An automatic test device for weather radar

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatic test device for a weather radar, which includes a test instrument functional component for generating a test signal, performing waveform testing, spectrum analysis, power testing, calibrating the amplitude and phase consistency of a dual-polarization radar, and providing an extended interface for test functions; an embedded computer system is built with expandable test software based on plug-in technology, which is used to obtain and process feedback data of the test instrument functional component; the embedded computer system is also connected to a radar terminal system of the radar under test to receive a test state and a test result issued by the radar terminal system; a display and operation module is connected to the embedded computer system to input an operation instruction and display the test state and the test result obtained by the embedded computer system. The present invention realizes a comprehensive test of a weather radar, and solves the problem that the existing test process requires many kinds of instruments, which are inconvenient to carry, transport, and use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of meteorological instrument testing, in particular to an automatic testing device for a meteorological radar. Background Art

[0002] At present, the instruments used in weather radar testing are all general instruments. Such instruments have many and complete functions. However, when used for weather radar testing, many functions of general instruments cannot be used, resulting in great waste. At the same time, since the instruments are independent and scattered, a system calibration test requires many kinds of instruments, which are inconvenient to carry, transport and use. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic test device for a weather radar, so as to realize a comprehensive test on the weather radar and solve the problem that the existing test process requires many kinds of instruments, which are inconvenient to carry, transport and use.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an automatic testing device for a weather radar, the testing device comprising:

[0005] The test instrument functional component is used to generate test signals, perform radar waveform testing, spectrum analysis, power testing, calibrate the amplitude and phase consistency of the dual-polarization radar, and provide an expansion interface for test functions;

[0006] An embedded computer system is connected to the test instrument functional component and has built-in scalable test software based on plug-in technology, and is used to send control instructions to the test instrument functional component and obtain and process feedback data of the test instrument functional component; the embedded computer system is also connected to the radar terminal system of the radar under test to receive the test status and test results sent by the radar terminal system;

[0007] The display and operation module is connected to the embedded computer system and is used to input operation instructions and display the test status and test results obtained by the embedded computer system.

[0008] Optionally, the test instrument functional components include a signal generation module, a waveform test module, a power measurement module, a spectrum analysis module and a dual-polarization weather radar amplitude and phase consistency calibration module;

[0009] The signal generation module is used to generate test signals required for radar receiver dynamic range test, speed test, strength test and amplitude and phase consistency calibration;

[0010] The waveform test module is used to test the timing signals in the radar transmitter and the radar terminal system to obtain the pulse width, edge, voltage, top drop and period of the radar transmitter waveform or the synchronous timing pulse;

[0011] The power measurement module is used to perform power detection on the test signal to obtain the peak power and average power of the radar transmitter;

[0012] The spectrum analysis module is used to test the transmission spectrum width and input-output improvement factor of the radar transmitter;

[0013] The dual-polarization weather radar amplitude and phase consistency calibration module is used to test the transmission and reception amplitude and phase consistency of the polarization weather radar system, and to calibrate the transmission and reception amplitude and phase consistency of the polarization weather radar system.

[0014] Optionally, the signal generating module includes a signal generating controller, a first high-stable crystal oscillator, a first clock selection circuit, a first clock generator, a phase-locked loop, a direct digital frequency synthesizer, a first mixer, a first filtering network, a digitally controlled amplifier and a digitally controlled attenuator. The signal generating controller is respectively connected to the first clock selection circuit, the phase-locked loop, the direct digital frequency synthesizer, the digitally controlled amplifier and the digitally controlled attenuator to input control signals to the first clock selection circuit, the phase-locked loop, the direct digital frequency synthesizer, the digitally controlled amplifier and the digitally controlled attenuator respectively. The output of the first high-stable crystal oscillator The output end is connected to the input end of the first clock selection circuit, the output end of the first clock selection circuit is respectively connected to the input ends of the phase-locked loop and the direct digital frequency synthesizer, the output ends of the phase-locked loop and the direct digital frequency synthesizer are connected to the two input ends of the first mixer, and the mixing signal outputted from the output end of the first mixer is outputted via the first filtering network, the digitally controlled amplifier and the digitally controlled attenuator; the phase-locked loop and the direct digital frequency synthesizer are used to control the frequency of the output test signal; the digitally controlled amplifier and the digitally controlled attenuator are used to control the amplitude of the output test signal.

[0015] Optionally, the waveform testing module includes a sampling clock generator, a clock distributor, multiple analog channel signal conditioning circuits, multiple first A / D converters, a first trigger, a first storage and controller, and a first digital signal processor; the analog channel signal conditioning circuit, the first A / D converter, the first trigger, the first storage and controller, and the first digital signal processor are arranged in sequence along the signal transmission direction, the output end of the sampling clock generator is connected to the input end of the clock distributor, the output end of the clock distributor is respectively connected to multiple first A / D converters to distribute sampling clock signals to the first A / D converters, the input end of the first trigger is respectively connected to the output ends of multiple analog channel signal conditioning circuits, and the output end of the first trigger is connected to the first storage and controller through a time base; the analog channel signal conditioning circuit is used to control the oscilloscope range and input impedance.

