An integrated electromagnetic signal excitation and detection system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated electromagnetic signal excitation and detection system, which belongs to the field of electromagnetic measurement and detection. The device under test is connected to an external test interface, and the broadband radio frequency signal output by the device under test is input into an attenuator and a power meter card through the external test interface. The attenuator attenuates the input signal, and the signal is input into a main control unit through a radio frequency switch component and a PXI backplane, and the power meter card inputs the signal into the main control unit through the PXI backplane; after the PXI card analyzes and tests the input signal, the electromagnetic signal output amplitude is adjusted through a programmable attenuator component, and the power radiation card provides a power amplification function for the output electromagnetic signal and radiates through an antenna, and the main control unit is connected to a host computer control unit through a network, and an instruction is issued through the host computer control unit to complete the detection of the electromagnetic signal of the device under test. The present invention is easy to maintain and upgrade, and the system can be quickly reconfigured according to different test requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electromagnetic measurement and detection, and in particular to an integrated electromagnetic signal excitation and detection system. Background Art

[0002] The traditional electromagnetic signal excitation and detection system consists of two parts: a cabinet test system and an independent instrument test system. All test equipment of the cabinet test system and the independent instrument test system are integrated into a cabinet for easy management and maintenance. In addition, since it is fixed in one position, the risk of interference and equipment damage caused by movement is reduced, which is more convenient for indoor use and suitable for use in laboratories or fixed test environments. It can provide a stable test environment and power supply.

[0003] However, the cabinet structure of the existing detection system is usually large in size and heavy in weight, which is not suitable for frequent movement or outdoor use. Once the configuration is completed, it is difficult to change the test configuration or upgrade the equipment. In addition, the traditional detection system is complicated to operate, and when multiple instruments need to be used in combination, more settings and calibration work are required; the stability is relatively poor, because the equipment needs to be moved frequently, it will be affected by more external factors; and the integration is not high, and the operation is extremely inconvenient. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide an integrated electromagnetic signal excitation and detection system to solve the deficiencies of the prior art.

[0005] The object of the present invention is achieved by the following technical solutions: an integrated electromagnetic signal excitation and detection system, the system comprising a host computer control unit, a main control unit, a PXI backplane, a PXI board, a radio frequency switch assembly, an attenuator, a noise source board, a power meter board, a programmable attenuator assembly, a power radiation board and a power module;

[0006] The device under test is connected to the external test interface, and the signal output by the device under test is input to the attenuator and the power meter board through the external test interface. After the attenuator attenuates the input signal to meet the input signal amplitude range of the main control unit, the signal is input to the main control unit through the RF switch component and the PXI backplane, and the power meter board inputs the signal to the main control unit through the PXI backplane; after the PXI board analyzes and tests the input signal, the electromagnetic signal output amplitude is adjusted through the programmable attenuator component. The power radiation board serves as a radiation device for signal generation, provides power amplification function for the output electromagnetic signal and radiates through the antenna. The main control unit controls the PXI board through the PXI backplane, and is connected to the host computer control unit through the network. The host computer control unit sends instructions to complete the detection of the electromagnetic signal of the device under test;

[0007] The noise source board is combined with the PXI board and the test / configuration software installed in the main control unit to perform noise testing on the device under test, and the power supply module is used for power supply.

[0008] The PXI board includes a vector signal analysis board and two vector signal generation boards; the vector signal generation board generates various analog, modulation and other special electromagnetic signals required by the project and has arbitrary waveform editing function, as well as sensitivity testing of multiple signals.

[0009] The vector signal analysis board includes a mechanical attenuator module, a microwave frequency conversion module, a radio frequency frequency conversion module, an analog intermediate frequency module, a digital intermediate frequency module, a frequency tracking module, a reference module and a control module;

[0010] The mechanical attenuator module adjusts the amplitude of the input signal, allowing the input signal to enter the system with an optimal amplitude for signal analysis;

[0011] The microwave frequency conversion module, the radio frequency conversion module and the analog intermediate frequency module convert the 1MHz to 40GHz broadband radio frequency signal output by the device under test into an analog intermediate frequency signal that can be processed by the digital intermediate frequency module, and perform spurious suppression and link amplitude adjustment at the same time;

[0012] The digital intermediate frequency module realizes analog-to-digital conversion and logic processing, converting the analog intermediate frequency signal into digital information that can be displayed by the software;

[0013] The frequency tracking module is used to generate the local oscillator signal required by the radio frequency conversion module;

[0014] The reference module is used to provide the necessary clock signal for the system;

[0015] The control module controls the mechanical attenuator module, the microwave frequency conversion module, the radio frequency frequency conversion module, the analog intermediate frequency module, the digital intermediate frequency module, the frequency tracking module and the reference module.

