A phased array radar system design method based on antenna and radio frequency transceiver integration

Abstract

A design method for a phased array radar system based on antenna and RF transceiver integration is disclosed. The phased array radar system includes: a phased array antenna feed system connected to an integrated channel module; a secondary power supply module connected to power the phased array antenna feed system, the integrated channel module, and a signal processing module; the integrated channel module connected to the signal processing module; the phased array antenna feed system includes a basic module and waveguide sum and difference circuits; the basic module is packaged using wafer-level packaging technology, consisting of a multi-channel silicon-based CMOS T / R chip, an antenna, and a substrate; the integrated channel module includes a transceiver frequency converter chip and a frequency synthesizer; the transceiver frequency converter chip includes a transmit link and a receive link; the receive link includes a sum and receive channel, an azimuth difference receive channel, and an elevation difference receive channel. This invention adopts a phased array radar integration design concept based on silicon-based chip design, significantly reducing system cost and achieving miniaturized design.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of phased array radar systems, and more particularly to a design method for a phased array radar system based on antenna and radio frequency transceiver integration. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional phased array radar systems consist of subsystems such as phased array antennas, wave control systems, frequency synthesizers, direct-wave receivers, echo receivers, signal processors, and secondary power supplies. This results in numerous hardware components, high costs, and stringent space requirements, making it difficult to deploy and apply them on a large scale on small-aperture platforms. Furthermore, traditional phased array antenna systems employ micro-assembly and micro-welding processes, encapsulating various integrated chips and chip components within the same housing or cavity. This leads to large size, weight, and high cost, which are also major factors restricting the large-scale application of millimeter-wave phased array antennas.

[0003] Currently, the design methods for highly integrated phased array radar systems mainly focus on the integration design between various subsystems. For example, Chinese patent application number CN202110788632.9, "A Highly Integrated Phased Array Radar Integrated RF Front-End," integrates the antenna, TR component, transmitter, receiver, frequency synthesizer, and wave controller of the phased array radar RF front-end into a single design, and connects it to the signal processing board through a reserved digital interface to form a complete one-dimensional phased array radar. This method does not consider the integration within key subsystems such as the phased array antenna and RF transceiver, nor does it consider low cost and large-scale application. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to propose a design method for a phased array radar system based on antenna and radio frequency transceiver integration. Based on a highly integrated antenna feed system and a comprehensive channel system, this method addresses the issues of high integration and low cost in phased array radar systems from a hardware architecture perspective.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this invention proposes a design method for a phased array radar system based on antenna and RF transceiver integration. The phased array radar system includes a phased array antenna feed system, an integrated channel module, a signal processing module, and a secondary power supply module. The phased array antenna feed system is connected to the integrated channel module. The secondary power supply module is connected to power the phased array antenna feed system, the integrated channel module, and the signal processing module respectively. The integrated channel module is connected to the signal processing module. The phased array antenna feed system includes a basic module and a waveguide sum and difference device. The basic module is packaged using wafer-level packaging technology with a multi-channel silicon-based CMOS T / R chip, an antenna, and a substrate. The integrated channel module includes a transceiver frequency converter chip and a frequency synthesis source. The transceiver frequency converter chip includes a transmit link and a receive link. The receive link includes a sum reception channel, an azimuth difference reception channel, and an elevation difference reception channel, which are used to receive the sum signal, elevation difference signal, and azimuth difference signal emitted by the phased array antenna feed system, respectively.

[0006] Preferably, the phased array silicon-based CMOS T / R chip covers a frequency band from 2G to 100G, and its number of channels includes 4 channels, 16 channels, or 64 channels.

[0007] Preferably, in the basic module, the substrate is a millimeter-wave HDI multilayer composite substrate, and the antenna and the multi-channel silicon-based CMOS T / R chip are mounted on the substrate by means of vertical interconnection via vias.

[0008] Preferably, the multi-channel silicon-based CMOS T / R chip is determined according to the antenna aperture and frequency band of the phased array radar system.

