An automatic identification method for subarray position in phased array radar antenna surface array

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of automatic identification method of subarray position in phased array radar antenna face array.The present application utilizes the inherent power supply interface of subarray, increases a set of coordinate terminals in it, so that subarray can automatically identify its own physical position in antenna face array after being installed on antenna face array according to the coordinate terminal in power supply interface.The physical coordinates of subarray are sent to the lower level extension through the downlink data optical fiber connected thereto, and the lower level extension maps the data transmission physical channel with the physical coordinates of subarray by identifying the coordinate position information in optical fiber data, and then generates the resource scheduling control information of each channel, which sends control command to the real corresponding subarray according to the mapping relationship, to realize correct and efficient resource scheduling of phased array antenna face array.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of phased array radar technology, and specifically relates to the automatic identification of the physical installation positions of a large number of subarrays or T / R components in the active antenna array of a phased array radar. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous iteration and advancement of chip design, manufacturing, and packaging technologies, chips are becoming smaller, more functional, and cheaper. The increasing functionality of chips has led to a gradual transition in the T / R (transfer / receive) modules of phased array radars from "brick"-like components to "tile"-like subarrays, achieving higher integration and improving volume utilization while reducing weight. The decline in chip prices has driven the development of phased array radars, and the expanding demand has resulted in increasingly larger antenna array sizes. However, this expansion brings challenges: the number of components and subarrays composing the antenna array is increasing, interconnections are becoming more complex, and the production, debugging, management, and resource scheduling of the antenna array are becoming increasingly difficult.

[0003] Each subarray in an antenna array needs to know its physical location within the array to correctly direct the beam and generate the corresponding control signals based on the phase-shifted codes received from the downstream unit. Several methods exist to achieve this, allowing each subarray to clearly define its physical location within the array. For example, a beam controller or resource scheduler can send coded signals via serial or parallel signal lines, which the subarrays then receive, decode, and identify their position coordinates. This method requires a pair of serial control lines connecting each subarray to the beam controller. However, antenna arrays are confined to limited space, have a compact layout, and are filled with numerous interconnecting cables and optical fibers. The interconnections between modules and their external connections are complex. Even with intelligent cabling planning, it's impossible to reduce the number of connecting cables or the complexity of the connections. Furthermore, the complex electromagnetic environment within the antenna array during operation can cause electromagnetic interference to the various interconnecting cables. Therefore, to address the complex interconnections between modules within the antenna array, reduce electromagnetic interference to connecting cables, improve the neatness of the internal space, and enhance reliability and maintainability, reducing the number of connecting cables is more effective than increasing their shielding capacity. Replacing serial or parallel signal lines transmitting coded signals with optical fibers transmitting optical signals is a more effective solution. While the extensive use of optical fibers solves the electromagnetic interference problem, it does not reduce the complexity of the internal interconnections of the antenna array. Furthermore, this method of transmitting subarray coordinate encoding via optical fiber requires a precise one-to-one correspondence between the transmitting optical fiber and the subarray in physical location. Even a minor error in connection will result in a significant waste of time, manpower, materials, and financial resources. Because the receiving subarray needs to receive the correct position coordinates based on the corresponding physical optical fiber, if the receiving end receives incorrect position coordinates due to an incorrect physical fiber correspondence, it will lead to the calculation of an incorrect beamforming phase shift code, ultimately causing incorrect beam pointing and making fault location and troubleshooting extremely difficult. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To achieve arbitrary interconnection of components or subarrays in a phased array radar antenna array with the data transmission optical fibers of the downstream unit, and to solve the problem of subarray coordinate position identification errors caused by physical optical fiber connection mismatch, thus leading to abnormal operation of the entire antenna array, this invention proposes an automatic identification method for subarray positions in a phased array radar antenna array. Utilizing the external power supply interface of the subarray, a set of coordinate terminals is added to the existing connectors. This allows each subarray, after being installed on the antenna array, to automatically identify its own physical coordinate position within the antenna array based on the coordinate information in the power supply connector. The physical coordinates of each subarray are transmitted to the downstream unit via the connected downlink data optical fiber. The downstream unit identifies the coordinate position information in the optical fiber data, maps the physical channel of the data transmission path to the physical position of the subarray in the antenna array, and then generates resource scheduling control information for each subarray according to the task requirements. Based on this mapping relationship, the downstream unit sends control commands to the corresponding subarrays, thereby achieving correct and efficient resource scheduling of the phased array antenna array.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the technical solution of the present invention includes:

[0006] A set of position coordinate identification terminals is added to both the power socket and the power plug connected to the subarray. These terminals can be replaced by extra pins in the connector. The power plug is designed with a signal transmission band, a conduction path, and an LED connected to the signal output pin. When the subarray is powered on, it sends a high-level signal to the signal input pin of the power plug through the signal output pin of the power socket. This high-level signal is then transmitted via the signal transmission band to the corresponding conduction path of each signal output pin on the power plug. A binary code is formed based on the position coordinates of the subarray on the antenna array that it is connected to. By connecting the corresponding conduction path between the signal transmission band and the signal output pin in the power plug, the corresponding signal output pin in the plug transmits the high-level signal to the signal input pin connected to it on the socket. The subarray detects the high-level signals on all signal input pins and forms a binary code for its position coordinates based on the correspondence between high level and binary 1, and low level and binary 0. The subarray uses this binary code as its position coordinates within the antenna array.