[0016] The vector signal generation board includes a baseband module, a local oscillator module and a channel module which are all connected to the PXI backplane through a control bus; the baseband module realizes broadband modulation signal generation, small step amplitude adjustment and frequency adjustment, and outputs two independent baseband signals, which are respectively sent to the up-conversion channels of the two vector signal generation boards for mixing, and finally obtain two independent vector signal generation board outputs;

[0017] The local oscillator module provides a sampling clock and a device clock for the baseband module, and also provides a local oscillator clock for the channel module;

[0018] The channel module realizes signal frequency conversion, filtering and power adjustment.

[0019] The test tasks of the system include air interface test and connection test; the air interface test includes electromagnetic power level test, electromagnetic excitation function and power test, direction finding function and performance test and direction finding calibration test; the connection test includes receiving system sensitivity test, signal spectrum phase noise and spurious test, alarm system sensitivity test, frequency measurement accuracy test, radio frequency spectrum test and discrete signal test.

[0020] The air interface test comprises the following steps:

[0021] Determine test boundaries: Determine the boundaries of the test configuration by the size and shape of the test site;

[0022] Select radiation orientation: Select the front, back, left side and right side of the device under test for radiation testing;

[0023] 360° circumference radiation: radiation is carried out within a 360° circumference on the vertical plane to ensure that the device under test is radiated in all directions;

[0024] Determine the number of power radiation positions: Use the formula N =[ D / M] Calculate the number of power radiation positions to ensure that the power radiation positions are evenly distributed within the test boundary, and round the calculated results to ensure that there are enough radiation positions to cover the entire test area. D is the distance between the two edges of the test boundary, and M is the recommended distance between the antenna and the test boundary.

[0025] The present invention has the following advantages: an integrated electromagnetic signal excitation and detection system is easy to maintain and upgrade, and the system can be quickly reconfigured according to different test requirements; each function can work independently through unitized design while maintaining compatibility with other units to achieve efficient collaborative work of multi-functional integration; it can facilitate users to quickly deploy and use in various occasions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the principle structure of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the principle structure of the vector signal generation board;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the principle structure of the power radiation board. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical scheme in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present application described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided below in conjunction with the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the application claimed for protection, but merely represents the selected embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative work belong to the scope of protection of the present application. The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the drawings.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention specifically relates to an integrated electromagnetic signal excitation and detection system, which includes a host computer control unit, a main control unit, a PXI backplane, a PXI board, a radio frequency switch component, an attenuator (40G high-power attenuator and 18G programmable attenuator), a noise source board, a power meter board, a programmable attenuator component, a power radiation board and a power supply module; the main control unit exchanges data with the host computer control unit through a network, completes parameter settings of the main control unit, the high-power attenuator and the programmable attenuator through SCPI instructions, starts a test task, and displays the results and data of various indicators, parameters, and task detection.

[0031] Furthermore, the device under test is connected to an external test interface, and the signal output by the device under test is input into the attenuator and the power meter board through the external test interface. After the attenuator attenuates the input signal to an input signal amplitude range that meets the input signal amplitude range of the main control unit, the signal is input into the main control unit through the radio frequency switch component and the PXI backplane, and at the same time, the power meter board inputs the signal into the main control unit through the PXI backplane; after the PXI board analyzes and tests the input signal, the electromagnetic signal output amplitude is adjusted through the programmable attenuator component; the power radiation board serves as a radiation device for signal generation, provides power amplification function for the output electromagnetic signal and radiates through the antenna; the main control unit controls the PXI board through the PXI backplane, and is connected to the host computer control unit through the network, and sends instructions through the host computer control unit to complete the detection of the electromagnetic signal of the device under test; the noise source board combines the PXI board and the test / configuration software installed in the main control unit to perform noise testing on the device under test.

