An adaptive and automatically adjustable probe for microwave load pull system

Abstract

An adaptive, automatically adjustable probe for a microwave load pull system. It consists of a probe (P), a metallized fabric gasket (F), a probe fixing shaft (R), a spring (S), a probe fixing cavity (C), a spring pressure piece (E), and a screw (B). The probe (P) is rotatable, with two metallized fabric gaskets (F) fixed to its two sides. When inserted into a microwave slotted transmission line (T), the outer surfaces of the two metallized fabric gaskets (F) adhere tightly to the inner surfaces of the microwave slotted transmission line (T), maintaining elastic and soft contact. The probe can move axially and vertically along the center conductor (D), achieving a microwave probe for microwave load pull measurement systems that can maintain precise and permanent positioning, maintains elastic and soft contact with the surface of the microwave slotted transmission line, is resistant to wear, and exhibits adaptive, automatically adjustable motion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of microwave load pull measurement, and in particular to a microwave probe for a microwave load pull measurement system, which can achieve permanent and precise probe positioning, has elastic and soft contact with the surface of a microwave slotted transmission line, is not easily worn, and can self-adapt and automatically adjust. Background Art

[0002] Microwave load-pull systems are widely used to measure and optimize the technical specifications of RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave chips, modules, and systems. The core device is the complex impedance tuner. The most important technical specification of a microwave load-pull system is measurement accuracy, which is primarily determined by the probe structure of the complex impedance tuner.

[0003] An existing complex impedance tuner (Tuner) probe adopts a fixed hard-contact structure. The probe and its upper portion are fixed. When the probe is inserted into a microwave slotted transmission line, the two side surfaces of the probe are in close contact with the two inner surfaces of the microwave slotted transmission line. This has the advantage of accurate initial positioning of the probe. However, due to the daily friction between the probe and the microwave slotted transmission line, it will produce relatively large wear. At this time, even a slight deviation of the probe from the center point of the microwave slotted transmission line will seriously affect the probe's positioning accuracy, thereby affecting the measurement accuracy. In addition, because the upper portion of the probe is fixed, it may become locked or even broken due to deviation during the movement process.

[0004] Another existing complex impedance tuner (Tuner) has a rotatable non-contact probe structure. The probe is rotatable and inserted into the microwave slot transmission line. The two side surfaces of the probe do not contact the two inner surfaces of the microwave slot transmission line. The advantage is that it can move freely and will not get stuck. However, since the probe is rotatable and the two side surfaces of the probe do not contact the two inner surfaces of the microwave slot transmission line, if the probe rotates even slightly, the positioning accuracy of the probe will be seriously affected, thereby seriously affecting the measurement accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to improve the measurement accuracy of a microwave load pull system, the present invention provides a microwave probe for a microwave load pull measurement system, which can achieve permanent and precise positioning of the probe, has elastic and soft contact with the surface of a microwave slotted transmission line, is not easily worn, and can adaptively and automatically adjust.

[0006] The present invention solves the technical problem by employing a technical solution: an adaptive, automatically adjustable probe (PR) for a microwave load pull system comprises a probe (P), a metallized fabric gasket (F), a probe fixing shaft (R), a spring (S), a probe fixing cavity (C), a spring pressure piece (E), and a screw (B). The probe (P) is secured to the inner surfaces of two metallized fabric gaskets (F) on both sides. The probe (P) is secured to the probe fixing shaft (R), which is inserted into the probe fixing cavity (C). The spring (S) is inserted into the probe fixing shaft (R), and the spring pressure piece (E) compresses the spring (S) and is tightened to the probe fixing shaft (R) with a screw (B), thereby forming a complete adaptive, automatically adjustable probe (PR) for a microwave load pull system.

[0007] The adaptive, automatically adjustable probe (PR) comprises a rotatable probe (P) inserted into a slotted transmission line (T). The outer surfaces of its two metallized fabric gaskets (F) adhere to the inner surfaces of the microwave slotted transmission line (T). The probe is resilient and allows for axial and vertical movement along the center conductor (D). Therefore, if the probe (P) deviates from a certain point along the microwave slotted transmission line (T), pressure differences between the two sides of the probe (P) will result, causing the probe (P) to automatically rotate and quickly adjust to the center of the microwave slotted transmission line (T). This is the adaptive automatic adjustment mechanism. At this point, the outer surfaces of the two metallized fabric gaskets (F) of the probe (P) maintain resilient, soft contact with the inner surfaces of the microwave slotted transmission line (T), ensuring the probe's permanent and precise positioning, thus maintaining the measurement accuracy of the LoadPull system and resisting damage.

[0008] In addition, the above-mentioned probe (P) and the probe fixing shaft (R) can be an integrated structure to perform the same function; the above-mentioned probe (P) can also be a pure metal probe with metal elasticity and in elastic contact with the microwave slotted transmission line (T). In this case, the metallized fabric gasket (F) is not required and the same function can be performed.

[0009] The beneficial effects of the present invention are that the adaptive automatic adjustment of the probe of the microwave load pull measurement system is realized, the probe is not easily worn, and the positioning is permanent and precise, thereby ensuring the measurement accuracy and service life of the microwave load pull system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0011] Figure 1 It is a structural principle diagram of the present invention and its structural relationship with the microwave slotted transmission line and the central conductor.

