A radar high dynamic power supply test load

Abstract

The present invention discloses a radar high-dynamic power supply test load, which belongs to the field of radar technology and solves the problem that it is impossible to simulate the transient characteristics of the current of the radar array T / R component when it changes rapidly at the microsecond level. Therefore, it is impossible to accurately make targeted optimization according to the actual application scenario when designing the radar power supply, which will eventually lead to two situations. The radar power supply design is over-designed, resulting in the entire power supply being too large in size and too costly, or the design margin is insufficient, resulting in the radar failing to achieve the expected performance. It includes a transient characteristic simulator and a steady-state characteristic simulator, the transient characteristic simulator simulates the transient surge current at the moment when the T / R component is turned on, and the steady-state characteristic simulator simulates the steady-state power consumption of the T / R component during steady-state operation. The present invention simulates the transient characteristics and steady-state characteristics of the radar T / R component respectively, and is configured with an energy storage capacitor switch matrix, so that the simulated load can be closer to the actual working state of the T / R component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of radar technology, and in particular to a radar high dynamic power supply test load. Background Art

[0002] Radar is an electronic system that uses radio waves for detection and measurement. It determines the position, speed and other characteristics of the target object by emitting radio wave beams of a specific frequency and receiving the reflected signals. This technology originated in the early 20th century and developed rapidly during World War II. Its application range has expanded from military to civilian fields, including aviation navigation, meteorological monitoring, traffic management, ocean detection and geological exploration. Radar systems can be divided into pulse radar, continuous wave radar, phased array radar and synthetic aperture radar according to their working principles and application requirements. Each type has its unique advantages and application scenarios. With the continuous advancement of technology, modern radar systems are becoming more accurate, flexible and intelligent. They play an important role in improving safety, efficiency and environmental monitoring capabilities.

[0003] With the development of radar technology, the requirements for radar detection distance and the scale of radar T / R components are getting higher and higher. Therefore, the corresponding testing requirements for radar power supply systems are also getting higher and higher. The power supply test load plays a very important role in the design and testing process of the power supply. The current conventional electronic load is mainly used to simulate the scenario where the load current changes relatively slowly. For example, the entire change is in the order of a few hundred microseconds. Therefore, it is impossible to simulate the transient characteristics of the current when the radar array T / R components change rapidly in microseconds. As a result, the radar power supply design cannot accurately make targeted optimization according to the actual application scenario, which will eventually lead to two situations. The radar power supply design is over-designed, resulting in the entire power supply being too large in size and too expensive, or the design margin is insufficient, resulting in the radar failing to achieve the expected performance.

[0004] Therefore, a radar high dynamic power supply test load is proposed to solve or alleviate the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the shortcomings existing in the prior art, and a radar high dynamic power supply test load is proposed, which is divided into a transient characteristic simulator and a steady-state characteristic simulator, which respectively simulate the transient characteristics and steady-state characteristics of the radar T / R component, and is configured with a storage capacitor switch matrix, which can make the simulated load closer to the actual working state of the T / R component.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A radar high-dynamic power supply test load comprises a transient characteristic simulator and a steady-state characteristic simulator. The transient characteristic simulator simulates a transient surge current at the moment a T / R component is turned on, and the steady-state characteristic simulator simulates a steady-state power consumption during the steady-state operation of the T / R component.

[0008] Preferably, the steady-state characteristic simulator controls a resistance value therein according to a set current value to output a constant current value to absorb current from a power source.

[0009] Preferably, the steady-state characteristic simulator comprises an operational amplifier, a power MOS tube, and a sampling resistor, the positive pin of the operational amplifier inputs a given voltage value, the output end of the operational amplifier is connected to a resistor and then connected to the gate of the power MOS tube, the source of the power MOS tube is connected to a voltage source to be measured, the drain of the power MOS tube is connected to the sampling resistor and then grounded, and the negative pin of the operational amplifier is connected between the sampling resistor and the drain of the power MOS tube.

[0010] Preferably, the power MOS tube is a depletion-type P-channel tube.

[0011] Preferably, the transient characteristics simulator simulates the surge current at the moment when the drain switch of the T / R component is turned on according to the charging of the switch capacitor.

