Communication device, processing method, and bias tee

Abstract

To provide a communication device that can supply a DC voltage from a centralized power supply to an amplifier without applying a connector to the amplifier for directly supplying the DC voltage from the centralized power supply to the amplifier.SOLUTION: A communication device includes a bias tee that is connected to one end of a coaxial line whose other end is connected to a signal output terminal of a low-noise amplifier and that outputs a DC voltage to the low-noise amplifier via the coaxial line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication device, a processing method, and a Bias Tee. [Background technology]

[0002] Communication systems are used in a variety of fields. Patent Document 1 discloses a related technique that can reduce power consumption in a wireless module. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-216529 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, in a communication system, when a DC voltage is directly supplied from a centralized power source to an amplifier, it is necessary to apply a connector to the amplifier for directly supplying the DC voltage from the centralized power source to the amplifier. Therefore, the amplifier becomes larger due to the connector. Also, generally, in a communication system, in order to suppress a decrease in reception performance (G / T), it is necessary to install the amplifier near the receiving antenna and minimize the power supply loss between the receiving antenna and the amplifier. Therefore, generally, in a communication system, the presence of the amplifier connector limits the limit of how close the amplifier can be to the receiving antenna. In other words, in a communication system, the presence of the amplifier connector limits the reduction possible value of the power supply loss between the receiving antenna and the amplifier. Therefore, in a communication system, a technology is required that can realize the supply of a DC voltage from a centralized power source to an amplifier without applying a connector to the amplifier for directly supplying the DC voltage from the centralized power source to the amplifier.

[0005] An object of each aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a communication device, a processing method, and a Bias Tee that can solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device includes a bias tee connected to one end of a coaxial line whose other end is connected to a signal output terminal of a low-noise amplifier, and which outputs a DC voltage to the low-noise amplifier via the coaxial line.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a processing method is performed by a Bias Tee connected to one end of a coaxial line whose other end is connected to a signal output terminal of a low-noise amplifier, and includes outputting a DC voltage to the low-noise amplifier via the coaxial line.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a Bias Tee is a Bias Tee connected to one end of a coaxial line whose other end is connected to a signal output terminal of a low-noise amplifier, and outputs a DC voltage to the low-noise amplifier via the coaxial line. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to each aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to supply a DC voltage from a centralized power supply to an amplifier without applying a connector to the amplifier for directly supplying the DC voltage from the centralized power supply to the amplifier. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system to be compared. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of such a Bias Tee configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating such a second communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a third communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow of a communication device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. <Embodiment> A communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The communication system 1 is a system in which the number of wirings for DC (Direct Current) power supply is reduced while miniaturizing the low noise amplifier (hereinafter, referred to as "LNA") of the comparative communication system 500. In order to improve ease of wiring during assembly at the satellite level while miniaturizing the LNA, in the communication system 1, a bias tee is inserted in an RF coaxial line (coaxial cable in FIG. 2 shown later) connected to the RF (Radio Frequency) output of the LNA, and a positive voltage (DC) from a centralized power supply unit (hereinafter, referred to as "CPSU") is superimposed on the RF coaxial line via the bias tee, and the positive voltage (DC) is supplied from the RF output terminal of the LNA.

[0012] (Configuration of the communication system to be compared) In order to facilitate understanding of the communication system 1, a comparative communication system 500 will be described first. In recent years, the transmission capacity of satellite communication has increased significantly, and the demand for high throughput satellites (hereinafter referred to as HTS) has increased accordingly. To realize HTS, a large number of repeaters are required to be mounted on a satellite, ranging from several tens to several hundred. Accordingly, the number of LNAs, which is one of the communication devices mounted on a satellite, may exceed 100 units per satellite. When driving such a large number of LNAs, a CPSU capable of driving more than 100 LNAs is mounted as a separate device from the LNAs, rather than each LNA having a built-in power supply. Also, in order to minimize the deterioration of the reception performance (G / T), the LNA needs to be mounted near the receiving antenna to minimize the power supply loss between the antenna and the LNA. For this reason, a large number of LNAs are densely mounted near the antenna, and the LNAs are miniaturized by making the power supply function a separate device. The comparative communication system 500 is a communication system in which a large number of LNAs are densely mounted near the antenna, and the LNAs are miniaturized by making the power supply function a separate device.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system 500 for comparison. In the communication system 500, DC power is supplied between 32 Ka-band LNAs and the CPSU. Two lines, a positive voltage (DC) for driving each LNA (LNA1 to LNA32) and its return (hereinafter RTN), are wired from the CPSU to each LNA. To wire these, each LNA requires a small D-sub connector (J01 to J32), which is an obstacle to miniaturization. In the communication system 500, there are 32 LNAs, and a total of 64 wires are required between the LNAs and the CPSU. As mentioned above, in the communication system 500, each LNA is densely mounted near the receiving antenna. Therefore, in the communication system 500, the workability of this part is poor when assembling at the satellite level, and another problem is that wiring takes time.