[0016] Optionally, the power measurement module includes a second filtering network, a power detector, a second A / D converter, a second storage and controller, and a second digital signal processor connected in sequence along the transmission direction of the test signal, and a second trigger connected to the second storage and controller; the second filtering network is used to filter out harmonics and spurious signals to extract effective signals; the power detector is used to extract the envelope of the pulse signal, and the output envelope amplitude of the power detector is linearly related to the input signal power; the second digital signal processor is used for noise filtering, signal averaging and communication.

[0017] Optionally, the spectrum analysis module includes a third filtering network, a second mixer, a filter, a third A / D converter, a third storage and controller and a third digital signal processor connected in sequence along the transmission direction of the test signal, as well as a local oscillator source connected to the other input end of the second mixer, a second clock selection circuit connected to the input end of the local oscillator source, a second high-stable crystal oscillator connected to the input end of the second clock selection circuit, and a third trigger connected to the third storage and controller; the third storage and controller are respectively connected to the second clock selection circuit and the local oscillator source to output a control signal; the third filtering network is used to filter out harmonics and out-of-band spurious signals to extract effective signals; the local oscillator source is provided to the second mixer, cooperates with the second mixer to complete signal frequency conversion, and then cooperates with the filter to complete the conversion of the radio frequency signal to the intermediate frequency signal; the third A / D converter completes the digital conversion of the analog intermediate frequency signal, the third storage and controller is used for data caching and trigger judgment, and the third digital signal processor is used for spectrum analysis, digital down-conversion processing and communication.

[0018] Optionally, the dual-polarization weather radar amplitude and phase consistency calibration module includes a dual-polarization horn antenna module, a support and adjustment module and a calibration device leveling module; the support and adjustment module is installed on the radar antenna feed bracket, the dual-polarization horn antenna module is connected to the support and adjustment module, and the calibration device leveling module is arranged on the dual-polarization horn antenna module; the support and adjustment module is used to fix the dual-polarization horn antenna module on the radar antenna feed bracket, and adjust the horn antenna aperture to be parallel to the radar antenna feed aperture; the dual-polarization horn antenna module is used to match the radar antenna feed, and measure and calibrate the amplitude consistency of the vertical polarization and horizontal polarization branches of the transmission channel by receiving the radiation signal for radar transmission branch testing, and transmit the calibration signal to the radar antenna feed, and calibrate the amplitude consistency of the radar receiving channel by testing the amplitude consistency of the intermediate frequency output channels of the vertical polarization and horizontal polarization branches of the radar receiver; the calibration device leveling module is used to adjust the horizontality of the dual-polarization weather radar amplitude and phase consistency calibration module.

[0019] Optionally, the support and adjustment module includes a support rod, a tray, a coarse adjustment gear, a fine adjustment gear, a coarse adjustment knob and a fine adjustment knob; there are three support rods, one end of each support rod is fixed to the tray, and the other end of each support rod is fixed to the radar antenna feed bracket, the coarse adjustment gear and the fine adjustment gear are arranged on the surface of the tray, the coarse adjustment knob passes through the tray and is connected to the coarse adjustment gear, and the fine adjustment knob passes through the tray and is connected to the fine adjustment gear, and the coarse adjustment knob and the fine adjustment knob are used to adjust the parallelism between the horn antenna aperture and the radar antenna feed aperture.

[0020] Optionally, the dual-polarization horn antenna module includes a mounting plate connected to the surface of the coarse adjustment gear, a connecting portion connected to the mounting plate for carrying a horizontal polarization feed port and a vertical polarization feed port, and a horn antenna connected to the connecting portion via a flange.

[0021] Optionally, the test software includes a plug-in running container, a service interface, a test report module, a plug-in framework and a plug-in warehouse; the plug-in running container is used to load and start plug-ins from a plug-in directory; the service interface is used to provide an interface for a service contract, and when the service provider sets the service interface and registers the service to the service bus, the service consumer searches for the service from the service bus through the service contract and binds it for use; the test report module is used to quickly generate a test report after the test is completed; the plug-in frame is used for dynamic modularization, service-oriented architecture and module extension, and the plug-in warehouse is used to store plug-ins; the test software is used to control the testing of each module of the functional component of the test instrument, realize one-click testing and automatic generation of test reports.

[0022] According to the specific embodiments provided by the present invention, the present invention discloses the following technical effects:

[0023] The automatic test device for meteorological radar provided by the present invention includes a test instrument functional component, which can generate a test signal, perform waveform testing, spectrum analysis, power testing on the radar, calibrate the amplitude and phase consistency of the dual-polarization radar, and provide an expansion interface for the test function, thereby completing multiple tests at one time.

[0024] The clocks of the signal generation module and the spectrum analysis module of the present invention are of the same source, and the radar speed test can be quickly realized. The spectrum analysis module and the signal generation module use the same clock. During the speed test, the spectrum analysis module can be used to quickly and accurately measure the radar center frequency. Compared with the test method of the traditional instrument, this method can quickly realize the radar speed test.

