A millimeter wave transceiver system based on sparse matrix and module reuse

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of millimeter wave transceiving systems based on sparse matrix and module multiplexing, including a frequency agile source, a transceiving channel and two antenna feed components.The transceiving channel includes a frequency conversion component, a transmitting single-pole 8-pole switch module and a receiving single-pole 4-pole switch module.The antenna feed component includes transmitting channel and receiving channel, wherein the transmitting channel includes 4 transmitting horn antennas;The receiving channel includes 2 single-pole 16-pole switch modules integrated with receiving horn antennas.The transmitting channels of the two antenna feed components are connected with the frequency conversion component through the transmitting single-pole 8-pole switch module.Compared with the existing full-array transceiving system, the application uses sparse array combined with module multiplexing system, which greatly reduces the hardware cost of the transceiving system;And it has the advantages of simple scheme and low power consumption.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of object detection technology, and more specifically to a millimeter-wave transceiver system based on sparse arrays and module multiplexing. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, millimeter-wave near-field imaging systems have been widely used, primarily in human security checks and object detection. Currently, the commonly used technologies are mainly divided into two types: "two-dimensional sparse array" and "one-dimensional linear array + one-dimensional mechanical scanning". The "two-dimensional sparse array" technology is represented by Rohde & Schwarz, while companies using the "one-dimensional linear array + one-dimensional mechanical scanning" technology include L3 Technologies in the United States, Boway Terahertz in China, Tongfang Weishi, and Huaxun Fangzhou.

[0003] Terahertz millimeter-wave active imaging systems have garnered significant attention in the security and inspection field in recent years due to their advantages, including high imaging resolution, 3D imaging capabilities, and resistance to environmental interference. Traditional X-ray security systems rely on the ionizing radiation of X-rays to image objects; however, this ionizing radiation can cause cumulative damage to the human body. Therefore, in applications such as semi-automated production lines and security checks, there is a growing market demand for terahertz millimeter-wave active imaging systems that offer lower radiation power and are harmless to humans.

[0004] Millimeter-wave transceiver systems are the front end of active imaging systems. Their main function is to generate and transmit electromagnetic wave signals, while simultaneously amplifying and down-converting the received echo signals to intermediate or zero frequencies for acquisition and processing by signal processing boards. Currently, the "one-dimensional linear array + one-dimensional mechanical scanning" technology used in terahertz millimeter-wave active imaging systems on the market still employs a full array configuration.

[0005] Module reuse is another common method to reduce hardware costs. However, introducing module reuse may degrade system performance to some extent. Therefore, how to properly use module reuse to reduce hardware costs is one of the issues that engineers need to consider in the design of RF transceiver systems.

[0006] To further reduce the hardware cost of millimeter-wave transceiver systems while ensuring that the system can achieve detection and recognition performance indicators, a millimeter-wave transceiver system based on sparse arrays and module reuse is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is: to address the difficulty in reducing the hardware cost of existing millimeter-wave transceiver systems to a greater extent by using module reuse, and to provide a millimeter-wave transceiver system based on sparse array and module reuse.

[0008] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical solution: The present invention includes a frequency agile source, a transceiver channel, and two antenna feeder components. The transceiver channel includes a frequency converter component, a transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch module, and a receiving single-pole 4-throw switch module. The antenna feeder components include a transmitting channel and a receiving channel. The transmitting channel includes four transmitting horn antennas; the receiving channel includes two single-pole 16-throw switch modules that integrate receiving horn antennas. The transmitting channels of the two antenna feeder components are connected to the frequency converter component through the transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch modules, and the receiving channels of the two antenna feeder components are connected to the frequency converter component through the receiving single-pole 4-throw switch modules. The frequency converter component is connected to the frequency agile source. The transmitting antenna array of the transmitting channel and the receiving antenna array of the receiving channel are both arranged in a sparse array configuration.

[0009] Preferably, the transmitting antenna is a transmitting horn antenna, and the receiving antenna is a receiving horn antenna.

[0010] Preferably, the number of transmitting horn antennas in the transmitting channel of a single antenna feed assembly is 4, and the number of receiving horn antennas in the receiving channel of a single antenna feed assembly is 32.

[0011] Preferably, the transmitting horn antennas of the transmitting channels in the two antenna feed assemblies are respectively connected to the transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch module.

[0012] Preferably, the single-pole 16-throw switch module integrating the receiving horn antenna in the receiving channel of the two antenna feed components is connected to the receiving single-pole 4-throw switch module respectively.

[0013] Preferably, the transmitting horn antenna array is a one-dimensional sparse linear array.

[0014] Preferably, the single-pole 16-throw switch module integrating the receiving horn antenna is arranged in a sparse array.