[0009] Preferably, the transmit link includes an intermediate frequency amplifier, a mixer, an RF amplifier, an SPDT single-pole double-throw switch, and a power amplifier connected in sequence;

[0010] Preferably, the receiving link includes a receiving channel, an azimuth difference receiving channel, and an elevation difference receiving channel, each of which includes an SPDT single-pole double-throw switch, a low-noise amplifier, a frequency converter, and an intermediate frequency amplifier connected in sequence; the frequency converter in each channel is connected to the mixer in the transmitting link.

[0011] Preferably, the frequency synthesizer is arranged to provide a local oscillator signal device, and the local oscillator signal frequency band is determined according to the phased array radar system frequency band.

[0012] Furthermore, when the phased array radar system is 81GHz, the frequency synthesis source uses a 5GHz intermediate frequency signal mixed with a 76Hz local oscillator signal.

[0013] Preferably, the signal processing module uses an AD9361 RF A / D converter as a sampling device to process the signals of the three channels: azimuth difference receiving channel, pitch difference receiving channel, and azimuth difference receiving channel, in order to extract target speed and angle information.

[0014] Preferably, the secondary power supply isolates the external 28V power input, filters it, and converts the voltage to 12V through a DC / DC conversion circuit to power the phased array antenna feed system, integrated channel module, and signal processing module.

[0015] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0016] (1) In this invention, a mature multi-channel silicon-based CMOS T / R chip is used to replace the brick-type T / R components of the traditional phased array radar seeker. The multi-channel silicon-based CMOS T / R chip-antenna-substrate are integrated into a single package to form a highly integrated basic module. The module is spliced ​​together to form a highly integrated phased array antenna feed system. The transceiver frequency converter chip includes a transmit link and a receive link connected to the transmit link. The receive link includes a sum receive channel, an azimuth difference receive channel, and an elevation difference receive channel, which are used to receive the sum signal, elevation difference signal, and azimuth difference signal emitted by the phased array antenna feed system, respectively. This forms a multi-functional integrated transceiver frequency converter chip with "one transmit and three receive". The sum transmit channel, sum receive channel, azimuth difference receive channel, and elevation difference receive channel are integrated to form a highly integrated comprehensive channel.

[0017] (2) In this invention, a multi-channel silicon-based CMOS transceiver chip is used to replace the brick-like T / R assembly of the traditional phased array radar seeker, which significantly reduces the vertical size and production cost of the phased array antenna module. The multi-channel silicon-based CMOS T / R chip-antenna-substrate bare die is integrated into a high-density package using wafer-level packaging technology, and the basic module can be tested and replaced individually, which has scalability.

[0018] (3) The multi-functional integrated transceiver frequency converter chip with "one transmitter and three receivers" is adopted, which integrates the transmitting channel, receiving channel, azimuth difference receiving channel and elevation difference receiving channel. This not only greatly reduces the number of millimeter wave devices, compresses the system size and cost, but also improves the system reliability and production efficiency.

[0019] (4) The present invention adopts the phased array radar integration design concept based on silicon-based chip design, which greatly reduces the system cost and realizes miniaturization design. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the phased array radar system provided by the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the phased array antenna feed system structure in this invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the transceiver frequency converter chip in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] Combination Figure 1 As shown, a design method for a phased array radar system based on antenna and RF transceiver integration is presented. The phased array radar system includes a phased array antenna feed system, an integrated channel module, a signal processing module, and a secondary power supply module. The phased array antenna feed system is connected to the integrated channel module. The secondary power supply module is connected to power the phased array antenna feed system, the integrated channel module, and the signal processing module respectively. The integrated channel module is connected to the signal processing module. This method significantly reduces the hardware components of the phased array radar system, lowering the system integration difficulty.