[0025] The present invention adopts an embedded computer system and an embedded operating system to quickly generate an electronic version of a test report. The embedded computer system has a built-in plug-in technology-based, expandable test software that can implement a one-key test and quickly generate a test report after the test is completed.

[0026] The amplitude and phase consistency calibration of dual-polarization weather radar has long been a difficult problem. Currently, it can only be measured by feeding signals to the front end of the low-noise amplifier of the receiver. There is no measurement of the front feed lines of the transmitting channel and the receiving channel. The measurement results cannot truly realize the amplitude and phase consistency calibration of the dual-polarization radar, and it is difficult to calibrate the accuracy of the main indicators of the dual-polarization radar, such as the differential reflectivity factor and the differential propagation phase shift. The present invention feeds a signal before the power divider of the transmitting channel, receives it at the antenna feed source surface using the horn antenna of the calibration device, and measures the amplitude and phase consistency of the two received signals through an instrument, thereby realizing the amplitude and phase consistency measurement of the radar transmitting channel; outputs a signal through the instrument, feeds the horn antenna of the calibration device through the power divider and the amplitude and phase consistency cable, transmits equal-amplitude and in-phase electromagnetic waves to the radar antenna feed source through the horn antenna of the calibration device, and measures the output amplitude and phase consistency at the two radar receivers, thereby comprehensively realizing the amplitude and phase consistency calibration of the dual-polarization radar, which has the characteristics of comprehensive coverage and simple operation.

[0027] The present invention has built-in plug-in technology-based, extensible test software. The test software is designed based on plug-in technology, follows the principles of generalization, modularization, and standardization, and uses the basic design concept of service-oriented, which is the key to building an open, general, and extensible software architecture. The plug-in software architecture consists of a plug-in framework and a plug-in warehouse. The plug-in framework provides three major functions: dynamic modularization, service-oriented architecture, and module expansion.

[0028] Based on the open, general, and extensible software architecture built on plug-in technology, users can quickly develop new functions for test software that meet specific test requirements. The software can continuously expand its functions through plug-ins to adapt to changes in hardware technology, and support the reuse of test programs. The ultimate function of the software is to transition the development of the system software platform from development to integration.

[0029] The present invention greatly promotes the standardization and efficiency of weather radar testing, improves the on-site testing and troubleshooting capabilities of radar support personnel, reduces dependence on radar manufacturers and provincial radar support experts, and improves radar operating efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0031] Figure 1 The overall structure diagram of the automatic test device for weather radar provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 A flow chart of one-key test for intensity calibration and speed calibration using the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 is a circuit schematic diagram of the signal generating module of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 4 It is a circuit principle diagram of the waveform test module of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 5 is a circuit schematic diagram of the power measurement module of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 6 is a circuit schematic diagram of the spectrum analysis module of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 7 It is a structural diagram of the amplitude and phase consistency calibration module of the dual polarization weather radar of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 8 It is an installation diagram of the dual-polarization weather radar amplitude and phase consistency calibration module of the present invention;

[0039] Fig. 9 It is a front perspective view of the support and adjustment module of the present invention;

[0040] Fig.10 A rear perspective view of the support and alignment module of the present invention;

[0041] Fig.11 is a three-dimensional diagram of a dual-polarized horn antenna module of the present invention;

[0042] Fig.12 This is a working principle diagram of the amplitude and phase consistency calibration module of the dual-polarization weather radar of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0044] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the automatic testing device for a weather radar provided in this embodiment includes: a testing instrument functional component, an embedded computer system, and a display and operation module.

[0046] The test instrument functional components are used to generate test signals, perform radar waveform testing, spectrum analysis, power testing, calibrate the amplitude and phase consistency of dual-polarization radars, and provide an expansion interface for test functions;

[0047] The embedded computer system is connected to the functional components of the test instrument, and has built-in expandable test software based on plug-in technology, which is used to send control instructions to the functional components of the test instrument and obtain and process feedback data of the functional components of the test instrument; the embedded computer system is also connected to the radar terminal system of the radar under test to receive the test status and test results issued by the radar terminal system.

[0048] The test software 21 is used to implement dynamic modularization, service-oriented architecture and module expansion functions. As an optional implementation, this embodiment uses an open, universal and extensible software architecture based on plug-in technology to implement the functions of the test software 21.

[0049] The software framework is designed by using the basic principle of "interface + plug-in = service" and a plug-in architecture. The test software 21 includes a plug-in running container, a service interface, a test report module, a plug-in framework and a plug-in warehouse; the plug-in running container is used to load and start plug-ins from the plug-in directory; the service interface is used to provide an interface for a service contract. When the service provider sets the service interface and registers the service to the service bus, the service consumer searches for the service from the service bus through the service contract and binds it for use; the test report module is used to quickly generate a test report after the test is completed; the plug-in frame is used for dynamic modularization, service-oriented architecture and module expansion, and the plug-in warehouse is used to store plug-ins; the test software is used to control each module of the test instrument functional component to test, realize one-click testing and automatically generate test reports.

[0050] Among them, the plugin runtime, namely PluginRuntime, is the running container of the plugin, which is responsible for loading and starting the plugin from the plugin directory.

