A method for debugging a multi-port power amplifier

Abstract

The application provides a debugging method of a multi-port power amplifier, comprising the following steps: S1, closing all HPA branches; S2, selecting two channels in the MPA for testing, one channel as a measurement input port to receive an uplink input sweep signal, and the other channel corresponding to an output port as a measurement output port to transmit a downlink isolated output signal, the downlink isolated output signal is received by a spectrum analyzer, and the level of the downlink received signal is recorded, then all HPA branches are opened one by one for testing, and the level of the downlink received signal is recorded; S3, opening two HPA branches with a theoretical phase difference of 180 degrees on the output port to transmit an uplink sweep signal, so that the two HPA branches work in a linear region, keeping the phase shifter gear of one HPA branch unchanged, observing the output signal level, adjusting the phase shifter gear of the other HPA branch to make the output signal level lowest, and recording the phase shifter gears of the two HPA branches, and then adjusting the phase shifter gears of all HPA branches one by one.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of satellite communication, in particular, the present application relates to a kind of debugging method of multi-port power amplifier. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, the competition of satellite communication market is increasingly fierce, in order to respond to market changes in time, effectively improve the leasing rate of satellite transponder, flexible load is gradually adopted by satellite manufacturers and operators. As a type of flexible load, on-board multi-port power amplifier MPA is more and more applied in satellite design. MPA is a multi-input and multi-output power amplifier system, multiple signals share a group of power amplifiers, so that the power of multiple amplifiers is combined together, and the power is dynamically allocated and adjusted in a larger range according to the input signal change, without ground command intervention, to realize the "pooling" work of transponder power. MPA can also make the signal break through the power limit of a single tube, so as to meet the higher capacity demand.

[0003] MPA normal work highly depends on the amplitude and phase consistency of each channel transmission characteristics, therefore, leveling the amplitude and phase of each channel of MPA becomes the most important purpose and the most critical work of MPA debugging. For this reason, in practical application, each channel of MPA is equipped with a phase shifter to compensate for the mismatch of amplitude and phase of each channel, and HPA is a high power amplifier. How to adjust the parameters of the phase shifter to balance the amplitude and phase of each channel is the key to MPA debugging.

[0004] The conventional MPA debugging method at present is generally carried out at subsystem level, that is, before MPA is connected to satellite load, only MPA is tested separately, and the test method is based on the working principle that the amplitude and phase of each branch signal at the main channel synthesis output port should be completely consistent, the absolute values of the amplitude and phase of each power amplifier branch signal are directly tested between the main channel input port and the main channel synthesis output port by using a vector network analyzer, the phase shifter settings of each channel are adjusted according to the amplitude and phase difference of each branch signal, and then the best amplitude and phase consistency is obtained. The advantages of this debugging method are that the parameters required to be adjusted by the phase shifter are directly obtained, the debugging principle and process are simple and clear, and the full frequency band of MPA can be quickly debugged. However, this conventional debugging method also has great limitations and deficiencies, mainly as follows: since the absolute values of the signal amplitude and phase need to be measured, and the absolute values of the test amplitude and phase must be measured by using a vector network analyzer, the test conditions and equipment requirements are relatively strict, which is only suitable for subsystem level. When MPA is connected to the whole satellite load system, it is very inconvenient to use a vector network analyzer to measure the signal after frequency conversion and channelization; especially after the satellite is launched and operated in orbit, it is impossible to use a vector network analyzer to measure it, so the application scope of the conventional debugging method is very limited.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a debugging scheme of a multi-port power amplifier to overcome the deficiencies of the conventional debugging method. SUMMARY

[0006] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the present application provides a debugging method of a multi-port power amplifier to solve the above technical problems.

[0007] The technical method adopted by the present application to solve its technical problems is: a debugging method of a multi-port power amplifier, which is improved in that it comprises the following steps: S1, closing all HPA branches; S2, selecting two channels in the MPA for testing, one channel as a measurement input port to receive an uplink input sweep signal, and the other channel corresponding to an output port as a measurement output port to transmit a downlink isolated output signal, the downlink isolated output signal being received by a spectrum analyzer and recording the level of the downlink received signal, and then opening all HPA branches one by one for testing and recording the level of the downlink received signal; S3, opening two HPA branches with a theoretical phase difference of 180° on the output port to transmit an uplink sweep signal, so that both HPA branches work in the linear region, keeping the phase shifter gear of one HPA branch unchanged, observing the output signal level, adjusting the phase shifter gear of the other HPA branch to make the output signal level lowest, and recording the phase shifter gears of the two HPA branches, and then adjusting the phase shifter gears of all HPA branches one by one to complete the debugging.