[0014] (Configuration of the communication system of the present disclosure) Next, a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The communication system 1 is a communication system that reduces the number of wirings for DC power supply while miniaturizing the LNA, and simultaneously achieves improved ease of wiring during assembly at the satellite level. To achieve this, in the communication system 1, a bias tee is inserted into an RF coaxial line (coaxial cable in FIG. 2 shown later) connected to the RF output of the LNA, and a positive voltage (DC) from the CPSU is superimposed on the RF coaxial line via the bias tee, and a positive voltage (DC) is supplied from the RF output terminal of the LNA.

[0015] As a result, communication system 1 does not require the small D-sub connector that was required for the LNA of comparative communication system 500, making it possible to further miniaturize the LNA. Also, in communication system 1, RTN can be achieved using the outer conductor of the RF coaxial line, making the RTN line unnecessary and reducing the number of wires. In addition, the bias tee of communication system 1 does not need to be located in the immediate vicinity of the LNA, and can be placed in a location within the satellite structure where wiring is easy between the LNA and the next stage device (such as a SW (Switch) or Converter or OBP (On-Board Processor)), improving the ease of wiring during assembly at the satellite level.

[0016] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG 1, the communication system 1 includes a CPSU 10, a receiving antenna 20, a communication device 30, and a device (SW, Converter, or OBP) 40.

[0017] The CPSU 10 supplies power to an LNA 301 (described later) via a Bias Tee 302 (described later) of the communication device 30. The receiving antenna 20 receives an RF signal. The receiving antenna 20 outputs the received RF signal to the communication device 30.

[0018] 2, the communication device 30 includes an LNA 301, a Bias Tee 302, and RF coaxial lines 303a and 303b. The RF coaxial lines 303a and 303b may be collectively referred to as an RF coaxial line 303.

[0019] The LNA 301 receives power from the CPSU 10 via the Bias Tee 302 and the RF coaxial line 303a. The LNA 301 also receives an RF signal from the receiving antenna 20. The LNA 301 amplifies the received RF signal. The LNA 301 outputs the amplified RF signal to the Bias Tee 302 via the RF coaxial line 303a.

[0020] The Bias Tee 302 superimposes a DC voltage on the RF signal propagating on the RF coaxial line 303. The Bias Tee 302 extracts the RF signal from the superimposed signal (i.e., the RF signal + DC voltage). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the Bias Tee 302 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the Bias Tee 302 includes lines 3021 and 3022 and a capacitor 3023. The Bias Tee 302 also includes terminals #1 to #4. The terminal #4 is a ground terminal. The ground terminal GND of the CPSU 10 is connected to the terminal #4. The DC voltage output by the CPSU 10 is applied to the terminal #3. The wiring and lines in the Bias Tee 302 are configured, for example, by a distributed constant circuit on a high-frequency board. For example, assuming that the operating frequency of the Bias Tee 302 is the Ka band (30 GHz), a 2.92 mm connector that is an interface for an RF signal is connected to each of the terminals #1 and #2.

[0021] The line 3021 is a transmission line having a quarter wavelength with respect to the frequency f0 of the RF signal, and is provided between point A and terminal #3 in FIG.

[0022] The line 3022 is an open stub having a quarter wavelength with respect to the frequency f0 of the RF signal. One end of the line 3022 is connected to the terminal #3 as shown in Fig. 3. The other end of the line 3022 is in an open state as shown in Fig. 3.