[0051] Service is a way for plug-ins to communicate. Here, "service = interface + implementation". The interface is the service contract. The service provider implements the service interface and registers the service to the service bus. The service consumer searches for the service from the service bus through the service contract and binds it for use. In system software, services are dynamic and can be dynamically registered, uninstalled, and updated. A service contract may also have multiple service implementations.

[0052] A plug-in is a plugin. It has the characteristics of high cohesion and low coupling, which means that the coupling between plug-ins is very low. It has physical isolation, hot pluggable and dynamic characteristics. Each plug-in is fully reusable and can be dynamically installed, started, stopped, uninstalled or updated. At the same time, the plug-in is extensible and the behavior of the plug-in can be changed or extended without changing the plug-in code. This extension mechanism is implemented through a pair of "extension points + extensions" based on the XML format. A plug-in can be extensible by defining "extension points", while other plug-ins register / update functions by defining corresponding "extensions". Extensions / extension points are registered to the plug-in runtime when the plug-in is started. Conversely, they are uninstalled from the plug-in runtime when it is uninstalled.

[0053] The plug-in software architecture consists of a plug-in framework and a plug-in warehouse. The plug-in framework provides three functions: dynamic modularization, service-oriented architecture, and module expansion. Here, the modules are physically isolated, hot-swappable, dynamic, and physically reusable. The plug-in warehouse is an online plug-in warehouse. All plug-ins comply with platform specifications and can run on the platform plug-in framework. You can select plug-ins from the plug-in warehouse for assembly, or develop new plug-ins for functional expansion. Mainly completed: plug-in management, plug-in development tool management, plug-in kernel file management, private plug-in warehouse management, etc.

[0054] The embedded computer system is interconnected with the radar terminal to realize the automatic testing function. The embedded computer system can communicate with the radar terminal through the network. The communication content includes test commands and test data. The automatic testing of an indicator can be completed by the interaction of one command and data.

[0055] Taking the one-key test of intensity calibration and speed calibration as an example, the one-key test process of this device is explained. Figure 2 shown.

[0056] The external echo intensity test method is: inject signals with power of -40dBm, -50dBm, -60dBm, -70dBm, -80dBm and -90dBm into the receiver respectively, and read the echo intensity corresponding to the required distance through the weather radar terminal. The deviation between the measured echo intensity and the theoretical echo intensity is required to be no more than 1dB.

[0057] The speed test method is: test the frequency corresponding to the radar zero speed through the test device, then inject the signal with the required frequency deviation into the receiver respectively, read the measured speed value through the weather radar terminal, and require that the deviation between the measured echo speed and the theoretical echo speed does not exceed 1m / s.

[0058] The display and operation module is connected to the embedded computer system and is used for inputting operation instructions and displaying the test status and test results obtained by the embedded computer system.

[0059] Among them, the test instrument functional component 3 includes a signal generating module 31, a waveform testing module 32, a power measuring module 33, a spectrum analyzing module 34, and a dual-polarization weather radar amplitude and phase consistency calibration module 35.

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown, the signal generating module 31 is used to generate the test signals required for the dynamic range test, speed test, strength test and amplitude and phase consistency calibration of the radar receiver.

[0061] The signal generating module 31 includes a signal generating controller 311, a first high-stable crystal oscillator 312, a first clock selecting circuit 313, a first clock generator 314, a phase-locked loop 315, a direct digital frequency synthesizer 316, a first mixer 317, a first filtering network 318, a digitally controlled amplifier 319 and a digitally controlled attenuator 310. The signal generating controller 311 is respectively connected to the first clock selecting circuit 313, the phase-locked loop 315, the direct digital frequency synthesizer 316, the digitally controlled amplifier 319 and the digitally controlled attenuator 310 to input control signals to the first clock selecting circuit 313, the phase-locked loop 315, the direct digital frequency synthesizer 316, the digitally controlled amplifier 319 and the digitally controlled attenuator 310 respectively. The output end of the first high-stable crystal oscillator 312 is connected to the first clock selecting circuit 313, the phase-locked loop 315, the direct digital frequency synthesizer 316, the digitally controlled amplifier 319 and the digitally controlled attenuator 310. The input end of the first clock selection circuit 313 is connected, the output end of the first clock selection circuit 313 is connected to the first clock generator 314, the output end of the first clock generator 314 is respectively connected to the input ends of the phase-locked loop 315 and the direct digital frequency synthesizer 316, the output ends of the phase-locked loop 315 and the direct digital frequency synthesizer 316 are connected to the two input ends of the first mixer 317, and the mixed signal outputted from the output end of the first mixer 317 is outputted via the first filtering network 318, the digitally controlled amplifier 319 and the digitally controlled attenuator 310; the phase-locked loop 315 and the direct digital frequency synthesizer 316 are used to control the frequency of the output test signal; the digitally controlled amplifier 319 and the digitally controlled attenuator 310 are used to control the amplitude of the output test signal.

[0062] like Figure 4 As shown, the waveform testing module 32 is used to test the timing signals in the radar transmitter and the radar terminal system to obtain the pulse width, edge, voltage, top drop and period of the radar transmitter waveform or the synchronous timing pulse.