[0015] Preferably, the agile frequency source includes a power control module, a DDS module, a frequency multiplier module, an intermediate frequency demodulation module, a phase-locked loop (PLL) module, and a clock module. The clock module is connected to the PLL module and the DDS module, the DDS module is connected to the frequency multiplier module, the PLL module is connected to the intermediate frequency demodulation module, and the power control module is connected to the clock module, the DDS module, the frequency multiplier module, the PLL module, and the intermediate frequency demodulation module.

[0016] Preferably, the agile frequency source is connected to an external host computer and signal processing board, respectively.

[0017] Preferably, the frequency conversion component includes an 8-fold frequency multiplier, a single-sideband up-converter, and a mirror rejection mixer. The TXA-DDS / TXB-DDS signals generated by the frequency agile source are multiplied by the 8-fold frequency multiplier and then sent to the single-sideband up-converter to generate TXA-RF / TXB-RF signals. The echo signals RXA-RF / RXB-RF signals are generated by the mirror rejection mixer to produce RXA-IF / RXB-IF signals, which are then sent to the frequency agile source to generate I / Q signals for acquisition by the signal processing board.

[0018] Preferably, the receiving single-pole four-throw switch module selects a designated channel according to the control timing generated by the agile frequency converter, and sends the echo signal received by the antenna feeder component to the frequency converter component for down-conversion.

[0019] Preferably, the transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch module selects a designated channel according to the control timing generated by the frequency agile source, and sends the signal generated by the frequency conversion component to the antenna feed component, which is then radiated into free space by the transmitting horn antenna.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: compared with the existing full array transceiver system, the sparse array combined with the module reuse system greatly reduces the hardware cost of the transceiver system; and it has the advantages of simple solution and low power consumption, which is worth promoting and using. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is an installation diagram of the millimeter-wave transceiver system of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a system block diagram of the millimeter-wave transceiver system of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the variable frequency source in this invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the frequency converter component in this invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the single-pole 8-throw switch module in this invention;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the receiving single-pole 4-throw switch module in this invention;

[0027] Figure 7 These are schematic diagrams of the structures of the two antenna feeder components in the embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. These embodiments are implemented based on the technical solution of the present invention, and provide detailed implementation methods and specific operation processes. However, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0029] like Figure 1 The diagram shows the installation of a millimeter-wave transceiver system based on sparse arrays and module multiplexing. The novel ultra-low-cost millimeter-wave transceiver system based on sparse arrays and module multiplexing described in this invention includes a frequency agile source 11, a transceiver channel, two antenna feed assemblies 15 (A / B sides), and several cables. The transceiver channel includes a frequency converter 12, a transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch module 13, and a receiving single-pole 4-throw switch module 14. The two antenna feed assemblies 15 are symmetrically mounted on a portal frame for easy detection of objects or people.

[0030] like Figure 2 Figure a shows a system block diagram of the millimeter-wave transceiver system based on sparse arrays and module multiplexing. The frequency agile source generates and transmits TX-IF, TX-DDS, and +6.5V signals to the frequency conversion component. The frequency conversion component generates a TX-RF signal through frequency multiplication, amplification, and frequency conversion, and sends it to the transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch module. The transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch module selects a designated channel according to the control timing generated by the frequency agile source and sends the TX-RF signal to the antenna feeder components (antenna feeder components A and B). The antenna feeder components radiate the TX-RF signal into free space through the transmitting horn antenna and select a designated channel of the single-pole 16-throw receiving switch module (SP16T) integrating a receiving horn antenna according to the control timing generated by the frequency agile source, sending the RX-RF signal to the receiving single-pole 4-throw switch module. Simultaneously, the receiving single-pole 4-throw switch module selects a designated channel according to the control timing generated by the frequency agile source and sends the RX-RF signal to the frequency conversion component. The frequency conversion component generates the RX-IF signal through amplification and down-conversion, and sends it to the agile frequency converter for down-conversion to zero frequency for signal processing board to acquire and generate images.

[0031] like Figure 2Figure b shows a system block diagram of a millimeter-wave transceiver system using a full-array technology. The frequency agile source generates and transmits TXA-IF, TXA-DDS, and +6.5VA signals to frequency converter A, and generates and transmits TXB-IF, TXB-DDS, and +6.5VB signals to frequency converter B. Frequency converter A generates TXA-RF signals through frequency multiplication, amplification, and frequency conversion, and sends them to antenna feeder A. Frequency converter B generates TXB-RF signals through frequency multiplication, amplification, and frequency conversion, and sends them to antenna feeder B. The antenna feeders (antenna feeders A and B) select designated channels of the transmit single-pole 4-throw switch module and the transmit single-pole 16-throw switch module according to the control timing generated by the frequency agile source, transmitting the TX-RF (TXA-RF, TXB-RF) signals into free space. Simultaneously, the antenna feeder components (antenna feeder components A and B) select the designated channels of the receiving single-pole 4-throw switch module and the receiving single-pole 16-throw switch module according to the control timing generated by the frequency agile source, and send the echo signals RX-RF (RXA-RF, RXB-RF) to the frequency conversion components (frequency conversion components A and B). The frequency conversion components (frequency conversion components A and B) generate RX-IF signals (RXA-IF, RXB-IF) through amplification and down-conversion, and send them to the frequency agile source for down-conversion to zero frequency for signal processing board acquisition and image generation.