[0008] In the above method, the step S2 comprises the following steps:

[0009] S21, selecting two channels with overlapping frequencies in the MPA for testing, one channel as a measurement input port to receive an uplink input sweep signal, and the other channel corresponding to an output port as a measurement output port to transmit a downlink isolated output signal, the downlink isolated output signal being received by a spectrum analyzer and recording the level of the downlink received signal;

[0010] S22, opening all HPA branches one by one for testing and recording the level of the downlink received signal of each branch.

[0011] In the above method, in the step S22, if the values of the levels of the downlink received signals of the HPA branches are inconsistent, the gain gears of the HPA and / or the corresponding phase shifter are adjusted to make the values of the levels of the downlink received signals of the HPA branches consistent.

[0012] In the above method, the step S3 comprises the following steps:

[0013] S31, open two HPA branches with 180° theoretical phase difference at output port, keep other HPA branches closed, and transmit uplink sweep signal, so that both HPA branches work in linear region;

[0014] S32, keep the phase shifter gear of one HPA branch unchanged, observe output signal level, adjust the phase shifter gear of another HPA branch, so that the output signal level is lowest, and record the phase shifter gears of two HPA branches;

[0015] S33, close one HPA branch, open one HPA branch with 180° theoretical phase difference with the remaining HPA branch at output port, continue to debug, keep the phase shifter gear of the adjusted HPA branch unchanged, adjust the phase shifter gear of another HPA branch, so that the output signal level is lowest, and record the phase shifter gear;

[0016] S34, select HPA branches with 180° theoretical phase difference two by two for debugging in turn, until the phase shifter gears of all HPA branches are debugged, and the debugging is completed.

[0017] In the above method, for the MPA of the ultra-wide band, one channel is selected at high, medium and low frequencies for debugging the phase shifter gear.

[0018] The present application has the advantages that: by using the characteristics that the signals of each HPA branch of the MPA require two-to-two phase inversion and mutual cancellation at the isolation port, the debugging of the MPA can be completed only by using a spectrum analyzer, the requirements for the test environment, test conditions and test equipment are low, the application range is wider, and the problems of high requirement for test equipment, harsh test conditions, small application range and inability to realize whole satellite and on-orbit state debugging in the conventional MPA debugging scheme are overcome. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Fig. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a 4*4 MPA. Figure 1 Fig. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a 4*4 MPA.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the main channel and the isolation channel of a four-in-four-out MPA. Figure 2 Fig. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the main channel and the isolation channel of a four-in-four-out MPA.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a debugging method of a multi-port power amplifier. Figure 3 Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a debugging method of a multi-port power amplifier.

[0022] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a 4*4 MPA debugging process. Figure 4 5 Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a 4*4 MPA debugging process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present application will be further described below in combination with the drawings and embodiments. ​

[0024] The concept, specific structure and generated technical effects of the present application will be described clearly and completely in combination with the embodiments and the drawings, so as to fully understand the purposes, features and effects of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor are within the protection scope of the present application. In addition, all the coupling / connection relations involved in the patent do not mean that the components are directly connected, but means that the better coupling structure can be composed by adding or reducing the coupling accessories according to the specific implementation. The technical features in the present application can be combined interactively without conflict.

[0025] MPA is composed of N HPAs, a phase shifter assembly, and N*N input Butler matrix and output Butler matrix as core functional devices. The input Butler matrix is configured at the input of MPA, the output Butler matrix is configured at the output of MPA, and backup HPA, corresponding switching matrix and connecting cable and other devices are configured. Wherein N=2 n (n=1, 2, 3, …). A typical structure of 4*4 MPA is shown in Figure 1 The input Butler and output Butler are cascaded by n layers of hybrid bridges (N=2 n ) in function, which can decompose and synthesize the input signals according to certain amplitude and phase relationship. The working principle of MPA is that each input signal is decomposed into N equal amplitude and different phase signals by input Butler, which are sent into N HPAs for amplification, and then the amplified N signals are decomposed into N equal amplitude and different phase signals by output Butler, which are distributed to N output ports. Each output channel has N signals from different HPAs. Among them, at the main channel output port, N signals are recombined with the same phase to output; and at the isolation channel output port, since the phase of N signals is opposite to each other and mutually offset, there is no signal output in ideal case. Taking an input port of a typical four-input four-output MPA as an example, the theoretical phase relationship of the main channel and the isolation channel is shown in Figure 2