[0007] Furthermore, in the plug connected to the subarray power supply socket, an LED is soldered between each output signal pin and the signal ground. When a high-level signal is received on the signal output pin from the signal transmission band, a voltage is generated across the LED, illuminating the LED connected to the high-level signal output pin. This forms a binary code of the subarray's position coordinates in the form of light. By verifying the consistency between this binary code and the actual position coordinate code of the subarray on the antenna array, installation and debugging personnel can quickly confirm whether there is an error in the plug's conduction path or whether there is a connection error in the power supply plug connected to the subarray.

[0008] Furthermore, the radar's resource scheduling and control unit transmits fiber optic logical channel numbers via the uplink optical fibers of each subarray on the antenna array. It then receives the uplink fiber optic logical channel numbers and the actual physical coordinates of the subarrays, relayed via the downlink optical fibers. This mapping of the uplink fiber optic logical channel numbers to the subarray physical coordinates forms a fiber optic connection mapping table. When beamforming or scanning of the antenna array is required, the resource scheduling and control unit broadcasts phase shift angles to the subarrays via the uplink optical fibers. Each subarray calculates its own phase shift code based on its physical coordinates and the received phase shift angles to achieve beamforming or scanning. When fine-tuning of the antenna array's transceiver channels is required, the resource scheduling and control unit queries the fiber optic connection mapping table and uses the uplink optical fibers of the corresponding subarrays to achieve precise channel-level control of the antenna array.

[0009] This invention fully utilizes the inherent power supply interface of each subarray or T / R component in an antenna array without adding additional hardware. Through repeated consideration of the antenna array scale during the initial design phase, the redundant terminals in the power supply interface are used to form the binary coordinate code of the subarray or T / R component. LEDs are used at each connection terminal to create a visually identifiable error indication. This allows for quick identification of whether the power socket connection is incorrect after subarray installation. Simultaneously, it eliminates the need for physical correspondence between the data transmission fiber optic cables between the subarray and the downstream unit, fundamentally solving the problem of beam distortion caused by incorrect mapping between the physical and logical positions of subarrays or T / R components due to physical mismatch in data transmission fiber optic cables in large-scale antenna arrays, and the difficulty in locating faults after beam distortion occurs. This invention eliminates the serial transmission line used to determine the subarray or physical position of the downstream unit connecting to the subarray, reducing the workload during antenna array installation; it reduces connecting cables, lowering the cost of the antenna array; and it reduces connections within the antenna array susceptible to electromagnetic interference, improving operational reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the socket position coordinate identification port, where A is the signal output pin and B is the signal input pin;

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the plug position coordinate identification port, where C is the signal ground, D is the signal input pin, E is the LED, F is the conduction path, G is the signal transmission band, and H is the signal output pin;

[0012] Figure 3 Plug LED coding diagram;

[0013] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the overall plug structure, where J is the signal coordinate terminal, K is the power input and ground terminal, and L is the positioning pin of the connector; Detailed Implementation

[0014] The technical solution of the present invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0015] This invention provides an automatic identification method for the position of subarrays in a phased array radar antenna array. After being powered on, the T / R components or subarrays that make up the antenna array can automatically identify their own installation position coordinates in the antenna array. Without adding additional hardware equipment, it makes full use of existing conditions and, through minor improvements to the subarray power supply port, allows the optical fibers between the subarrays in the antenna array and the subsequent sub-units to be arbitrarily connected without causing errors in the identification of the subarray position coordinates.

[0016] This invention proposes an automatic identification method for the positions of subarrays in a phased array radar antenna array. In a preferred embodiment, a set of coordinate signal ports is added to the power supply plug of the subarray, such as... Figure 4 As shown in the diagram (J is the coordinate signal terminal, K is the subarray power supply terminal, and L is the positioning pin of the plug). The power supply socket for the subarray is also correspondingly increased. After the subarray is installed, the antenna array is powered on. The subarray first sends a high-level continuous low-voltage electrical signal (e.g., an LVTTL signal) through the signal output port on the power socket (corresponding to the signal input port on the plug). The high-level signal enters from the signal input port D of the subarray power supply plug, as shown... Figure 2 As shown, the signal is then transmitted by the signal transmission band G to the conductive path F of each signal output port. When the plug corresponds to a subarray in the antenna array whose coordinate position is at the origin (i.e., coordinates (0, 0)), all paths between the signal transmission bands and the signal output ports are not conductive. At this time, for the subarray, the signal level detected from the signal input port of the power socket (corresponding to the signal output port of the plug) is all low. At the same time, the 8 LEDs on the power plug are not lit because there is no voltage difference.