[0032] The main control unit is installed with test / configuration software for various test equipment, which controls and configures each functional module and realizes the test function at the same time. The main control unit communicates with the outside world through the network, and external devices can access and control the test host and various external units through the network.

[0033] The power module is an AC (DC)-DC power module with sufficient power margin to meet the power and temperature requirements of the equipment. At the same time, the power input is equipped with a surge protector and a power filter, which can cope with various harsh power supply environments and protect the stable operation of the equipment.

[0034] The test tasks of the present invention include air interface test and connection test. The air interface test includes electromagnetic power level test, electromagnetic excitation function and power test, direction finding function and performance test and direction finding calibration test; the connection test includes receiving system sensitivity test, signal spectrum phase noise and spurious test, alarm system sensitivity test, frequency measurement accuracy test, radio frequency spectrum test and discrete signal test.

[0035] Furthermore, the air interface test includes the following steps:

[0036] Determine test boundaries: Determine the boundaries of the test configuration by the size and shape of the test site;

[0037] Select radiation orientation: Select the front, back, left side and right side of the device under test for radiation testing;

[0038] 360° circumference radiation: radiation is carried out within a 360° circumference on the vertical plane to ensure that the device under test is radiated in all directions;

[0039] Determine the number of power radiation positions: Use the formula N =[ D / M] Calculate the number of power radiation positions to ensure that the power radiation positions are evenly distributed within the test boundary, and round the calculated result to ensure that there are enough radiation positions to cover the entire test area. D is the distance between the two edges of the test boundary, and M is the recommended distance between the antenna and the test boundary. In actual operation, it is necessary to determine the specific distance between the antenna and the test boundary, as well as the specific location of the antenna in the site according to the specific conditions of the test site and the size of the device under test.

[0040] The connection test is mainly carried out through the multi-channel vector signal generation board and vector signal analysis board in the present invention, combined with an external noise source board and a power meter board, to customize automated test tasks according to different test requirements. By manually connecting the corresponding interfaces, device interfaces, etc., the corresponding injection and receiving test tasks can be automatically completed with one click.

[0041] Furthermore, the PXI board includes a vector signal analysis board and two-way vector signal generation boards. The vector signal analysis board is implemented using a superheterodyne receiver solution, and its interior mainly includes: a mechanical attenuator module, a microwave frequency conversion module, a radio frequency frequency conversion module, an analog intermediate frequency module, a digital intermediate frequency module, a frequency tracking module, a reference module, and a control module for controlling each module.

[0042] Among them, the mechanical attenuator module mainly adjusts the amplitude of the input signal, allowing the input signal to enter the analyzer system with the optimal amplitude, ensuring that the analyzer can analyze the signal in the best state.

[0043] Microwave frequency conversion module, RF frequency conversion module and analog intermediate frequency module: mainly convert the 1MHz~40GHz broadband RF signal output by the device under test into an analog intermediate frequency signal that can be processed by a digital intermediate frequency module. At the same time, these modules perform necessary spurious suppression and link amplitude adjustment to optimize system performance.

[0044] Digital IF module: realizes analog-to-digital conversion and logic processing, and converts analog IF signals into digital information that can be displayed by software.

[0045] Frequency tracking module: generates the local oscillator signal required by the RF frequency conversion module. Reference module: provides the necessary clock signal for the system.

[0046] RF-related modules are mainly built up of important RF components such as filters, amplifiers, attenuators, mixers, switches, etc. Filters are mainly used to filter out system spurious and external interference spurious signals. At the same time, filters also assist digital intermediate frequency processing to complete the selection of analysis bandwidth; amplifiers and attenuators are the main components for system link gain control; mixers are used to convert broadband frequency signals into analog intermediate frequency signals that can be processed by lower-frequency digital intermediate frequencies; switches are used to switch between different RF channels.

[0047] The microwave frequency conversion module and the radio frequency frequency conversion module convert broadband radio frequency signals into wide- and narrow-band analog intermediate frequency signals through the frequency conversion circuit composed of these radio frequency devices. The analog intermediate frequency module performs necessary conditioning on the amplitude of the signal, selects the bandwidth of the signal, and then sends it to the receiving digital intermediate frequency processing module.