[0012] Preferably, the transient characteristics simulator includes a half-bridge drive circuit, a high-side switch, a low-side switch, and a capacitor. A control pulse is input into the input end of the half-bridge drive circuit. Two output ends of the half-bridge drive circuit are respectively connected to the gates of the high-side switch and the low-side switch. The source of the high-side switch inputs current. The drain of the high-side switch is connected to the source of the low-side switch. The drain of the low-side switch is grounded. One end of the capacitor is connected between the drain of the high-side switch and the source of the low-side switch, and the other end of the capacitor is grounded.

[0013] Preferably, the high-side switch and the low-side switch are depletion-type N-channel transistors.

[0014] Preferably, it also includes an energy storage capacitor switch matrix, and the energy storage capacitor switch matrix simulates the energy storage capacitor inside the T / R power distribution board.

[0015] Preferably, the energy storage capacitor switch matrix includes a plurality of energy storage capacitors and a plurality of electrically controlled switches. The plurality of energy storage capacitors are divided into a plurality of groups in a stepwise manner according to different capacitance values. Each group of energy storage capacitors is connected to an electrically controlled switch, and the electrically controlled switches are controlled to open and close by a host computer.

[0016] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. Purpose of this design product: This design is suitable for radar high dynamic power supply test load products

[0018] 2. Key points of this design product: This design provides a method of dividing the core load simulation part in the power supply load simulator into two parts: a transient switching characteristic simulator and a steady-state characteristic simulator. This method can simulate the transient surge current at the moment when the T / R component is turned on, and can also simulate the steady-state power consumption of the T / R component during steady-state operation. This makes the working characteristics of the load simulator similar to those of the actual T / R component, solving the problem that conventional load simulators cannot simulate the transient surge current of T / R components.

[0019] 3. This design uses large-capacity switching capacitors to simulate the transient current characteristics of T / R components, uses MOS tubes to achieve constant current loads to simulate the steady-state power consumption of T / R components, and uses energy storage capacitor switch matrices to simulate the load states of T / R components under different energy storage capacitor configurations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments are briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 It is the wiring diagram of the steady-state characteristic simulator in the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 It is the wiring diagram of the transient characteristics simulator in the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is the wiring diagram of the energy storage capacitor switch matrix in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0025] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention claimed for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or are the orientations or positional relationships in which the product of the invention is conventionally placed when in use, or are the orientations or positional relationships conventionally understood by those skilled in the art. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0028] Furthermore, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. are merely used for distinguishing descriptions and are not to be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "set", "install", "connect", and "connect" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0030] A radar high-dynamic power supply test load comprises a transient characteristic simulator and a steady-state characteristic simulator. The transient characteristic simulator simulates the transient surge current at the moment when a T / R component is turned on, and the steady-state characteristic simulator simulates the steady-state power consumption of the T / R component during steady-state operation, so that the working characteristics of the load simulator are similar to those of the actual T / R component, thereby solving the problem that a conventional load simulator cannot simulate the transient surge current of the T / R component.

[0031] Preferably, the steady-state characteristic simulator controls a resistance value therein according to the set current value to output a constant current value to absorb current from the power source.

[0032] Specifically, Figure 1As shown, the steady-state characteristic simulator includes an operational amplifier, a power MOS tube, and a sampling resistor. The positive pin of the operational amplifier inputs a given voltage value, the output end of the operational amplifier is connected to a resistor and then connected to the gate of the power MOS tube, the source of the power MOS tube is connected to the voltage source to be measured, the drain of the power MOS tube is connected to the sampling resistor and then grounded, and the negative pin of the operational amplifier is connected between the sampling resistor and the drain of the power MOS tube, and the power MOS tube is a depletion-type P-channel tube.

[0033] The steady-state characteristic simulator can provide a constant current mode, which is often referred to as CC mode. When working in this mode, the power supply device is usually a voltage source, which just meets the power supply characteristics of the radar power distribution circuit. The steady-state characteristic simulator controls the gate voltage of the power MOS tube according to the set current value, and then controls the rds of the field effect tube. No matter how large the voltage is, it will absorb current from the power supply at a constant current value. This mode is also applicable to the load mode of the phased array radar T / R component. Figure 1 As shown in the figure, VREF represents a given voltage value, Q1 is a power MOS tube, R1 is a standard sampling resistor, R0 is a resistor, and Vtest is a voltage source to be tested. Its working principle can be briefly described as follows: When VREF is positive at the beginning, the output voltage of the operational amplifier increases, and the conduction of Q1 also increases, which increases the current flowing through Q1, thereby increasing the sampling voltage on R1, which reduces the difference between the in-phase terminal and the inverting terminal of the amplifier, so the output voltage of the operational amplifier decreases, and the conduction of Q1 decreases until the terminal voltage of R1 is equal to VREF. At this time, the current flowing through Q1 is If VREF=1V, R1=1Ω, the current flowing through the power MOS tube is constant at 1A.