[0063] The waveform test module 32 includes a sampling clock generator 321, a clock distributor 322, multiple analog channel signal conditioning circuits 323, multiple first A / D converters 324, a first trigger 325, a first storage and controller 326 and a first digital signal processor 327; the analog channel signal conditioning circuit 323, the first A / D converter 324, the first trigger 325, the first storage and controller 326 and the first digital signal processor 327 are arranged in sequence along the signal transmission direction, the output end of the sampling clock generator 321 is connected to the input end of the clock distributor 322, the output end of the clock distributor 322 is respectively connected to the multiple first A / D converters 324, and the sampling clock signal is distributed to the first A / D converter 324, the input end of the first trigger 325 is respectively connected to the output end of the multiple analog channel signal conditioning circuits 323, and the output end of the first trigger 325 is connected to the first storage and controller 326 through a time base; the analog channel signal conditioning circuit 323 is used to control the oscilloscope range and input impedance.

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown, the power measurement module 33 is used to perform power detection on the test signal to obtain the peak power and average power of the radar transmitter.

[0065] The power measurement module 33 includes a second filter network 331, a power detector 332, a second A / D converter 333, a second storage and controller 334 and a second digital signal processor 335, which are sequentially connected along the transmission direction of the test signal, and a second trigger 336 connected to the second storage and controller; the second filter network 331 is used to filter out harmonics and stray signals to extract effective signals; the power detector 332 is used to extract the envelope of the pulse signal, and the output envelope amplitude of the power detector 332 is linearly related to the input signal power; the second digital signal processor 335 is used for noise filtering, signal averaging and communication.

[0066] like Figure 6 As shown, the spectrum analysis module 34 is used to test the transmission spectrum width and input-output improvement factor of the radar transmitter.

[0067] The spectrum analysis module 34 includes a third filter network 341, a second mixer 342, a filter 343, a third A / D converter 344, a third storage and controller 345 and a third digital signal processor 346, which are sequentially connected along the transmission direction of the test signal, as well as a local oscillator 347 connected to the other input end of the second mixer 342, a second clock selection circuit 348 connected to the input end of the local oscillator 347, a second high-stability crystal oscillator 349 connected to the input end of the second clock selection circuit 348, and a third trigger 340 connected to the third storage and controller 345; the third storage and controller 345 is divided into The third filter network 341 is used to filter out harmonics and out-of-band spurious signals to extract effective signals; the local oscillator source 347 is provided to the second mixer 342, cooperates with the second mixer 342 to complete the signal frequency conversion, and then cooperates with the filter 343 to complete the conversion of the radio frequency signal to the intermediate frequency signal; the third A / D converter 344 completes the digital conversion of the analog intermediate frequency signal, the third storage and controller 345 is used for data caching and trigger judgment, and the third digital signal processor 346 is used for spectrum analysis, digital down-conversion processing and communication.

[0068] like Figure 7-9 As shown, the dual-polarization weather radar amplitude and phase consistency calibration module 35 is used to test the transmission and reception amplitude and phase consistency of the polarization weather radar system, and to calibrate the transmission and reception amplitude and phase consistency of the polarization weather radar system.

[0069] The main application feature of dual-polarization weather radar is its ability to identify meteorological targets. Different types of meteorological targets can be identified through indicators such as differential reflectivity factor and differential propagation phase shift. The identification effect depends on the measurement accuracy. Indicators such as differential reflectivity factor, depolarization factor, differential propagation phase shift, and differential propagation phase shift constant all depend on the radar transmission and reception amplitude-phase consistency. Only by fully calibrating the radar's own amplitude-phase consistency can the radar accurately measure space targets. The amplitude-phase consistency calibration of dual-polarization weather radar has long been a difficult problem. At present, it can only be measured by feeding a signal into the front end of the receiver low-noise amplifier, without measuring the front-end feed lines of the transmitting channel and the receiving channel. Therefore, the measurement result cannot truly realize the amplitude-phase consistency calibration of the dual-polarization radar, and it is difficult to provide calibration for the accuracy of the main indicators of the dual-polarization radar such as differential reflectivity factor and differential propagation phase shift. The present invention is designed based on this point to realize a calibration device with comprehensive coverage and simple operation, which solves the existing dual-polarization weather radar amplitude-phase consistency calibration problem. The present invention is of great significance to improving the data quality of dual-polarization weather radar.

[0070] The dual-polarization weather radar amplitude and phase consistency calibration module 35 is aimed at various types of dual-polarization weather radar systems and various forms of dual-polarization weather radar feed sources, including rectangular feed sources and circular feed sources.