[0026] Combination Figure 2As shown, the phased array antenna feed system includes a basic module and waveguides and differential converters. The basic module is formed by wafer-level packaging technology, consisting of a multi-channel silicon-based CMOS T / R chip, an antenna, and a substrate, creating a highly integrated basic module. The substrate is a millimeter-wave HDI multilayer composite substrate, and the antenna and the multi-channel silicon-based CMOS T / R chip are vertically interconnected via vias on the substrate. The multi-channel silicon-based CMOS T / R chip is determined according to the antenna aperture and frequency band of the phased array radar system. The phased array silicon-based CMOS T / R chip covers a frequency band from 2GHz to 100GHz, and the number of channels includes 4, 16, and 64 channels. Additional channels can be added by splicing array elements. The phased array antenna feed system uses this structure to replace the traditional brick-like T / R components of the phased array radar seeker. Wafer-level packaging technology integrates the multi-channel silicon-based CMOS T / R chip, antenna, and substrate into a high-density package. The basic module can be tested and replaced individually, providing scalability.

[0027] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the integrated channel module includes a transceiver frequency converter chip and a frequency synthesis source; the transceiver frequency converter chip includes a transmit link and a receive link; the transmit link is arranged to transmit radio frequency signals; the receive link includes a sum reception channel, an azimuth difference reception channel, and an elevation difference reception channel, which are respectively used to receive the sum signal, elevation difference signal, and azimuth difference signal emitted by the phased array antenna feed system. In this invention, the transceiver frequency converter chip integrates the functions of core link components such as the transmit link, sum reception channel, azimuth difference reception channel, and elevation difference reception channel, forming a "one-transmit, three-receive" chip.

[0028] Combination Figure 3 As shown, the transmit link includes an intermediate frequency amplifier, a mixer, an RF amplifier, an SPDT single-pole double-throw switch, and a power amplifier connected in sequence. In the transmit link, the intermediate frequency signal enters the input terminal of the multi-functional integrated transceiver converter chip, and after mixing, amplification, switching, and power amplification, it is output to drive the subsequent power amplifier chip. The SPDT single-pole double-throw switch completes the self-calibration channel / transmit channel switching function. In the self-calibration working state, it switches the output of the up-converted transmit channel to the calibration channel and turns off the final stage power amplifier inside the chip.

[0029] The receiving link includes an as-aspect receiving channel, an azimuth difference receiving channel, and an elevation difference receiving channel. Each channel consists of a SPDT single-pole double-throw switch, a low-noise amplifier, a frequency converter, and an intermediate frequency amplifier connected in sequence. The frequency converter in each channel is connected to the mixer in the transmitting link. The signal is down-converted after being switched by the switch and amplified by the low-noise amplifier, and then received through the intermediate frequency amplifier to achieve signal reception in the as-aspect channel. The elevation difference and azimuth difference signals are down-converted by the multi-functional integrated transceiver frequency converter chip and then received through the intermediate frequency amplifier to achieve signal reception in the difference channel.

[0030] In this embodiment, the frequency synthesizer is arranged to provide a local oscillator signal device, mainly composed of a phase-locked loop, amplification, and filtering. The local oscillator signal frequency band is determined according to the phased array radar system frequency band. For example, if the phased array radar system is 81GHz, then a 5GHz intermediate frequency signal is selected and mixed with a 76Hz local oscillator signal.

[0031] In this embodiment, the signal processing module uses an AD9361 RF A / D converter as the sampling device to process the signals of the three channels: azimuth difference receiving channel, pitch difference receiving channel, and azimuth difference receiving channel, in order to extract target velocity and angle information. The secondary power supply isolates the external 28V input power, filters it, and converts the voltage to 12V via a DC / DC converter circuit, supplying power to the phased array antenna feed system, integrated channel module, and signal processing module.