[0023] Capacitor 3023 outputs the RF signal received by Bias Tee 302 at terminal #1 from terminal #2 through RF coaxial line 303b to device (SW, converter, or OBP) 40. A capacitor having a capacitance that provides sufficiently low impedance so that loss is reduced for the frequency f0 of the RF signal is selected as capacitor 3023. Note that capacitor 3023 does not allow a DC voltage applied to point A shown in FIG. 3 through line 3021 from Bias Tee 302 to pass.

[0024] Due to the above-mentioned lines 3021 and 3022, the impedance for the frequency f0 of the RF signal when looking at the terminal #3 side from point A is infinite. Therefore, the side from point A to terminal #3 is in an open state for the RF signal. As a result, the Bias Tee 302 outputs the RF signal received at terminal #1 from the LNA 301 via the RF coaxial line 303a to the device (SW, converter, or OBP) 40 from terminal #2. In addition, the DC voltage applied from the CPSU 10 to the terminal #3 of the Bias Tee 302 is applied to the LNA 301 from terminal #1 via the RF coaxial line 303a.

[0025] The RF coaxial line 303a connects the LNA 301 and the bias tee 302. The RF coaxial line 303a transmits the DC voltage applied from the CPSU 10 to the LNA 301 from the output terminal of the LNA 301.

[0026] The RF coaxial line 303b connects the Bias Tee 302 and the device (SW, Converter, or OBP) 40. The RF coaxial line 303b transmits the amplified RF signal applied to the LNA 301 to the device (SW, Converter, or OBP) 40.

[0027] The device (SW, Converter, or OBP) 40 is provided at the next stage of the LNA 301. The device (SW, Converter, or OBP) 40 executes a predetermined process on the amplified RF signal.

[0028] The communication system 1 is an example of a configuration in which only one system of the Bias Tee 302 is housed in a housing. As shown in Fig. 2, the Bias Tee 302 is placed between the coaxial cable connecting the Ka-band LNA 301 and the next stage device (SW or Converter or OBP) 40. The positive voltage (DC) supplied from the Bias Tee 302 is input to the LNA 301 from the output terminal of the LNA 301 via the coaxial cable.

[0029] (Operation of the communication system of the present disclosure) Next, the operation of the communication system 1 will be described. Here, the operation of the Bias Tee 302 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. The operating frequency of the Bias Tee 302 is assumed to be the Ka band (30 GHz). The I / F (Interface) of the RF signal is a 2.92 mm connector at terminals #1 and #2. A positive voltage (DC) and RTN are input from terminals #3 and #4, respectively. The transmission line in the Bias Tee 302 is formed of a high-frequency board. The RF signal input from terminal #1 is output to terminal #2 via capacitor C1. A capacitor with a capacitance value that provides a sufficiently low impedance so that loss is small for the RF frequency is selected as the capacitor C1. A transmission line (line 1) and an open stub (line 2) that are a quarter wavelength (λ / 4) for the input RF frequency f0 are arranged between point A and terminal #3 as shown in FIG. 3. At this time, the impedance when looking at the terminal #3 side from point A is open due to line 1 and line 2. Therefore, the RF signal is not transmitted to terminal #3, but propagates with low loss to terminal #2 via capacitor C1. On the other hand, the positive voltage (DC) input from terminal #3 is output only to terminal #1, not to terminal #2, due to capacitor C1.

[0030] (advantage) The communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. In the communication device 30 of the communication system 1, the Bias Tee 302 is connected to one end of an RF coaxial line 303a (an example of a coaxial line), the other end of which is connected to a signal output terminal of an LNA 301 (an example of a low noise amplifier). The Bias Tee 302 outputs a DC voltage to the LNA 301 via the RF coaxial line 303a. This communication device 30 can realize the supply of a DC voltage from a centralized power supply (for example, the CPSU 10) to an amplifier (for example, the LNA 301) without applying a connector to the amplifier for directly supplying the DC voltage from the centralized power supply to the amplifier.