[0071] like Figure 7 As shown, the dual-polarization weather radar amplitude and phase consistency calibration module 35 includes a dual-polarization horn antenna module 352, a support and alignment module 351 and a calibration device leveling module 353; the support and alignment module 351 is installed on the radar antenna feed bracket, the dual-polarization horn antenna module 352 is connected to the support and alignment module 351, and the calibration device leveling module 353 is arranged on the dual-polarization horn antenna module 352; the support and alignment module 351 is used to fix the dual-polarization horn antenna module 352 on the radar antenna feed bracket, adjust the horn antenna The aperture is kept parallel to the aperture of the radar antenna feed; the dual-polarization horn antenna module 352 is used to match the radar antenna feed, measure and calibrate the amplitude consistency of the vertical polarization and horizontal polarization branches of the transmission channel by receiving the radiation signal for radar transmission branch testing, transmit the calibration signal to the radar antenna feed, and calibrate the amplitude consistency of the radar receiving channel by testing the amplitude consistency of the intermediate frequency output channels of the vertical polarization and horizontal polarization branches of the radar receiver; the calibration device leveling module 353 is used to adjust the horizontality of the dual-polarization weather radar amplitude consistency calibration module.

[0072] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the dual-polarization weather radar amplitude and phase consistency calibration module 35. The calibration device is installed on the radar antenna feed bracket using three legs. The antenna port of the calibration device is aligned with the radar antenna feed and the radar antenna feed port, with a spacing of about 3 mm.

[0073] The calibration principle of the dual polarization weather radar amplitude and phase consistency calibration module 35 is as follows: Fig.12 As shown, the transmitter outputs a high-power detection pulse, which is split into two paths by a power divider and sent to two circulators of vertical polarization and horizontal polarization, and then sent to a dual-path rotating joint, and sent to the vertical polarization feed port and horizontal polarization feed port of the antenna dual-polarization feed line through two feed lines, respectively. Electromagnetic waves are formed at the dual-polarization feed source and radiate to the reflector, and the reflector forms a beam and radiates to space. From the single-path signal of the power divider to the feed source output of two electromagnetic waves of vertical polarization and horizontal polarization, the transmission channel is divided into two branches after the power divider. The insertion loss and phase shift of the two branches are different. Their amplitude-phase consistency affects the indicators such as the differential reflectivity factor and differential propagation phase shift of the dual-polarization radar, and the amplitude-phase consistency of the transmission branch needs to be calibrated.

[0074] The electromagnetic waves radiated into space are reflected by the target and are focused by the reflector to the antenna feed source for reception. The vertical polarization component of the echo enters the vertical polarization feed line, and the horizontal polarization component enters the horizontal polarization feed line. Then, they are sent to two circulators through the rotating joints and enter the receiver through the circulators for target amplification, frequency conversion, filtering, and detection. After entering the antenna feed source, the received echo signal is divided into two branches, vertical polarization and horizontal polarization. When output from the receiver, the two branch feed lines have different insertion loss phase shifts, and the receiver gain and phase shift are different. The amplitude consistency of the two branches affects the indicators such as the differential reflectivity factor and differential propagation phase shift of the dual-polarization weather radar, and the amplitude consistency of the two receiving branches needs to be calibrated.

[0075] The amplitude and phase consistency calibration of the transmitting branch is carried out by inputting the calibration signal before the power divider of the transmitting channel, receiving it with the dual-polarized horn antenna of the calibration device, and measuring the amplitude and phase consistency with an instrument at the port; the amplitude and phase consistency calibration of the receiving channel uses the horn antenna of the calibration device to aim at the radar antenna feed, radiate equal-amplitude and in-phase vertically polarized and horizontally polarized waves to the radar antenna feed, and the radar antenna feed receives them, and the amplitude and phase consistency of the receiving branch is measured with an instrument at the output end of the two receivers.

[0076] The main device for weather radar calibration is used to match the dual-polarization weather radar antenna feed source, measure and calibrate the amplitude consistency of the vertical polarization and horizontal polarization branches of the transmit channel by receiving the test radiation signal of the radar transmit branch, transmit the calibration signal to the dual-polarization radar antenna feed source through the calibration device horn antenna, and calibrate the amplitude consistency of the dual-polarization radar receiving channel by testing the amplitude consistency of the intermediate frequency output of the vertical polarization and horizontal polarization branches of the radar receiver. There are two feed ports for vertical polarization and horizontal polarization. When measuring the amplitude consistency of the weather radar transmit channel, the instrument signal source is fed from the front of the radar transmit channel power divider, and the signal is received at the two feed ports of the calibration device and sent to the instrument to measure the amplitude consistency of the two feed ports; when measuring the amplitude consistency of the two branches of the receiving channel, the same amplitude and in-phase signal is fed from the two ports of the calibration device, and the receiver output is sent to the instrument to measure the amplitude consistency of the two receiving branches.

[0077] Figure 9-10As shown, the support and adjustment module 351 includes a support rod 3511, a tray 3512, a coarse adjustment gear 3513, a fine adjustment gear 3514, a coarse adjustment knob 3515 and a fine adjustment knob 3516; there are three support rods 3511, one end of each support rod 3511 is fixed to the tray 3512, and the other end of each support rod 3511 is fixed to the radar antenna feed bracket, the coarse adjustment gear 3513 and the fine adjustment gear 3514 are arranged on the surface of the tray 3512, the coarse adjustment knob 3515 passes through the tray 3512 and is connected to the coarse adjustment gear 3513, the fine adjustment knob 3516 passes through the tray 3512 and is connected to the fine adjustment gear 3514, and the coarse adjustment knob 3515 and the fine adjustment knob 3516 are used to adjust the parallelism between the horn antenna aperture and the radar antenna feed aperture. By adjusting the length of the support rod 3511, the horn antenna aperture can be adjusted so that the distance between the horn antenna aperture and the radar antenna feed aperture is about 3 mm and they remain parallel.