[0034] Preferably, the transient characteristics simulator simulates the surge current at the moment when the drain switch of the T / R component is turned on according to the charging of the switch capacitor.

[0035] Specifically, Figure 2 As shown, the transient characteristics simulator includes a half-bridge drive circuit, a high-side switch, a low-side switch, and a capacitor. A control pulse is input to the input end of the half-bridge drive circuit. Two output ends of the half-bridge drive circuit are respectively connected to the gates of the high-side switch and the low-side switch. The source of the high-side switch inputs current. The drain of the high-side switch is connected to the source of the low-side switch. The drain of the low-side switch is grounded. One end of the capacitor is connected between the drain of the high-side switch and the source of the low-side switch. The other end of the capacitor is grounded. The high-side switch and the low-side switch are depletion-type N-channel tubes.

[0036] The transient characteristics simulator works by controlling the pulse to simulate the drain power pre-adjustment pulse of the T / R component. When the pulse controls the high-side switch of the half-bridge to open and the bottom-side switch to close, the flow direction of the current inside the capacitor is I1, which is the capacitor charging at this time, and a surge is generated to simulate the drain current surge when the T / R component amplifier is turned on. When the pulse controls the T / R component to close, the high-side switch of the half-bridge is closed, the bottom-side switch is opened, and the current flow direction inside the capacitor is I2. This state can achieve rapid discharge of the charge inside the capacitor and prepare for the next switch in advance.

[0037] The design idea of ​​the transient characteristics simulator is as follows:

[0038] In conventional power supply design, due to the existence of load capacitance, at the moment the power input switch is turned on, the energy storage capacitor inside the load needs to be charged. From the perspective of circuit transient characteristics, at the moment the switch is turned on, the capacitor is equivalent to a short circuit to the ground. The relationship between the generated current size, capacitance size, and voltage change rate can be expressed by the following formula:

[0039]

[0040] From the above formula, we can see that capacitive load can generate surge current at the moment of switching, and the magnitude of the current mainly depends on the size of the load capacitance and the rate of change of the load voltage. Since the ideal formula ignores the parasitic resistance and parasitic inductance of the capacitor, the maximum current surge value that can be generated by the actual capacitive load will be smaller than the actual calculated value.

[0041] In conventional power supply design, surge current is harmful to both the power supply system and the load system, so certain measures need to be taken, such as adding a slow-start circuit to extend the startup time of the circuit and reduce the surge current. For the "XX Radar Power Supply Physical Analysis and Verification System", the characteristics of switching capacitor charging can be used to simulate the surge current at the moment when the drain switch of the T / R component is turned on, thereby accurately simulating the working state of the T / R component.

[0042] From the above formula, we can know that the main factor affecting the size of the surge current is the rate of change of voltage, which is reflected in the switching speed of the switch in the actual circuit. Therefore, it is necessary to select a MOS tube with a fast enough switching speed. The switching speed of conventional MOS tubes is within 100ns. The fast switching MOS tube can control the switching speed within 10ns. The ESR of the MOS tube is also a key factor. When the withstand voltage meets the requirements, a MOS tube with the lowest possible ESR should be selected. In the actual selection, the MOS tube switching speed selected in the drain power modulation circuit inside the T / R component can be used for reference.

[0043] Another influencing factor is the parasitic resistance of the capacitor and the inductance of the routing path. Therefore, in the actual component selection, by choosing suitable capacitors such as ceramic capacitors, which have lower ESR than tantalum capacitors and aluminum electrolytic capacitors, they are more suitable as load capacitors.

[0044] The determination of the capacitance can also refer to the design of the internal power supply circuit of the T / R component. Generally, the capacitance after the drain switch inside the T / R component is about 100pF to 1000pF. In addition, the parasitic capacitance of the RF amplifier needs to be considered. The parasitic capacitance of the amplifier is generally not too large. It is generally in the range of a few pF to tens of pF according to the package size. At the same time, in order to consider the characteristics of continuous high-frequency operation of the T / R component, the drain switch adopts the H-bridge form. When the high-side switch is turned on, the bottom switch is turned off, which can quickly charge the capacitor to generate sufficient surge current. When the power part is turned off, the bottom switch is turned on and the high-side switch is turned off, which is equivalent to a short circuit of the capacitor to the ground, which can achieve rapid discharge of the capacitor and prepare for the next turn-on in advance.

