A method and system for calculating power losses of a load-haul-dump system

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of microwave radio frequency test, and discloses a kind of load traction system power loss calculation method and system, the calculation method, load traction system signal transmission path analysis is carried out, and the loss value of electronic device in load traction system is tested using vector network analyzer, so as to calculate the power loss value of load traction system input end and / or load end.The present application solves the problems of power loss calculation complexity, test efficiency and the like existing in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of microwave radio frequency testing technology, specifically a method and system for calculating power loss in a load-driven system. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of aerospace technology, the demand for high-power chips is increasing, and wide-bandgap semiconductor materials have made the manufacturing of high-power chips possible. In the design process of power amplifier chips, power simulation using a load-pull system is an essential step. The load-pull system obtains the output power and efficiency of the power transistor under different impedance conditions by changing the load impedance. Chip designers then determine the optimal impedance value based on application requirements.

[0003] Load-pulling systems can be broadly categorized into three types: passive, hybrid, and active. For passive systems, the load impedance is adjusted via an impedance regulator. In this case, impedance adjustment does not rely on an external amplifier system, but the impedance range is narrow, which may not meet current design requirements. Hybrid and active load-pulling systems, on the other hand, require an external amplifier system for impedance adjustment. The difference lies in the power requirements: active systems rely solely on an external amplifier to adjust the load impedance, placing high demands on the amplifier's capabilities. Hybrid systems integrate the characteristics of both active and passive systems, combining an impedance regulator with an external amplifier system to achieve a wider impedance adjustment range with relatively lower power. To meet design requirements, hybrid or active systems are often used for testing, targeting amplifier transistors with different power ratings, matching impedances, and frequency ranges. Before testing, a specific-sized external amplifier system needs to be configured based on actual usage requirements. Currently, there is no industry-standard method for testers to calculate the minimum external amplifier system requirements based on the type of amplifier transistor being tested. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a method and system for calculating the power loss of a load traction system, which solves the problems of complex power loss calculation and low testing efficiency in the prior art.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above problems is:

[0006] A method for calculating the power loss of a load traction system involves analyzing the signal transmission path of the load traction system and using a vector network analyzer to test the loss values ​​of electronic components in the load traction system, thereby calculating the power loss values ​​at the input end and / or the load end of the load traction system.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution, the steps include:

[0008] S1, Parameter Test: Use a vector network analyzer to perform port S-parameter tests on the electronic components used in the load traction system to obtain the corresponding S21 parameter values ​​of the electronic components;

[0009] S2, Indicator Confirmation: Confirm the inherent electrical performance indicators of the power amplifier tube under test based on the simulation results;

[0010] S3, Calculation of connection power loss value: Substitute the parameter values ​​obtained from the S1 test into the load traction system, and sum the S21 values ​​of each interconnecting device sequentially to obtain the connection power loss value P of the input loop. sin and the connection power loss value P of the load-side loop sload ;

[0011] S4, System power loss calculation: Based on the inherent electrical performance indicators of the power amplifier tube under test obtained in step S2, and the P obtained in step S3... sin and P sload Calculate the power loss value of the load traction system.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, in step S2, the inherent electrical performance indicators of the power amplifier tube under test include the reflection coefficient value Γ of the input terminal matching. in The reflection coefficient value Γ matched at the load end load Maximum input power value P inmax and output power value P outmax .

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, P inmax and P outmax The unit is W.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution, in step S4, the input power loss is: 10lg(P) inmax / (1-|Γ in | 2 )*1000)+P sin .

[0015] As a preferred technical solution, in step S4, for the active load traction system, the power loss at the load end is: P sload +10lg(P outmax *|Γ load | 2 *1000).

[0016] As a preferred technical solution, in step S4, for the mixed load traction system, the power loss at the load end is: 10lg(|Γ load | 2 )-20lg(|Γ0|)+2IL+P sloadWhere Γ0 is the maximum adjustable reflection coefficient value of the impedance regulator, and IL is the insertion loss between the impedance regulator and the power transistor under test.

[0017] As a preferred technical solution, in step S1, the electronic devices include cables, attenuators, duplexers, couplers, or bias circuits.