[0012] Figure 2 The diagram is a schematic structural diagram of a complex impedance tuner (Tuner) constructed using an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] In the picture

[0014] PR: Microwave Load Pull System's adaptive, automatically adjustable probe (in the dashed box), P: probe, F: metallized fabric gasket, R: probe fixing shaft, S: spring, C: probe fixing cavity, E: spring pressure piece, B: screw, T: slotted transmission line, D: center conductor;

[0015] C1: microwave connector, C2: microwave connector, M: horizontal and vertical drive device of the probe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] exist Figure 1 The probe (P) is composed of a probe (P), a metalized fabric gasket (F), a probe fixing shaft (R), a spring (S), a probe fixing cavity (C), a spring pressure piece (E), and a screw (B). The probe (P) is adhered to the inner surfaces of the two metalized fabric gaskets (F) on both sides. The probe (P) is fixed to the probe fixing shaft (R), which is inserted into the probe fixing cavity (C). The spring (S) is inserted into the probe fixing shaft (R), and the spring pressure piece (E) presses the spring (S). The probe is tightened to the probe fixing shaft (R) with a screw (B), forming a complete adaptive, automatically adjustable probe (PR) for the microwave load pull system. The adaptive, automatically adjustable probe (PR) is inserted into the slotted transmission line (T), maintaining elastic and soft contact with the inner surfaces of the microwave slotted transmission line (T), and can move axially and vertically along the center conductor (D). Since the probe (P) of the structure is rotatable, even if the probe (P) deviates from a certain part of the slotted transmission line (T), the pressure difference will cause the probe (P) to rotate automatically, so that the probe (P) can be quickly and automatically corrected to the center position of the microwave slotted transmission line (T). In addition, the two outer surfaces of the two metallized fabric gaskets (F) adhered to the probe (P) can still maintain elastic and soft contact with the two inner surfaces of the microwave slotted transmission line (T), and are not easily damaged. This ensures the permanent and precise positioning of the probe (P), thereby ensuring the measurement accuracy of the Load Pull system.

[0017] Figure 2A schematic diagram of the structure of a complex impedance tuner (Tuner) constructed using an embodiment of the present invention is shown. A microwave slotted transmission line (T) is connected to a microwave connector (C1) and a microwave connector (C2) at both ends. An adaptive, automatically adjustable probe (PR) of a microwave load pull system is inserted into the microwave slotted transmission line (T). The probe's horizontal and vertical drive devices (M) drive the adaptive, automatically adjustable probe (PR) to move horizontally and vertically along a center conductor (D). Due to the structural features of the adaptive, automatically adjustable probe (PR) of the microwave load pull system, precise positioning and tuning of the complex impedance on the Smith chart can be achieved. Figure 1 yes Figure 2 The AA cross-sectional view of the structural principle diagram of the complex impedance tuner (Tuner) composed of an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

Claims

1. An adaptive automatic adjustment probe (PR) for a microwave load pull system, comprising a probe (P), a metalized fabric gasket (F), a probe fixing shaft (R), a spring (S), a probe fixing cavity (C), a spring pressing piece (E), and a screw (B), wherein: The two inner surfaces of two metallized fabric gaskets (F) are fixed on both sides of the probe (P). The two outer surfaces of the two metallized fabric gaskets (F) are respectively tightly attached to the two inner surfaces of the slotted transmission line (T), maintaining elastic soft contact. The probe (P) is fixed on the probe fixing shaft (R), and the probe fixing shaft (R) is inserted into the probe fixing cavity (C). The spring (S) is inserted into the probe fixing shaft (R). The outer diameter of the spring (S) contained in the probe fixing cavity (C) is larger than the inner diameter of the lower opening of the probe fixing cavity (C). The spring pressing piece (E) presses the spring (S) and is tightened to the probe fixing shaft (R) with screws (B), forming a complete microwave load. The Pull system's adaptive automatic adjustment probe (PR) is rotatable. If the probe (P) deviates, the pressure difference will cause the probe (P) to rotate automatically, allowing the probe (P) to quickly and automatically correct to the center position of the microwave slotted transmission line (T). In addition, the two outer surfaces of the two metallized fabric gaskets (F) adhered to the probe (P) can still maintain elastic and soft contact with the two inner surfaces of the microwave slotted transmission line (T).

2. The self-adaptive automatic adjustment probe of the microwave load pull system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The probe (P) and the probe fixing shaft (R) are an integrated structure.

3. The self-adaptive automatic adjustment probe of the microwave load pull system according to claim 1, characterized in that: (P) A pure metal probe structure with metal elasticity and elastic contact with the microwave slotted transmission line (T) is used, which no longer requires two metallized fabric gaskets (F).

4. The self-adaptive automatic adjustment probe of the microwave load pull system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The probe fixing cavity (C) is cylindrical.

5. The self-adaptive automatic adjustment probe of the microwave load pull system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The probe fixing cavity (C) is in the shape of a rectangular column.

6. The self-adaptive automatic adjustment probe of the microwave load pull system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The self-adaptive automatic adjustment probe (PR) is inserted into the slotted transmission line (T) and can move axially and up and down along the center conductor (D).

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