[0031] That is, in the communication system 1, the number of wires for DC power supply is reduced while miniaturizing the LNA 301, and the ease of wiring during assembly at the satellite level is improved at the same time. For this purpose, in the communication system 1, the bias tee 302 is inserted into the RF coaxial line portion 303 connected to the RF output of the LNA 301, and the positive voltage (DC) from the CPSU is superimposed on the RF coaxial line 303 through the bias tee, and the positive voltage (DC) is supplied from the RF output end of the LNA 301. This makes it unnecessary to use a small D-sub connector for DC I / F, which was necessary in the LNA of the comparative communication system 500 and the like, and allows the LNA to be further miniaturized. In addition, since the RTN can be obtained by the outer conductor of the RF coaxial line, the RTN line is also unnecessary, and the number of wires can be reduced. In addition, the bias tee does not need to be mounted in the immediate vicinity of the LNA, and can be mounted in a position within the satellite structure where wiring between the LNA and the next stage equipment (SW or Converter or OBP, etc.) is easy. Therefore, in the communication system 1, the ease of wiring during assembly at the satellite level is significantly improved compared to the conventional art.

[0032] Furthermore, the communication system 1 solves the following problem: "In order to minimize degradation of reception performance (G / T), the LNA must be mounted near the receiving antenna to minimize power supply loss between the antenna and the LNA. For this reason, miniaturization of the LNA is essential for satellites such as HTS, which require a large number of LNAs to be densely mounted near the antenna. However, conventional LNAs require a small D-sub connector for DC power supply, which is an obstacle to miniaturization. Another problem is that during assembly at the satellite level, wiring to the densely mounted LNA part is difficult to work with and takes time."

[0033] Generally, when a DC voltage is directly supplied from a centralized power supply to an amplifier, a connector for directly supplying the DC voltage from the centralized power supply to the amplifier must be applied to the amplifier. This causes the amplifier to become larger due to the connector. Generally, in order to suppress a decrease in reception performance (G / T), it is necessary to install the amplifier near the receiving antenna and minimize the power supply loss between the receiving antenna and the amplifier. As a result, when multiple amplifiers are densely mounted near the antenna, it may become difficult to connect the centralized power supply to the amplifier connector.

[0034] <Another embodiment> (Communication System Configuration) Next, a communication system 1 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining a first communication system 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining a second communication system 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a third communication system 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] A first communication system 1 according to another embodiment is an example in which seven Bias Tee systems (Bias Tee 1 to 7) are accommodated in a housing (Bias Tee Assy in FIG. 4). The Bias Tee Assy has a small D-sub 9-pin connector for I / F of the positive voltage (DC) from the CPSU and the RTN line. Between the CPSU and the Bias Tee Assy, there are a total of eight wires, including positive voltage (DC) IN 1 to 7 for the Bias Tee 1 to 7 and DC RTN. A second communication system 1 according to another embodiment is an example in which one Bias Tee Assy of the first communication system 1 according to another embodiment is used, and seven LNAs (LNA 1 to 7) can be driven. A third communication system 1 according to another embodiment is an example in which 32 Ka-band LNAs are driven using the Bias Tee Assy shown in FIG. 5.

[0036] In a third communication system 1 according to another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, five Bias Tee Assemblies (Bias Tee Assemblies 1 to 5) are used to drive 32 LNAs. There are 37 wires between the CPSUs and the Bias Tee Assemblies, which is a significant reduction in the number of wires compared to the 64 wires in the comparative communication system 500 shown in Fig. 1. In addition, the Bias Tee Assy does not need to be located immediately next to the LNA, and can be located in a position within the satellite structure where wiring is easy between the LNA and the next stage device (SW or Converter or OBP, etc.), which makes it much easier to wire at the satellite level when assembled compared to the comparative communication system 500, etc.

[0037] The first to third communication systems 1 according to another embodiment are examples in which seven Bias Tee systems (Bias Tee 1 to 7) are accommodated in a housing. This is due to the constraints imposed by the use of a 9-pin small D-sub, and if a 15-pin connector is used, 14 systems can be accommodated, which is a trade-off with size, but it is possible to increase the number of systems that can be accommodated. In addition, since the RTN can be shared, increasing the number of systems that can be accommodated also increases the number of wiring reductions.

[0038] In the communication system 1 according to each of the above-mentioned embodiments, a Ka-band LNA is used. However, in the communication system 1 according to another embodiment, a Ku-band LNA may be used in consideration of the use of the Ku-band frequency as the HTS.