[0017] by Figure 3The following example illustrates this: A plug corresponds to the subarray at position 10th row, 6th column in the antenna array. The signal output ports of this power supply plug are designed as A1 to D1, where 4 bits represent the row position of the subarray in the antenna array; the 4 bits from A2 to D2 of the output port represent the column position of the subarray in the antenna array. The path on the signal transmission band to signal output ports A1 and C1 is connected, allowing the signal in the power supply plug to be transmitted from the signal transmission band to the corresponding signal output ports. Simultaneously, the path on the signal transmission band to signal output ports B2 and C2, representing the column numbers, is also connected. When the antenna array is powered on, the subarray first sends a continuous high-level signal through the signal output pin on the power socket. This signal is then input to the signal transmission band of the power plug, which is paired with the socket. Depending on the actual conduction status, this high-level signal is transmitted via the signal transmission band to positions A1 and C1, representing the subarray row number, forming the code "1010"; it is also transmitted to positions B2 and C2, representing the subarray array number, forming the code "0110". The signal from the power plug is output through the signal output port and then fed back to the subarray through the signal input port of the power socket. The subarray detects its own position coordinates from the socket as "1010" row and "0110" column, and then sends these coordinates to the downstream unit through each connected downlink fiber. The downstream unit decodes the coordinate position of the connected subarray from the physical fiber, groups the physical fibers transmitting the same subarray coordinate code into a group, and sends the fiber logic channel code through the uplink fiber. The subarray then forwards the fiber logic channel code received through the uplink fiber to the downstream unit through the downlink fiber. The downstream unit maps the actual subarray coordinate code received through the downlink fiber to the uplink fiber logic channel code, which serves as a backup fiber connection table.

[0018] Normally, for antenna array beamforming, each subarray only needs to know the azimuth and elevation angles of the beam pointing. The subarray then calculates its azimuth and elevation phase shift codes based on its physical coordinates within the antenna array. In this case, the downstream unit can broadcast the commands, ensuring that each subarray receives the same beam pointing angle, eliminating the need for uplink fiber optic differentiation. However, when fine-tuning is required, the downstream unit needs precise control down to each channel of each subarray. Before sending control commands, the downstream unit queries the fiber optic connection backup table, mapping the subarray's physical coordinates within the antenna array to the uplink fiber optic logical channels to achieve precise command transmission and fine-tuned resource scheduling.

[0019] To address issues such as incorrect conduction connections between the signal transmission band and signal output port in the subarray power supply plugs during production, and incorrect plug-in connections between the power supply plugs and the subarrays, an LED is connected between each signal output port of each power supply plug and ground. When a subarray detects a high level at the signal input port of the power socket, the corresponding signal output port on the plugged-in power supply plug also shows a high level, illuminating the corresponding LED. Based on the LED's code, the identified subarray position coordinates can be visually observed. By comparing these coordinates with the actual subarray installation coordinates, it is possible to quickly check whether the conduction connection between the signal transmission band and signal output port within the power supply plug is correct, and whether the plug-in connection is correct.

Claims

1. An automatic identification method for the position of subarrays in a phased array radar antenna array, characterized in that: A set of position coordinate identification terminals is added to both the power socket and the power plug connected to the subarray. These terminals can be replaced by extra pins in the connector. The power plug is designed with a signal transmission band, a conduction path, and an LED connected to the signal output pin. When the subarray is powered on, it sends a high-level signal to the signal input pin of the power plug through the signal output pin of the power socket. This high-level signal is then transmitted via the signal transmission band to the corresponding conduction path of each signal output pin on the power plug. A binary code is formed based on the position coordinates of the subarray on the antenna array that it is connected to. By connecting the corresponding conduction path between the signal transmission band and the signal output pin in the power plug, the corresponding signal output pin in the plug transmits the high-level signal to the signal input pin connected to it on the socket. The subarray detects the high-level signals on all signal input pins and forms a binary code for its position coordinates based on the correspondence between high level and binary 1, and low level and binary 0. The subarray uses this binary code as its position coordinates within the antenna array. The radar's resource scheduling and control unit sends fiber optic logical channel numbers through the uplink optical fibers of each subarray on the antenna array, and then receives the uplink fiber optic logical channel numbers and the actual physical location coordinates of the subarrays forwarded by the downlink optical fibers on the antenna array. It then maps the uplink fiber optic logical channel numbers to the physical location coordinates of the subarrays to form a fiber optic connection mapping table. When beamforming or scanning of the antenna array is required, the resource scheduling and control unit broadcasts the phase shift angle to the subarrays on the antenna array via uplink fiber. Each subarray calculates its own phase shift code based on its physical coordinates and the received phase shift angle to achieve beamforming or scanning. When fine scheduling of each transceiver channel of the antenna array is required, the resource scheduling and control unit queries the fiber connection mapping table and achieves channel-level precise control of the antenna array via the uplink fiber of the corresponding subarray.

2. The automatic identification method for the subarray positions in a phased array radar antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the plug connected to the subarray power supply socket, an LED is soldered between each output signal pin and the signal ground. When the signal output pin receives a high-level signal from the signal transmission band, a voltage is generated across the LED, illuminating the LED connected to the high-level signal output pin, thus forming the binary code of the subarray's position coordinates in the form of light.

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