[0032] The working principle of this invention is as follows:

[0033] In transmit mode, the integrated channel system generates corresponding operating waveforms based on range information. The pulse signal output by the multi-functional integrated transceiver frequency converter chip is converted into a millimeter-wave signal, thereby providing the signal required by the phased array radar system. The phased array antenna feed system radiates into space via the transmit and receive channels through the main array unit. In receive mode, the echo signal is received by the main array unit of the phased array antenna feed system and formed into three channels: sum, azimuth difference, and elevation difference signals. These signals are then processed by the multi-functional integrated transceiver frequency converter chip of the integrated channel to obtain baseband digital signals. By processing the echo data from the sum and difference channels, target velocity and angle information are extracted.

[0034] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A phased array radar system design method based on antenna and radio frequency transceiver integration, characterized by: The phased array radar system comprises a phased array antenna feeder system, a comprehensive channel module, a signal processing module and a secondary power supply module; The phased array antenna feeder system is connected with the comprehensive channel module; the secondary power supply module is connected with the phased array antenna feeder system, the comprehensive channel module and the signal processing module for power supply; the comprehensive channel module is connected with the signal processing module; The phased array antenna feeder system comprises a basic module and a waveguide and a difference device; the basic module is packaged by a multi-channel silicon-based CMOST / R chip, an antenna and a substrate using wafer level packaging technology; The comprehensive channel module comprises a transceiving frequency conversion chip and a frequency comprehensive source; the transceiving frequency conversion chip comprises a transmitting link and a receiving link; the receiving link comprises a sum channel, an azimuth difference receiving channel and an elevation difference receiving channel for receiving sum signals, azimuth difference signals and elevation difference signals respectively emitted by the phased array antenna feeder system.

2. The antenna and radio frequency transceiver integration based phased array radar system design method of claim 1, wherein: The frequency band covered by the phased array silicon-based CMOS T / R chip is 2G to 100G, and the number of channels includes 4 channels, 16 channels or 64 channels.

3. The antenna and radio frequency transceiver integration based phased array radar system design method of claim 1, wherein: In the basic module, the substrate is a millimeter wave HDI multi-layer composite substrate, and the antenna and the multi-channel silicon-based CMOS T / R chip are installed on the substrate in a via vertical interconnection mode.

4. The antenna and radio frequency transceiver integration based phased array radar system design method of claim 1, wherein: The multi-channel silicon-based CMOS T / R chip is determined according to the antenna aperture and frequency band of the phased array radar system.

5. The antenna and radio frequency transceiver integration based phased array radar system design method of claim 1, wherein: The transmitting link comprises an intermediate frequency amplifier, a frequency mixer, a radio frequency amplifier, an SPDT single-pole double-throw switch and a power amplifier connected in sequence.

6. The antenna and radio frequency transceiver integration based phased array radar system design method of claim 5, wherein: The sum channel, the azimuth difference receiving channel and the elevation difference receiving channel in the receiving link each comprise an SPDT single-pole double-throw switch, a low-noise amplifier, a frequency converter and an intermediate frequency amplifier connected in sequence; the frequency converter in each channel is connected with the frequency mixer in the transmitting link.

7. The antenna and radio frequency transceiver integration based phased array radar system design method of claim 1, wherein: The frequency comprehensive source is arranged to provide a local oscillator signal device, and the local oscillator signal frequency band is determined according to the frequency band of the phased array radar system.

8. The antenna and radio frequency transceiver integration based phased array radar system design method of claim 7, wherein: When the phased array radar system is 81GHz, the frequency comprehensive source adopts a 5GHz intermediate frequency signal mixed with a 76Hz local oscillator signal.

9. The antenna and radio frequency transceiver integration based phased array radar system design method of claim 1, wherein: The signal processing module adopts an AD9361 radio frequency A / D as a sampling device for processing the types of the sum channel, the azimuth difference receiving channel and the elevation difference receiving channel to realize target speed and angle information extraction.

10. The antenna and radio frequency transceiver integration based phased array radar system design method of claim 1, wherein: The secondary power supply isolates an external input 28V power supply, converts the voltage into 12V through a filter to a DC / DC conversion circuit, and supplies power to the phased array antenna feeder system, the comprehensive channel module and the signal processing module.

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