[0018] A power loss calculation system for a load traction system, used to implement the aforementioned method for calculating power loss of a load traction system, comprises the following modules connected in sequence:

[0019] S1, Parameter Testing Module: Used to perform port S-parameter tests on electronic devices used in the load traction system using a vector network analyzer, and obtain the corresponding S21 parameter values ​​of the electronic devices;

[0020] S2, Indicator Confirmation Module: Used to confirm the inherent electrical performance indicators of the power amplifier tube under test based on the simulation results;

[0021] S3, Connection Power Loss Calculation Module: Used to input the parameter values ​​obtained from the S1 test into the load traction system, and sequentially add the S21 values ​​of each interconnecting device to obtain the connection power loss value P of the input loop. sin and the connection power loss value P of the load-side loop sload ;

[0022] S4, System Power Loss Calculation Module: Used to calculate the power loss based on the inherent electrical performance indicators of the power amplifier tube under test obtained in step S2 and the P obtained in step S3. sin and P sload Calculate the power loss value of the load traction system.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0024] This invention can estimate the actual power loss of the power amplifier tube under test before actual testing, which has great guiding significance for the power amplifier usage requirements before platform construction and improves testing efficiency to a certain extent. At the same time, the calculation method is applicable to active and mixed load traction systems, and under mixed load traction systems, the power loss value at the load end is independent of the output power of the power tube under test. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the platform connection for an active load traction system.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the platform connection for a mixed-load traction system.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a magnified view of a portion of the stage for the device under test.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a test block diagram for a vector network analyzer.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the steps of a method for calculating power loss in a load traction system according to the present invention.

[0030] The following are the markings and corresponding component names in the attached diagram: 1. Load traction system main unit, 2. Connection hole, 3. RF cable, 4. Duplexer, 5. Power amplifier, 6. Bias circuit, 7. RF probe, 8. Power transistor under test, 9. Stage, 10. Impedance regulator, 11. External coupler, 12. Vector network analyzer, 13. Electronic device under test. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0032] Example 1

[0033] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, this invention provides a simple calculation method for the construction of hybrid or active systems, thereby improving the actual testing efficiency of testers.

[0034] Includes the following steps:

[0035] S1, Parameter Test: Use a vector network analyzer to perform port S-parameter tests on the electronic components used in the load traction system to obtain the corresponding S21 parameter values ​​of the electronic components;

[0036] S2, Indicator Confirmation: Confirm the inherent electrical performance indicators of the power amplifier tube under test based on the simulation results;

[0037] S3, Calculation of connection power loss value: Substitute the parameter values ​​obtained from the S1 test into the load traction system, and sum the S21 values ​​of each interconnecting device sequentially to obtain the connection power loss value P of the input loop. sin and the connection power loss value P of the load-side loop sload ;

[0038] S4, System power loss calculation: Based on the inherent electrical performance indicators of the power amplifier tube under test obtained in step S2, and the P obtained in step S3... sin and P sload Calculate the power loss value of the load traction system.

[0039] Preferably, the calculation method yields the power loss at the input terminal as: 10lg(P) inmax / (1-|Γ in | 2 )*1000)+P sin .

[0040] Preferably, the calculation method used for active load traction systems yields the power loss at the load end as: P sload +10lg(P outmax *|Γ load | 2 *1000).

[0041] Preferably, for a mixed-load traction system, the calculation method defines the maximum adjustable reflection coefficient of the impedance regulator as Γ0, and the insertion loss between the impedance regulator and the power transistor under test as IL. Then, the power loss at the load end is: 10lg(|Γ0||IL ... load | 2 )-20lg(|Γ0|)+2IL+P sload .

[0042] The advantages of this invention are:

[0043] This calculation method is relatively simple to use and can estimate the actual power loss of the power amplifier transistor under test before actual testing. It provides good guidance for the power amplifier usage requirements before platform construction and improves testing efficiency to a certain extent. At the same time, this calculation method is applicable to active and mixed load driven systems, and in mixed load driven systems, the power loss at the load end is independent of the output power of the power transistor under test.

[0044] Example 2

[0045] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, as a further optimization of Embodiment 1, this embodiment also includes the following technical features based on Embodiment 1:

[0046] Figures 1-2These diagrams illustrate the platform setup and connection of an active load traction system and a hybrid load traction system, respectively. Typically, the left half of the system represents the input signal loop, and the right half represents the load-side signal loop. The specific functions of the components of the entire system are as follows: The load traction system host 1 generates and analyzes signals; it is the main body of the system. Connection port 2 is used for interaction between the host and external signals; it serves as the signal input / output port. RF cable 3 connects various functional components for signal transmission. Duplexer 4 combines the fundamental and harmonic signals, transmitting the signal through its common port. Power amplifier 5 amplifies the small signals generated by the load traction system host. Bias circuit 6 provides DC power to the power amplifier tube under test. RF probe 7 is used for on-chip testing of the power amplifier tube under test. Power transistor 8 is used for... The device under test (DUT), stage 9 is used to place and fix the power transistor under test (PTT), the load traction system host impedance regulator 10 is used to adjust the impedance value of the load end, the load traction system host external coupler 11 is used for signal transmission during high-power testing, the load traction system host vector network analyzer 12 is used to test the S-parameters of the ports of various devices in the load traction system, and the load traction system host DUT 13 refers to the device that needs to be tested for port S-parameters, excluding the power transistor under test, RF probes, etc. The loss values ​​of RF probes and impedance regulators can be found in the S2P file provided by the original manufacturer. Under normal circumstances, the user cannot perform the test.