[0026] ​Different from the conventional debugging method, the scheme is also based on the basic principle of the consistency of the amplitude and phase of each channel, but uses different perspectives and characteristics for debugging, thereby breaking through the limitations of the conventional debugging method. The main differences are: (1) the test port is different, the conventional debugging method tests at the synthetic output port; the scheme of the present application tests at the isolation output port; (2) the MPA amplitude correlation used is different, the conventional debugging method tests the characteristics that the amplitudes and phases of each HPA branch signal of the MPA synthetic output port are completely consistent, and the absolute values of the amplitudes and phases of each HPA branch signal are directly tested for debugging, which is a direct testing method, while the scheme of the present application uses the characteristics that each HPA branch signal of the MPA requires two-to-two opposite phase and mutual cancellation at the isolation port, and through the measurement and adjustment of two opposite HPA branches in pairs, the output level of the isolation port is minimized, and the debugging of the MPA is indirectly completed; (3) the requirements for test conditions and instruments are different, since the present application tests the relative change of the output signal, it is not necessary to establish the level and phase relationship between the system input and output, the present scheme can be realized by using a spectrum analyzer only, the requirements for test environment, test conditions and test equipment are low, the application range is wider, and the problem that the conventional debugging method cannot be debugged during the whole satellite stage, especially after being in orbit, is effectively overcome, the on-orbit debugging of the MPA can be effectively realized, and the optimization of the performance of the MPA is ensured.

[0027] Referring to Figure 3 The debugging method of the multi-port power amplifier of the present application comprises the following steps:

[0028] S1, all HPA branches are closed;

[0029] S2, two channels in the MPA are selected for testing, one channel is used as a measurement input port to receive an uplink input sweep signal, and the other channel is used as a measurement output port to transmit a downlink isolation output signal, the downlink isolation output signal is received by a spectrum analyzer, and the level of the downlink received signal is recorded, all HPA branches are opened one by one for testing, and the level of the downlink received signal is recorded;

[0030] Specifically, step S2 comprises the following steps:

[0031] S21, two channels with overlapping frequencies in the MPA are selected for testing, one channel is used as a measurement input port to receive an uplink input sweep signal, and the other channel is used as a measurement output port to transmit a downlink isolation output signal, the downlink isolation output signal is received by a spectrum analyzer, and the level of the downlink received signal is recorded;

[0032] S22, all HPA branches are opened one by one for testing, and the level of the downlink received signal of each branch is recorded;

[0033] Further, if the values of the levels of the downlink received signals of the HPA branches are inconsistent, the gain of the HPA and / or the corresponding phase shifter is adjusted so that the values of the levels of the downlink received signals of the HPA branches are consistent.

[0034] S3, two HPA branches with a theoretical phase difference of 180° on the output port are opened, an uplink sweep signal is transmitted, both HPA branches work in the linear region, the phase shifter position of one HPA branch is kept unchanged, the output signal level is observed, the phase shifter position of the other HPA branch is adjusted so that the output signal level is the lowest, and the phase shifter positions of the two HPA branches are recorded, and then the phase shifter positions of all the HPA branches are adjusted in turn, and the adjustment is completed.

[0035] Specifically, step S3 includes the following steps:

[0036] S31, two HPA branches with a theoretical phase difference of 180° on the output port are opened, the other HPA branches are kept closed, and an uplink sweep signal is transmitted so that both HPA branches work in the linear region.

[0037] S32, the phase shifter position of one HPA branch is kept unchanged, the output signal level is observed, the phase shifter position of the other HPA branch is adjusted so that the output signal level is the lowest, and the phase shifter positions of the two HPA branches are recorded.

[0038] S33, one of the HPA branches is closed, one HPA branch with a theoretical phase difference of 180° with the remaining HPA branches on the output port is opened, the phase shifter position of the remaining HPA branch is kept unchanged, the phase shifter position of the other HPA branch is adjusted so that the output signal level is the lowest, and the phase shifter position is recorded.

[0039] S34, the HPA branches with a theoretical phase difference of 180° are selected in turn to perform the adjustment, and the phase shifter positions of all the HPA branches are adjusted until the adjustment of the phase shifter positions of all the HPA branches is completed. The adjustment of the MPA is completed, and the phase shifter positions of all the channels are the optimal positions.

[0040] Further, for the ultra-wideband MPA, one channel is selected in each of the high, medium and low frequencies to adjust the phase shifter position, and the optimal position setting of each frequency band is obtained.

[0041] A typical 4*4 MPA is taken as an example to describe the adjustment process according to the method of the present application, and the adjustment process is shown in FIGS. 1-6. Figure 4 5 The following steps 1-9 are the adjustment process of the 4*4 MPA:

[0042] ​Step 1. Before debugging, all TWTA branches are in the off state, TWTA is a traveling wave tube amplifier (Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier), TWTA is a type of HPA, and the 4*4 MPA here is a TWTA as HPA, which is described as one of the embodiments, but the debugging method of the application is applicable to all HPAs, not limited to TWTA;

[0043] Step 2. As shown in Figure 4 , assuming that port 1 is the input port and port 5 is the output port (the principles of other ports are the same);

[0044] Step 3. Open each TWTA branch in turn, and record the received signal level value. If the level values of each TWTA branch are inconsistent, adjust the traveling wave tube gain and the phase shifter gain to make the level values of each TWTA branch substantially consistent.