[0039] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a communication device 30 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication device 30 includes a Bias Tee 300. In the communication device 30, the Bias Tee 300 is a Bias Tee connected to one end of a coaxial line whose other end is connected to a signal output terminal of a low-noise amplifier, and outputs a DC voltage to the low-noise amplifier via the coaxial line. The Bias Tee 300 can be realized, for example, by using the functions of the Bias Tee 302 illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 6, and the functions of the Bias Tee 302a1 to 302an illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

[0040] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow of the communication device 30 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Next, processing of the communication device 30 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0041] In the communication device 30, the Bias Tee 300 is a Bias Tee connected to one end of a coaxial line whose other end is connected to a signal output terminal of a low-noise amplifier, and outputs a DC voltage to the low-noise amplifier via the coaxial line (step S101).

[0042] The communication device 30 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. The communication device 30 makes it possible to supply a DC voltage from a centralized power supply to an amplifier without applying a connector to the amplifier for directly supplying the DC voltage from the centralized power supply to the amplifier.

[0043] The order of the processes in each embodiment of the present disclosure may be changed as long as appropriate processes are performed.

[0044] Although each embodiment of the present disclosure has been described, the above-mentioned communication system 1, SW (Switch), Converter, or OBP (On-Board Processor) 40, and other control devices may have a computer system inside. The above-mentioned process steps are stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the above-mentioned process is performed by the computer reading and executing the program. Specific examples of computers are shown below.

[0045] Although some embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, these embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Various additions, omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the gist of the disclosure.

[0046] Note that some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0047] (Appendix 1) A bias tee connected to one end of a coaxial line whose other end is connected to a signal output terminal of a low noise amplifier, a bias tee that outputs a DC voltage to the low noise amplifier via the coaxial line; A communication device comprising:

[0048] (Appendix 2) The low noise amplifier does not have a connector for directly receiving a DC voltage from a centralized power supply; 2. The communication device of claim 1, comprising:

[0049] (Appendix 3) the coaxial line, one end of which is connected to the low noise amplifier and the other end of which is connected to the Bias Tee; 3. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

[0050] (Appendix 4) The Bias Tee is A capacitor is provided. The DC voltage is superimposed on the amplified signal amplified by the low noise amplifier, and only the amplified signal of the amplified signal and the DC voltage contained in the superimposed signal is output to a SW (Switch), Converter, or OBP (On-Board Processor) in the next stage via the capacitor. 4. A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

[0051] (Appendix 5) A processing method performed by a bias tee connected to one end of a coaxial line whose other end is connected to a signal output terminal of a low noise amplifier, comprising: outputting a DC voltage to the low noise amplifier via the coaxial line; A processing method comprising:

[0052] (Appendix 6) A bias tee connected to one end of a coaxial line whose other end is connected to a signal output terminal of a low noise amplifier, A bias tee that outputs a DC voltage to the low noise amplifier via the coaxial line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Communication systems 5. Computers 6. CPU 7. Main memory 8. Storage 9. Interface 10. CPSU 20 Receiving antenna 30. Communication equipment 40...SW(Switch), Converter, or OBP(On-Board Processor) 50···Small D-sub connector 60···D-sub connector 300, 302, 302a, 302a1, 302an...Bias Tee 301···LNA 303, 303a, 303b...RF coaxial line

Claims

1. A bias tee connected to one end of a coaxial line whose other end is connected to a signal output terminal of a low noise amplifier, A Bias Tee that outputs a DC voltage to the low noise amplifier via the coaxial line; A communication device comprising:

2. The low noise amplifier does not have a connector for directly receiving a DC voltage from a centralized power supply; The communication device of claim 1 .

3. the coaxial line, one end of which is connected to the low noise amplifier and the other end of which is connected to the Bias Tee; The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. The Bias Tee is A capacitor is provided. The DC voltage is superimposed on the amplified signal amplified by the low noise amplifier, and only the amplified signal of the amplified signal and the DC voltage contained in the superimposed signal is output to a SW (Switch), Converter, or OBP (On-Board Processor) in the next stage via the capacitor. The communication device according to claim 1 .

5. A processing method performed by a Bias Tee connected to one end of a coaxial line whose other end is connected to a signal output terminal of a low noise amplifier, comprising: outputting a DC voltage to the low noise amplifier via the coaxial line; A processing method comprising:

6. A bias tee connected to one end of a coaxial line whose other end is connected to a signal output terminal of a low noise amplifier, A bias tee outputs a DC voltage to the low noise amplifier via the coaxial line.

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