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown, the overall structure of the agile frequency source is a standard 2U chassis, containing six components: a power control module 1, a DDS module 2, a frequency multiplier module 3, an intermediate frequency demodulation module 4, a phase-locked loop (PLL) module 5, and a clock module 6. The clock module 6 is connected to the PLL module 5 and the DDS module 2, the DDS module 2 is connected to the frequency multiplier module 3, the PLL module 5 is connected to the intermediate frequency demodulation module 4, and the power control module 1 is connected to the clock module 6, the DDS module 2, the frequency multiplier module 3, the PLL module 5, and the intermediate frequency demodulation module 4. It mainly performs the following functions: 1. Generating S-band SFCW sweep signals through the DDS module 2 and the frequency multiplier module 3; 2. Converting the received echo signals to a zero-frequency signal and sending it to the signal processing board for processing; 3. This transceiver subsystem has a BIT self-test function, performing a self-test after system power-on and uploading the self-test status information to the host computer via serial communication.

[0033] like Figure 4As shown, the frequency converter assembly includes an 8-fold frequency multiplier, a single-sideband up-converter, and a mirror rejection mixer. The TXA-DDS / TXB-DDS signals generated by the frequency agile source are multiplied by the 8-fold frequency multiplier and then sent to the single-sideband up-converter to generate TXA-RF / TXB-RF signals. The echo signals RXA-RF / RXB-RF signals are generated by the mirror rejection mixer to produce RXA-IF / RXB-IF signals, which are then sent to the frequency agile source to generate I / Q signals for acquisition by the signal processing board. It mainly performs the following functions: 1. Up-converting the S-band SFCW sweep signal to the K-band through frequency multiplication and conversion; 2. Converting the received echo signal to an intermediate frequency (IF) and sending it to the frequency agile source for processing. The external RF signal connector, power connector, and bit detection signal connector of the frequency converter assembly are all SSMA-JW3506G.

[0034] like Figure 5 As shown, the input and output connectors of the transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch module are both 2.92mm-K connectors. Based on the control timing generated by the frequency agile source, a designated channel is selected, and the TX-RF signal generated by the frequency converter is sent to the antenna feed assembly, where it is radiated into free space by the transmitting horn antenna.

[0035] like Figure 6 As shown, the input and output connectors of the receiving single-pole 4-throw switch module are both 2.92mm-K connectors. Based on the control timing generated by the frequency agile source, a designated channel is selected, and the echo signal received by the antenna feeder component is sent to the frequency converter component for down-conversion.

[0036] like Figure 7 As shown in Figure a, each antenna feed assembly includes four transmitting horn antennas 21 and two single-pole 16-throw receiving switch modules 22 that integrate receiving horn antennas. Upon power-up, the designated channel of the transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch module is selected according to the control timing of the frequency agile source, transmitting the K-band SFCW signal generated by the frequency converter to the transmitting horn antenna via the transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch module. Simultaneously, the designated channels of the single-pole 16-throw receiving switch module 22 integrating the receiving horn antenna and the receiving single-pole 4-throw switch module are selected according to the control timing of the frequency agile source, sending the echo signal to the frequency converter for down-conversion. The transmitting antenna array of the antenna feed assembly is a one-dimensional sparse linear array; the receiving antenna array consists of two single-pole 16-throw receiving switch modules 22 that integrate receiving horn antennas, and the two single-pole 16-throw switch modules are also arranged sparsely.

[0037] Figure 7Figure b shows a schematic diagram of the full-array antenna system. Each antenna feeder assembly of the full-array system consists of three transmit single-pole 16-throw switch modules 23, three receive single-pole 16-throw switch modules 24, one transmit single-pole 4-throw switch module 25, and one receive single-pole 4-throw switch module 26. The transmit single-pole 16-throw switch modules 23 are connected to the transmit single-pole 4-throw switch modules 25 respectively; the receive single-pole 16-throw switch modules 24 are connected to the receive single-pole 4-throw switch modules 26 respectively.

[0038] Comparing the bills of materials of the ultra-low cost sparse array + module multiplexing transceiver system and the full array transceiver system, it can be found that the sparse array + module multiplexing transceiver system uses 8 horn antennas and 4 single-pole 16-throw receiver switch modules that integrate receiving horn antennas to replace the 6 transmitting single-pole 16-throw switch modules and 6 receiving single-pole 16-throw switch modules in the full array transceiver system; it uses 1 transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch module and 1 receiving single-pole 4-throw switch module to replace the 2 transmitting single-pole 4-throw switch modules and 2 receiving single-pole 4-throw switch modules in the antenna feed assembly of the full array transceiver system; in addition, compared with the full array transceiver system, the sparse array + module multiplexing transceiver system only uses one frequency conversion component.