[0045] Step 4. Open TWTA1 branch and TWTA2 branch, keep TWTA3 branch and TWTA4 branch closed, and transmit an uplink sweep signal.

[0046] Step 5. Maintain the same position of phase shifter assembly C1, adjust the phase of phase shifter assembly C2 in front and back, observe the output signal level, make the output level value lowest, record the position of phase shifter assembly C1 and phase shifter assembly C2 when the output signal level is minimum.

[0047] Step 6. As shown in Figure 5 , close TWTA2 branch, open TWTA3 branch, and transmit an uplink sweep signal.

[0048] Step 7. Maintain the same position of phase shifter assembly C1, adjust the phase of phase shifter assembly C3 in front and back, observe the output signal level, make the output level value lowest, record the position of phase shifter assembly C3 when the output signal level is minimum.

[0049] Step 8. As shown in Figure 6 , close TWTA1 branch, open TWTA4 branch, and transmit an uplink sweep signal.

[0050] Step 9. Maintain the same position of phase shifter assembly C3, adjust the phase of phase shifter assembly C4 in front and back, observe the output signal level, make the output level value lowest, record the position of phase shifter assembly C4 when the output signal level is minimum, and complete the debugging.

[0051] Step 10. The positions of phase shifter assembly C1, phase shifter assembly C2, phase shifter assembly C3 and phase shifter assembly C4 at this time are the optimal positions of the 4*4 MPA.

[0052] The application utilizes the characteristic that the signals of each channel of the MPA require two-to-two reverse phase and mutual cancellation at the isolation port, and only needs to use a spectrum analyzer to complete the debugging of the MPA, has lower requirements on the test environment, test conditions and test equipment, has wider application range, and overcomes the problems that the conventional MPA debugging scheme has high requirements on the test equipment, harsh test conditions, small application range, cannot realize the whole satellite and in-orbit state debugging.

[0053] The above is a specific description of the preferred embodiment of the application, but the application is not limited to the described embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or replacements without departing from the spirit of the application, and these equivalent modifications or replacements are all included in the scope defined by the claims of the application.

Claims

1. A method of commissioning a multi-port power amplifier, the method comprising: The steps include the following: ​ S1, close all HPA branches; S2, select two channels in the MPA for testing, one channel as the measurement input port to receive the uplink input sweep signal, and the other channel corresponding to the output port as the measurement output port to transmit the downlink isolation output signal, the downlink isolation output signal is received by the spectrum analyzer, and the level of the downlink received signal is recorded, and then all HPA branches are opened one by one for testing, and the level of the downlink received signal is recorded after testing; S3, open two HPA branches with a theoretical phase difference of 180° on the output port, transmit the uplink sweep signal, and make both HPA branches work in the linear region, keep the phase shifter position of one HPA branch unchanged, observe the output signal level, adjust the phase shifter position of the other HPA branch to make the output signal level lowest, and record the phase shifter positions of the two HPA branches, and then adjust the phase shifter positions of all HPA branches one by one, and the adjustment is completed; The step S3 includes the following steps: S31, open two HPA branches with a theoretical phase difference of 180° on the output port, keep other HPA branches closed, and transmit the uplink sweep signal to make both HPA branches work in the linear region; S32, keep the phase shifter position of one HPA branch unchanged, observe the output signal level, adjust the phase shifter position of the other HPA branch to make the output signal level lowest, and record the phase shifter positions of the two HPA branches; S33, close one of the HPA branches, open one HPA branch with a theoretical phase difference of 180° with the remaining HPA branch on the output port, and continue to adjust, keep the phase shifter position of the adjusted HPA branch unchanged, adjust the phase shifter position of the other HPA branch to make the output signal level lowest, and record the phase shifter position; S34, select two HPA branches with a theoretical phase difference of 180° one by one for adjustment until the phase shifter positions of all HPA branches are adjusted, and the adjustment is completed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: The step S2 includes the following steps: S21, select two channels with overlapping frequencies in the MPA for testing, one channel as the measurement input port to receive the uplink input sweep signal, and the other channel corresponding to the output port as the measurement output port to transmit the downlink isolation output signal, the downlink isolation output signal is received by the spectrum analyzer, and the level of the downlink received signal is recorded; S22, open all HPA branches one by one for testing, and record the levels of the downlink received signals of the branches.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein: In the step S22, if the values of the levels of the downlink received signals of the HPA branches are inconsistent, adjust the gain of the HPA and / or the corresponding phase shifter to make the values of the levels of the downlink received signals of the HPA branches consistent.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein: For the MPA of the ultra-wide band, one channel is selected at high, medium and low frequencies for phase shifter position adjustment.

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