[0047] The transmission path of the input loop signal is as follows: the load traction system host 1 generates a small signal, which is transmitted to the input of the power amplifier 5 through the RF cable 3. After being amplified by the power amplifier 5, the signal is output to the receiving port of the load traction system host 1. After being identified internally by the load traction system host 1, the signal is transmitted sequentially through the RF cable 3 to the bias circuit 6 and the RF probe 7, and finally reaches the input port of the power transistor under test 8 to drive the power transistor under test 8. At this point, the input loop ends.

[0048] The output loop signal transmission path is divided into two parts. The first part involves the load traction system host 1 generating a signal, which is transmitted to the power amplifier 5 via RF cable 3. After being combined by the duplexer 4, the signal is returned to the load traction system host 1 for signal processing. The second part involves the power transistor driven at the input end amplifying the signal, and then the output signal is returned to the load traction system host 1 for signal reception and processing via RF probe 7, bias circuit 6, and RF cable 3. It is important to note that there are two power amplifiers 5 in the output loop. The upper one is generally suitable for the fundamental frequency, and the lower one is suitable for the second harmonic. If a third harmonic is required, an additional power amplifier suitable for the third harmonic can be added below. Figure 2Two additional components are added to the load-side circuit. The load-pull system host impedance regulator 10 is an essential component of the hybrid load-pull system. When testing high-power transistors, using the impedance regulator can significantly reduce the power requirements at the load end. The load-pull system host external coupler 11 is also suitable for high-power transistor testing. For a typical load-pull host, the continuous wave power that it can withstand is 20W. When the maximum output power of the power transistor under test exceeds this range, the external coupler is required to read the power signal to protect the host. This component can be found in both active and hybrid systems, depending on the power test range.

[0049] The calculation method is explained using a mixed load traction system as an example. First, place the RF cables 3, 4, 6, and 11 of the components in the system in sequence. Figure 4 The S-parameter test was performed at the location of the load traction system host 13 shown in the figure. Before the test, ensure... Figure 4 The system has been calibrated. Record the S21 parameters of the frequency band under test from the test results, and name them P3, P4, P6, and P11 respectively. Consult the factory documentation for RF probes 7 and 10, and similarly record the S21 parameter values, naming them P7 and P10. Arrange the above devices according to... Figure 2 The installation is completed sequentially as shown. At this time, the input loop loss P sin =P3+P6+P7, where P3 represents the sum of all RF cable losses from the input loop power amplifier 5 to the power transistor under test 8, and the reflection coefficient of the input loop is defined as Γ. load , will P inmax Perform a unit conversion from W to dBm. The input power loss is then: 10lg(P inmax / (1-|Γ in | 2 )*1000)+P sin .

[0050] Power loss P of the fundamental loop at the output end sload = P3 + P10 + P4 + P11 + P6 + P7, where P3 is defined consistent with the input loop and represents the sum of all RF cable losses from the load power amplifier 5 to the power transistor under test 8 (harmonic loops are similar and not listed). Defined when the power transistor reaches P... outmax The reflection coefficient of the load-side loop is Γ load According to the formula for calculating the transmission power and reflection coefficient in transmission line theory: P - (z') / P + (z')=|Γ(z')| 2 That is, the power value P required by the reference end face can be obtained. - (z'), P + (z') is the incident power, defined here as Poutmax Γ(z') is the reflection coefficient of the reference surface, defined here as Γ load Therefore P - (z') is defined as P outmax *|Γ load | 2 z' is the power reference surface for loop testing, where P inmax and P outmax The unit is W.

[0051] Define the maximum adjustable reflection coefficient of the load traction system's main impedance regulator 10 as Γ0. The return loss at the regulator's end face can be obtained as -20lg(|Γ0|). Define the insertion loss between the impedance regulator and the power transistor under test as IL. The power loss when the output power reaches the reference end face of the impedance regulator and is reflected back to the power transistor under test is -20lg(|Γ0|) + 2IL. Therefore, the output power value P... outmax The final power value reaching the end face of the power transistor under test after reflection is: 10lg(P) outmax *1000)-[-20lg(|Γ0|)+2IL]. To achieve the reflection coefficient Γ load The required reflected power, with the remaining power needing to be supplemented by an external power amplifier system, is P. + (z')*|Γ(z')| 2 That is, P outmax *|Γ load | 2 At this point, the additional power required from the external power amplifier system, i.e., the power loss at the load end, is:

[0052] 10lg(P outmax *|Γ load | 2 *1000)-10lg(P outmax *1000)+[-20lg(|Γ0|)+2IL]+P sload After simplification, we get 10lg(|Γ) load | 2 )-20lg(|Γ0|)+2IL+P sload .