[0039] The cables mainly include: 1. The parameter configuration cable for the DDS module is a USB-RS422 cable; 2. The cable for issuing control timing information to the antenna feeder component is a DB15 cable; 3. The RF signal, power supply, and bit signal cables from the frequency converter to the frequency converter component are all SMA-SSMA cables; 4. The cables from the frequency converter component to the single-pole 8-throw switch module, from the frequency converter component to the single-pole 4-throw switch module, from the single-pole 8-throw switch module to the antenna feeder component, from the antenna feeder component to the single-pole 4-throw switch module, and the internal cables of the antenna feeder component are all 2.92mm cables.

[0040] The novel ultra-low-cost millimeter-wave transceiver system based on sparse arrays and module multiplexing described in this invention can effectively reduce the cost of terahertz millimeter-wave transceiver systems. Furthermore, this novel ultra-low-cost millimeter-wave transceiver system based on sparse arrays and module multiplexing also has the advantages of simple design and low power consumption.

[0041] In summary, this millimeter-wave transceiver system based on sparse arrays and module multiplexing, compared to the full-array transceiver system, significantly reduces the hardware cost of the transceiver system by approximately 35.7% by using a sparse array combined with module multiplexing. Furthermore, it has the advantages of simple design and low power consumption, making it worthy of widespread adoption.

[0042] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A millimeter-wave transceiver system based on sparse arrays and module multiplexing, characterized in that: It includes a frequency agile source, a transceiver channel, and two antenna feeder components; the transceiver channel includes a frequency converter, a transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch module, and a receiving single-pole 4-throw switch module; The antenna feed assembly includes a transmitting channel and a receiving channel. The transmitting channel includes four transmitting horn antennas; the receiving channel includes two single-pole 16-throw switch modules that integrate receiving horn antennas. The transmitting channels of the two antenna feed assemblies are connected to the frequency converter assembly through the transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch modules, and the receiving channels of the two antenna feed assemblies are connected to the frequency converter assembly through the receiving single-pole 4-throw switch modules. The frequency converter assembly is connected to the frequency agile source. The transmitting antenna array of the transmitting channel and the receiving antenna array of the receiving channel are both arranged in a sparse array configuration. The transmitting antenna is a transmitting horn antenna, and the receiving antenna is a receiving horn antenna; The number of transmitting horn antennas in the transmitting channel of a single antenna feed assembly is 4, and the number of receiving horn antennas in the receiving channel of a single antenna feed assembly is 32. The transmitting horn antennas of the transmitting channels in the two antenna feed assemblies are respectively connected to the transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch module; The single-pole 16-throw switch module integrating the receiving horn antenna in the receiving channel of the two antenna feed components is respectively connected to the receiving single-pole 4-throw switch module. The transmitting horn antenna array is a one-dimensional sparse linear array, and the single-pole 16-throw switch module that integrates the receiving horn antenna is arranged in a sparse manner. The agile frequency source includes a power control module, a DDS module, a frequency multiplier module, an intermediate frequency demodulation module, a phase-locked loop (PLL) module, and a clock module. The clock module is connected to the PLL module and the DDS module, the DDS module is connected to the frequency multiplier module, the PLL module is connected to the intermediate frequency demodulation module, and the power control module is connected to the clock module, the DDS module, the frequency multiplier module, the PLL module, and the intermediate frequency demodulation module. The frequency conversion component includes an 8-fold frequency multiplier, a single-sideband up-converter, and a mirror rejection mixer. The TXA-DDS / TXB-DDS signals generated by the frequency agile source are multiplied by the 8-fold frequency multiplier and then sent to the single-sideband up-converter to generate TXA-RF / TXB-RF signals. The echo signals RXA-RF / RXB-RF signals are generated by the mirror rejection mixer to generate RXA-IF / RXB-IF signals, which are then sent to the frequency agile source to generate I / Q signals for acquisition by the signal processing board.

2. A millimeter-wave transceiver system based on sparse arrays and module multiplexing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The agile frequency source is connected to an external host computer and signal processing board, respectively.

3. A millimeter-wave transceiver system based on sparse arrays and module multiplexing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiving single-pole 4-throw switch module selects a designated channel according to the control timing generated by the frequency agile source, and sends the echo signal received by the antenna feed component to the frequency converter for down-conversion. The transmitting single-pole 8-throw switch module selects a designated channel according to the control timing generated by the frequency agile source, and sends the signal generated by the frequency converter to the antenna feed component, which is then radiated into free space by the transmitting horn antenna.

Images