the millimeter wave signal successively through the switch control unit <NUM> and the antenna unit <NUM>. The radio frequency transceiving unit <NUM> successively performs primary filtering, amplification and secondary filtering on the millimeter wave signal.

When the antenna unit <NUM> receives the millimeter wave signal, the radio frequency transceiving unit <NUM> filters the millimeter wave signal. The radio frequency transceiving unit <NUM> successively performs primary filtering, low-noise amplification and secondary filtering on the millimeter wave signal.

The second sub-unit <NUM> mixes the second local oscillator signal with the millimeter wave signal to form an intermediate-frequency signal. The second sub-unit <NUM> adjusts the frequency point of the second local oscillator signal under the control of the central control unit <NUM>, so that the frequency point of the intermediate-frequency signal formed by frequency mixing will not interfere with the operating frequency band in the current scene. The millimeter wave module side connector <NUM> transmits the intermediate-frequency signal obtained after frequency mixing to the mainboard side connector <NUM> through the intermediate-frequency transmission line <NUM>.

In accordance with the terminal <NUM> provided in this embodiment, by adopting the local oscillator signal system <NUM> provided in the second embodiment, the frequency point of the local oscillator signal can be adaptively adjusted for different scenes to avoid interference between the intermediate-frequency signal matched with the local oscillator signal and the operating frequency band in the current scene.

As another technical scheme, this embodiment further provides a signal transceiving method. By taking transceiving signals by the terminal provided in the fourth embodiment as an example, as shown in <FIG>, the signal transceiving method includes steps of: when a mainboard module <NUM> receives a baseband signal, mixing a first local oscillator signal with the baseband signal to form an intermediate-frequency signal; when the mainboard module <NUM> receives an intermediate-frequency signal, mixing the first local oscillator signal with the received intermediate-frequency signal to form a baseband signal; when the millimeter wave module <NUM> receiving an intermediate-frequency signal transmitted by the mainboard module <NUM>, mixing a second local oscillator signal with the intermediate-frequency signal to form a millimeter wave signal; and, when the millimeter wave module <NUM> receives a millimeter wave signal, mixing the second local oscillator signal with the millimeter wave signal to form an intermediate-signal signal.

In the signal transceiving method provided in this embodiment, the frequency points of the first local oscillator signal and the second local oscillator signal are controlled by the local oscillator control method provided in the first embodiment.

In accordance with the signal transceiving method provided in this embodiment, by adopting the local oscillator control method provided in the first embodiment, the frequency point of the local oscillator signal can be adaptively adjusted for different scenes to avoid interference between the intermediate-frequency signal matched with the local oscillator signal and the operating frequency band in the current scene.

As another technical scheme, this embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a computer-readable storage medium configured to store executable programs which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the local oscillator control method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure or the signal transceiving method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

The computer-readable storage medium includes volatile or non-volatile and removable or non-removable mediums implemented in any method or technology used to store information (such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data). The computer-readable storage medium includes, but not limited to, RAMs, ROMs, EEPROMs, flash memories or other memory technologies, CD-ROMs, digital video disks (DVDs) or other optical disk storages, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storages or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediums which can be used to store desired information and can be accessed by computers.

In accordance with the computer-readable storage medium according to this embodiment of the present disclosure, by evaluating whether interference presents between the operating frequency band in the current scene and the default frequency point of the millimeter wave intermediate-frequency signal, acquiring the new frequency point of the local oscillator signal matched with the interference-free frequency point of the intermediate-frequency signal when there is interference, and adjusting the frequency point of the local oscillator signal from the default frequency point to the new frequency point, dynamic adjustment of the frequency point of the local oscillator signal can be realized, so that the frequency point of the local oscillator signal can be adaptively adjusted for different scenes to avoid interference between the intermediate-frequency signal matched with the local oscillator signal and the operating frequency band in the current scene.

As another technical scheme, this embodiment of the present disclosure further provides an electronic device. The electronic device may include a storage module and one or more first processors.

The storage module has first application programs and/or second application programs stored thereon. The first application programs, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the one or more first processors to carry out the local oscillator control method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The second application programs, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the one or more first processors to carry out the signal transceiving method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
A local oscillator control method, comprising:
in response to receiving an operating resource of a scene and determining that the operating resource contains a millimeter wave resource, extracting, from the operating resource, an operating frequency band in the scene that is different from the millimeter wave resource (<NUM>);
evaluating whether interference presents between the operating frequency band and a default frequency point of an intermediate-frequency signal associated with the millimeter wave resource (<NUM>); and
in response to a presence of interference, acquiring a new frequency point of a local oscillator signal matched with an interference-free frequency point of an intermediate-frequency signal, and adaptively adjusting the frequency point of the local oscillator signal from a default frequency point of the local oscillator signal to the new frequency point (<NUM>).