[0053] For active load traction systems, since there is no impedance matcher, in order to achieve the reflection coefficient Γ load The required reflected power must be entirely provided by an external power amplifier system. In this case, the power loss at the load end is: P sload +10lg(P outmax *|Γ load | 2 *1000).

[0054] This invention analyzes the signal transmission path of a test platform for active and hybrid load traction systems. Using a vector network analyzer, the loss values ​​of each component in the system are tested. The power loss values ​​at the input and load ends are calculated using the theory of uniform lossless transmission lines. This calculation method is relatively simple to use and can estimate the actual power loss of the power amplifier tube under test before actual testing. It provides excellent guidance for the power amplifier usage requirements before platform setup and improves testing efficiency to a certain extent.

[0055] As described above, the present invention can be implemented well.

[0056] All features disclosed in all embodiments of this specification, or steps in all methods or processes implied in the disclosure, may be combined and / or extended or replaced in any way, except for mutually exclusive features and / or steps.

[0057] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Based on the technical essence of the present invention, any simple modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made to the above embodiments within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for calculating power loss in a load traction system, characterized in that, Signal transmission path analysis is performed on the load traction system, and the loss values ​​of electronic components in the load traction system are tested using a vector network analyzer to calculate the power loss values ​​at the input and / or load ends of the load traction system. Includes the following steps: S1, Parameter Test: Use a vector network analyzer to perform port S-parameter tests on the electronic components used in the load traction system to obtain the corresponding S21 parameter values ​​of the electronic components; S2, Indicator Confirmation: Confirm the inherent electrical performance indicators of the power amplifier tube under test based on the simulation results; S3, Calculation of connection power loss value: Substitute the parameter values ​​obtained from the S1 test into the load traction system, and sum the S21 values ​​of each interconnecting device sequentially to obtain the connection power loss value P of the input loop. sin and the connection power loss value P of the load-side loop sload ; S4, System power loss calculation: Based on the inherent electrical performance indicators of the power amplifier tube under test obtained in step S2, and the P obtained in step S3... sin and P sload Calculate the power loss value of the load traction system; For a mixed-load traction system, the power loss at the load end is: 10lg(|Γ load | 2 -20lg(|Γ0|)+2IL+P sload Where Γ0 is the maximum adjustable reflection coefficient value of the impedance regulator, IL is the insertion loss between the impedance regulator and the power transistor under test, and Γ load The reflection coefficient value matched to the load end.

2. The method for calculating power loss in a load traction system according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S2, the inherent electrical performance parameters of the power amplifier tube under test include the reflection coefficient value Γ of the input matching. in The reflection coefficient value Γ matched at the load end load Maximum input power value P inmax and output power value P outmax .

3. The method for calculating power loss in a load traction system according to claim 2, characterized in that, P inmax and P outmax The unit is W.

4. The method for calculating power loss in a load traction system according to claim 2, characterized in that, In step S4, the input power loss is: 10lg (P inmax / (1-|Γ in | 2 ) 1000)+P sin .

5. The method for calculating power loss in a load traction system according to claim 2, characterized in that, In step S4, for the active load traction system, the power loss at the load end is: P sload + 10lg(P outmax |Γ load | 2 1000).

6. A method for calculating power loss in a load traction system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, In step S1, the electronic devices include cables, attenuators, duplexers, couplers, or bias circuits.

7. A calculation system for power loss in a load traction system, characterized in that, A method for calculating the power loss of a load traction system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprises the following modules connected in sequence: Parameter testing module: used to perform port S-parameter tests on electronic components used in the load traction system using a vector network analyzer, and obtain the corresponding S21 parameter values ​​of the electronic components; Indicator Confirmation Module: Used to confirm the inherent electrical performance indicators of the power amplifier tube under test based on the simulation results; Connection power loss calculation module: Used to input the parameter values ​​obtained from the S1 test into the load traction system, and to sum the S21 values ​​of each interconnect device sequentially to obtain the connection power loss value P of the input loop. sin and the connection power loss value P of the load-side loop sload ; System power loss calculation module: used to calculate the power loss based on the inherent electrical performance index of the power amplifier tube under test obtained in step S2 and the P obtained in step S3. sin and P sload Calculate the power loss value of the load traction system.

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