[0045] Preferably, it also includes an energy storage capacitor switch matrix, which simulates the energy storage capacitor inside the T / R power distribution board. The purpose of using the switch capacitor matrix is ​​to quickly select different capacitor values ​​and combinations of capacitor values ​​through software selection, which can help optimize the energy storage capacitor design of the power distribution board and facilitate and quickly conduct experimental verification, and finally find a balance between the performance and size of the energy storage capacitor.

[0046] The development of phased array radars has put forward higher requirements on the power supply quality of the power supply system, especially the more diversified radar working modes and more complex working characteristics of the array emission. The transmission cable inductance and power supply internal resistance of the phased array radar array power distribution network will affect the working performance of the phased array radar T / R components. The problem caused by pulse loads is mainly because the capacity of the power supply is limited, so the pulse load will have an impact on the power supply system with limited capacity, which is ultimately reflected in the drain voltage fluctuation of the T / R component RF power amplifier. Therefore, the phased array radar T / R components require a special power distribution board to provide them with a low parasitic inductance and low internal resistance power distribution network.

[0047] Specifically, Figure 3As shown, the energy storage capacitor switch matrix includes a number of energy storage capacitors and a number of electronically controlled switches. The energy storage capacitors are divided into a number of groups according to different capacitance values. Each group of energy storage capacitors is connected to an electronically controlled switch, and the electronically controlled switches are controlled to open and close by the host computer. When the T / R power distribution board is rapidly prototyped, various combinations of tests can be carried out very conveniently and quickly. When the maximum capacitance range of the energy storage capacitor does not meet the verification requirements, a pluggable and replaceable capacitor plate is reserved inside the load simulation, and a self-designed capacitor plate can be inserted into the load module to achieve a more flexible and wide capacitance adjustment range.

[0048] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A radar high dynamic power supply test load, characterized in that: It includes a transient characteristic simulator and a steady-state characteristic simulator, wherein the transient characteristic simulator simulates the transient surge current at the moment when the T / R component is turned on, and the steady-state characteristic simulator simulates the steady-state power consumption of the T / R component during steady-state operation; The transient characteristics simulator simulates the surge current at the moment when the drain switch of the T / R component is turned on according to the charging of the switch capacitor; The transient characteristics simulator comprises a half-bridge drive circuit, a high-side switch, a low-side switch, and a capacitor, wherein a control pulse is input to an input end of the half-bridge drive circuit, two output ends of the half-bridge drive circuit are respectively connected to the gates of the high-side switch and the low-side switch, a current is input to the source of the high-side switch, a drain of the high-side switch is connected to the source of the low-side switch, a drain of the low-side switch is grounded, one end of the capacitor is connected between the drain of the high-side switch and the source of the low-side switch, and the other end of the capacitor is grounded; The steady-state characteristic simulator controls the resistance value according to the set current value to output a constant current value to absorb current from the power supply. The steady-state characteristic simulator includes an operational amplifier, a power MOS tube, and a sampling resistor. The positive pin of the operational amplifier inputs a given voltage value, the output end of the operational amplifier is connected to a resistor and then connected to the gate of the power MOS tube, the source of the power MOS tube is connected to a voltage source to be measured, the drain of the power MOS tube is connected to the sampling resistor and then grounded, and the negative pin of the operational amplifier is connected between the sampling resistor and the drain of the power MOS tube.

2. A radar high dynamic power supply test load according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power MOS tube is a depletion-type P-channel tube.

3. The radar high dynamic power supply test load according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-side switch and the low-side switch are depletion-type N-channel transistors.

4. The radar high dynamic power supply test load according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an energy storage capacitor switch matrix, which simulates the energy storage capacitor inside the T / R power distribution board.

5. A radar high dynamic power supply test load according to claim 4, characterized in that: The energy storage capacitor switch matrix includes a plurality of energy storage capacitors and a plurality of electrically controlled switches. The energy storage capacitors are divided into a plurality of groups according to different capacitance values. Each group of energy storage capacitors is connected to an electrically controlled switch, and the electrically controlled switches are controlled to open and close by a host computer.

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