[0048] The digital intermediate frequency processing module converts the analog intermediate frequency signal into a digital signal using an analog-to-digital converter. The analog-to-digital converter uses a sampling frequency of 100MHz to achieve signal analysis with a maximum bandwidth of 20MHz. The digital intermediate frequency signal is processed by logic and algorithms through a programmable logic device (FPGA), and then the digitized information is sent to the monitoring main control unit through a high-speed connector.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the vector signal generation board mainly generates various stimulus signals required for the test. It uses broadband modulator technology to achieve broadband mixing within the 40GHz range. The vector signal generation board is mainly composed of a baseband module, a local oscillator module and a channel module. The channel module consists of two modules: 2GHz~18GHz and 18~40GHz. Both are connected to the main control unit through the PXI backplane control bus.

[0050] The baseband module adopts the hardware architecture of FPGA+DAC, which mainly realizes the functions of broadband modulation signal generation, small step amplitude adjustment, small step frequency adjustment, etc. The baseband module supports the generation of baseband signals by internal data source and external baseband data input; the baseband module outputs two independent baseband signals, which are sent to the up-conversion channels of two vector signal generation boards for mixing, and finally obtain two independent vector signal generation board outputs.

[0051] The local oscillator module provides the sampling clock CLK and device clock for the baseband module, and also provides the local oscillator clock LO for the channel module. The clock signal and local oscillator signal generated by this module directly determine the phase noise and frequency accuracy performance of the final output signal; the channel module is the signal conditioning channel, which mainly realizes functions such as signal frequency conversion, filtering, and power adjustment, and plays a decisive role in signal power, harmonics, and spurious indicators.

[0052] The main control unit includes a PXI main control board, which converts digital information into images or data that can be recognized by users and provides them to users through interfaces or data cables to meet their needs; at the same time, it transmits customer needs to each module through the interface to meet customer needs. It mainly provides computing for data applications, hardware support for interfaces, and meets the deployment of data application software. The main control unit uses the PXIE-4880 main controller, which can be configured with an I7-6820HQ processor at most, with strong performance to meet the system's resource requirements.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the power radiation board is divided into five frequency bands: 1MHz~1GHz, 1GHz~4GHz, 2GHz~18GHz, 18GHz~28GHz, and 28GHz~40GHz. Each power amplifier is composed of a power supply circuit, a timing protection circuit, a communication circuit, a microwave drive component, a microwave power component, a power divider / synthesizer component, a detection component, a voltage and current detection component, and a shared air-cooled heat dissipation system.

[0054] The external power supply is powered on to the measurement, control, communication and DC / DC components after passing through the voltage and current detection components. The gate voltages of the microwave drive components and microwave power components are all added. After the positive voltage passes through the timing comparison circuit, it is powered on to the timing protection component. After the transmission signal is added, the timing protection component is turned on, and the leakage voltages of the microwave drive components and microwave power components are all added. The corresponding static current can be observed, and the RF input signal of the power amplifier is turned on. At this time, the output signal can be detected at the output end of the power amplifier, and the output signal power can be adjusted by adjusting the digital control attenuation. In this control working mode, the self-protection function of the power amplifier is also effective. Once overvoltage, overcurrent, over-reflection and other conditions are detected, the power amplifier will automatically cut off the power supply of all components after the measurement, control and communication components. The measurement, control and communication components automatically store fault information. After the fault is eliminated, it can be powered on again to work normally.

[0055] Furthermore, the antenna design includes a monopole antenna for 1MHz to 1000MHz, a Vivaldi array antenna for 1000MHz to 4000MHz and 2 to 18GHz, and a horn antenna for 18GHz to 28GHz and 28GHz to 40GHz, for a total of 5 antennas.

[0056] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the form disclosed herein, and should not be regarded as excluding other embodiments, but can be used for various other combinations, modifications and improvements, and can be modified within the scope of the concept described herein through the above teachings or the technology or knowledge of the relevant field. The changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art do not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and should be within the scope of protection of the claims attached to the present invention.