[0078] Fig.11 As shown, the dual-polarization horn antenna module 352 includes a mounting plate 3521 connected to the surface of the coarse adjustment gear 3513, a connecting portion 3524 connected to the mounting plate 3521 for carrying a horizontal polarization feed port 3522 and a vertical polarization feed port 3523, and a horn antenna 3526 connected to the connecting portion 3524 via a flange 3525.

[0079] It should be noted that, in actual applications, the first high-stable crystal oscillator and the second high-stable crystal oscillator can use the same high-stable crystal oscillator, and the first trigger, the second trigger and the third trigger can also use the same trigger. The words first, second, etc. referred to in the text do not completely represent the difference in quantity, and the same device or different devices can be set according to actual needs.

[0080] The embedded computer system and the communication transceiver module communication control instrument of the present invention realize automatic testing function, and the test items that can be automatically completed are shown in the following table.

[0081] Serial number project 1 Receiving system noise figure measurement 2 Receiver System Dynamic Range Measurement 3 System Phase Noise Measurement 4 Echo strength measurement test 5 Radial velocity measurement inspection 6 Transmit pulse width check 7 Transmit pulse peak power check 8 Transmitter Input Limit Improvement Factor Measurement 9 Transmitter Output Limiting Improvement Factor Measurement 10 Antenna base level check 11 Actual ground object cancellation capability check 12 Differential reflectivity factor (RMS error) 13 Differential propagation phase shift (RMS error)

[0082] The principles and implementation methods of the present invention are described in this article using specific examples. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and core idea of ​​the present invention. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of ​​the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic test device for a weather radar, characterized in that: The testing device comprises: The test instrument functional components are used to generate test signals, perform waveform testing, spectrum analysis, power testing on radars, calibrate the amplitude and phase consistency of dual-polarization radars, and provide an extended interface for test functions, specifically including: signal generation module, waveform testing module, power measurement module, spectrum analysis module, and dual-polarization weather radar amplitude and phase consistency calibration module; The signal generation module is used to generate test signals required for radar receiver dynamic range test, speed test, strength test and amplitude and phase consistency calibration; The waveform test module is used to test the timing signals in the radar transmitter and the radar terminal system to obtain the pulse width, edge, voltage, top drop and period of the radar transmitter waveform or the synchronous timing pulse; The power measurement module is used to perform power detection on the test signal to obtain the peak power and average power of the radar transmitter; The spectrum analysis module is used to test the transmission spectrum width and input-output improvement factor of the radar transmitter; The dual-polarization weather radar amplitude and phase consistency calibration module is used to test the transmission and reception amplitude and phase consistency of the polarization weather radar system, and calibrate the transmission and reception amplitude and phase consistency of the polarization weather radar system. The dual-polarization weather radar amplitude and phase consistency calibration module specifically includes: a dual-polarization horn antenna module, a support and alignment module, and a calibration device leveling module; the support and alignment module is installed on the radar antenna feed bracket, the dual-polarization horn antenna module is connected to the support and alignment module, and the calibration device leveling module is arranged on the dual-polarization horn antenna module; the support and alignment module is used to adjust the dual-polarization horn antenna The line module is fixed on the radar antenna feed bracket, and the horn antenna aperture is adjusted to be parallel to the radar antenna feed aperture; the dual-polarization horn antenna module is used to match the radar antenna feed, and by receiving the radiation signal for radar transmission branch testing, the amplitude consistency of the vertical polarization and horizontal polarization branches of the calibration transmission channel is measured, and the calibration signal is transmitted to the radar antenna feed, and the amplitude consistency of the radar receiving channel is calibrated by testing the amplitude consistency of the intermediate frequency output channels of the vertical polarization and horizontal polarization branches of the radar receiver; the leveling module of the calibration device is used to adjust the horizontality of the dual-polarization weather radar amplitude consistency calibration module; An embedded computer system is connected to the test instrument functional component and has built-in scalable test software based on plug-in technology, and is used to send control instructions to the test instrument functional component and obtain and process feedback data of the test instrument functional component; the embedded computer system is also connected to the radar terminal system of the radar under test to receive the test status and test results sent by the radar terminal system; A display and operation module, connected to the embedded computer system, used to input operation instructions and display the test status and test results obtained by the embedded computer system; The test software includes a plug-in running container, a service interface, a test report module, a plug-in framework and a plug-in warehouse; the plug-in running container is used to load and start plug-ins from a plug-in directory; the service interface is used to provide an interface for a service contract, and when the service provider sets the service interface and registers the service to the service bus, the service consumer searches for the service from the service bus through the service contract and binds it for use; the test report module is used to quickly generate a test report after the test is completed; the plug-in frame is used for dynamic modularization, service-oriented architecture and module extension, and the plug-in warehouse is used to store plug-ins; the test software is used to control each module of the test instrument functional component to perform testing, realize one-click testing and automatically generate test reports.