Claims

1. An integrated electromagnetic signal excitation and detection system, characterized in that: The system includes a host computer control unit, a main control unit, a PXI backplane, a PXI board, a radio frequency switch component, an attenuator, a noise source board, a power meter board, a programmable attenuator component, a power radiation board and a power module; The device under test is connected to the external test interface, and the signal output by the device under test is input to the attenuator and the power meter board through the external test interface. After the attenuator attenuates the input signal to meet the input signal amplitude range of the main control unit, the signal is input to the main control unit through the RF switch component and the PXI backplane, and the power meter board inputs the signal to the main control unit through the PXI backplane; after the PXI board analyzes and tests the input signal, the electromagnetic signal output amplitude is adjusted through the programmable attenuator component. The power radiation board serves as a radiation device for signal generation, provides power amplification function for the output electromagnetic signal and radiates through the antenna. The main control unit controls the PXI board through the PXI backplane, and is connected to the host computer control unit through the network. The host computer control unit sends instructions to complete the detection of the electromagnetic signal of the device under test; The noise source board is combined with the PXI board and the test / configuration software installed in the main control unit to perform noise testing on the device under test, and the power supply module is used for power supply; The PXI board includes a vector signal analysis board and two vector signal generation boards; the vector signal generation board generates various analog and modulated electromagnetic signals required by the project and has an arbitrary waveform editing function, while realizing sensitivity testing of multiple signals.

2. The integrated electromagnetic signal excitation and detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vector signal analysis board includes a mechanical attenuator module, a microwave frequency conversion module, a radio frequency frequency conversion module, an analog intermediate frequency module, a digital intermediate frequency module, a frequency tracking module, a reference module and a control module; The mechanical attenuator module adjusts the amplitude of the input signal, allowing the input signal to enter the system with an optimal amplitude for signal analysis; The microwave frequency conversion module, the radio frequency conversion module and the analog intermediate frequency module convert the 1MHz to 40GHz broadband radio frequency signal output by the device under test into an analog intermediate frequency signal that can be processed by the digital intermediate frequency module, and perform spurious suppression and link amplitude adjustment at the same time; The digital intermediate frequency module realizes analog-to-digital conversion and logic processing, converting the analog intermediate frequency signal into digital information that can be displayed by the software; The frequency tracking module is used to generate the local oscillator signal required by the radio frequency conversion module; The reference module is used to provide a clock signal for the system; The control module controls the mechanical attenuator module, the microwave frequency conversion module, the radio frequency frequency conversion module, the analog intermediate frequency module, the digital intermediate frequency module, the frequency tracking module and the reference module.

3. The integrated electromagnetic signal excitation and detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vector signal generation board includes a baseband module, a local oscillator module and a channel module which are all connected to the PXI backplane through a control bus; the baseband module realizes broadband modulation signal generation, small step amplitude adjustment and frequency adjustment, and outputs two independent baseband signals, which are respectively sent to the up-conversion channels of the two vector signal generation boards for mixing, and finally obtain two independent vector signal generation board outputs; The local oscillator module provides a sampling clock and a device clock for the baseband module, and also provides a local oscillator clock for the channel module; The channel module realizes signal frequency conversion, filtering and power adjustment.

4. The integrated electromagnetic signal excitation and detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The test tasks of the system include air interface test and connection test; the air interface test includes electromagnetic power level test, electromagnetic excitation function and power test, direction finding function and performance test and direction finding calibration test; the connection test includes receiving system sensitivity test, signal spectrum phase noise and spurious test, alarm system sensitivity test, frequency measurement accuracy test, radio frequency spectrum test and discrete signal test.

5. The integrated electromagnetic signal excitation and detection system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The air interface test comprises the following steps: Determine test boundaries: Determine the boundaries of the test configuration by the size and shape of the test site; Select radiation orientation: Select the front, back, left side and right side of the device under test for radiation testing; 360° circumference radiation: radiation is carried out within a 360° circumference on the vertical plane to ensure that the device under test is radiated in all directions; Determine the number of power radiation positions: Use the formula N =[ D / M] Calculate the number of power radiation positions to ensure that the power radiation positions are evenly distributed within the test boundary, and round the calculated results to ensure that there are enough radiation positions to cover the entire test area. D is the distance between the two edges of the test boundary, and M is the recommended distance between the antenna and the test boundary.

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