2. The automatic test device for weather radar according to claim 1, characterized in that: The signal generating module comprises a signal generating controller, a first high-stable crystal oscillator, a first clock selecting circuit, a first clock generator, a phase-locked loop, a direct digital frequency synthesizer, a first mixer, a first filtering network, a digitally controlled amplifier and a digitally controlled attenuator. The signal generating controller is respectively connected to the first clock selecting circuit, the phase-locked loop, the direct digital frequency synthesizer, the digitally controlled amplifier and the digitally controlled attenuator to input control signals to the first clock selecting circuit, the phase-locked loop, the direct digital frequency synthesizer, the digitally controlled amplifier and the digitally controlled attenuator respectively. The output terminal of the first high-stable crystal oscillator is connected to the first clock selecting circuit, the phase-locked loop, the direct digital frequency synthesizer, the digitally controlled amplifier and the digitally controlled attenuator. The first clock selection circuit is connected to the input end of the first clock selection circuit, the output end of the first clock selection circuit is respectively connected to the input ends of the phase-locked loop and the direct digital frequency synthesizer, the output ends of the phase-locked loop and the direct digital frequency synthesizer are connected to the two input ends of the first mixer, and the mixing signal outputted from the output end of the first mixer is outputted via the first filtering network, the digitally controlled amplifier and the digitally controlled attenuator; the phase-locked loop and the direct digital frequency synthesizer are used to control the frequency of the output test signal; the digitally controlled amplifier and the digitally controlled attenuator are used to control the amplitude of the output test signal.

3. The automatic test device for weather radar according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waveform test module includes a sampling clock generator, a clock distributor, multiple analog channel signal conditioning circuits, multiple first A / D converters, a first trigger, a first storage and controller, and a first digital signal processor; the analog channel signal conditioning circuit, the first A / D converter, the first trigger, the first storage and controller, and the first digital signal processor are arranged in sequence along the signal transmission direction, the output end of the sampling clock generator is connected to the input end of the clock distributor, the output end of the clock distributor is respectively connected to the multiple first A / D converters to distribute sampling clock signals to the first A / D converters, the input end of the first trigger is respectively connected to the output ends of the multiple analog channel signal conditioning circuits, and the output end of the first trigger is connected to the first storage and controller through a time base; the analog channel signal conditioning circuit is used to control the oscilloscope range and input impedance.

4. The automatic test device for weather radar according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power measurement module includes a second filter network, a power detector, a second A / D converter, a second storage and controller, and a second digital signal processor, which are sequentially connected along the transmission direction of the test signal, and a second trigger connected to the second storage and controller; the second filter network is used to filter out harmonics and stray signals to extract effective signals; the power detector is used to extract the envelope of the pulse signal, and the output envelope amplitude of the power detector is linearly related to the input signal power; the second digital signal processor is used for noise filtering, signal averaging and communication.

5. The automatic test device for weather radar according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spectrum analysis module includes a third filtering network, a second mixer, a filter, a third A / D converter, a third storage and controller, and a third digital signal processor connected in sequence along the transmission direction of the test signal, as well as a local oscillator source connected to the other input end of the second mixer, a second clock selection circuit connected to the input end of the local oscillator source, a second high-stability crystal oscillator connected to the input end of the second clock selection circuit, and a third trigger connected to the third storage and controller; the third storage and controller are respectively connected to the second clock selection circuit and the local oscillator source to output a control signal; The third filter network is used to filter out harmonics and out-of-band spurious signals to extract effective signals; the local oscillator source is provided to the second mixer, cooperates with the second mixer to complete signal frequency conversion, and then cooperates with the filter to complete the conversion of radio frequency signals to intermediate frequency signals; the third A / D converter completes the digital conversion of analog intermediate frequency signals, the third storage and controller is used for data caching and trigger judgment, and the third digital signal processor is used for spectrum analysis, digital down-conversion processing and communication.

6. The automatic test device for weather radar according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support and adjustment module includes a support rod, a tray, a coarse adjustment gear, a fine adjustment gear, a coarse adjustment knob and a fine adjustment knob; there are three support rods, one end of which is fixed to the tray, and the other end of which is fixed to the radar antenna feed bracket, the coarse adjustment gear and the fine adjustment gear are arranged on the surface of the tray, the coarse adjustment knob passes through the tray and is connected to the coarse adjustment gear, and the fine adjustment knob passes through the tray and is connected to the fine adjustment gear, and the coarse adjustment knob and the fine adjustment knob are used to adjust the parallelism of the horn antenna aperture and the radar antenna feed aperture.

7. The automatic test device for weather radar according to claim 6, characterized in that: The dual-polarization horn antenna module includes a mounting plate connected to the surface of the coarse adjustment gear, a connecting portion connected to the mounting plate and used to carry a horizontal polarization feed port and a vertical polarization feed port, and a horn antenna connected to the connecting portion via a flange.

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