Antenna coupler and method for in-situ test of airborne radar alarm equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses an antenna coupler and method for in-situ testing of airborne radar alarm equipment, and relates to the technical field of airborne electronic countermeasure equipment tests.The antenna coupler comprises an electromagnetic shielding cover, and the electromagnetic shielding cover comprises a wave absorbing module, an electromagnetic leakproof edge strip, a cast rubber handle and a broadband radiator; the wave absorbing module is installed in the electromagnetic shielding cover, and the electromagnetic leakage-proof edge strips are installed at the peripheral edge positions of the electromagnetic shielding cover. According to the antenna coupler, the electromagnetic shielding cover is in the shape of a profiling body structure of an airborne radar alarm equipment antenna, the sealing and clamping functions of the electromagnetic leakage-proof edge strips and the electromagnetic wave absorption function of the wave-absorbing material are combined, it is ensured that the airborne antenna is tightly and completely wrapped after the antenna coupler is installed, and external interference electromagnetic signals are shielded; and leakage of internal electromagnetic signals is avoided, and only the test signals are coupled to a receiving antenna of the airborne radar alarm equipment, so that the test precision is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of airborne electronic countermeasure equipment testing, and in particular to an antenna coupler and a method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment. Background Art

[0002] Airborne radar warning equipment is an important autonomous means for combat aircraft to detect the enemy first and preserve themselves. Its functions and performance status are directly related to the combat effectiveness. Therefore, the testing and support work of airborne radar warning equipment is very important. The testing principles of different types of airborne radar warning equipment are basically the same. They mainly use signal sources or radar signal simulators to synthesize specific forms of test signals, and transmit the signals to the airborne radar warning equipment by injection or radiation. Finally, the test results are obtained in combination with the signal reception of the airborne radar warning equipment. The following problems exist in the existing technology: Because existing airborne radar warning equipment tests usually include signal gun irradiation method, in-situ injection test method and off-situ test method.

[0003] The signal gun irradiation method uses a radar signal simulation gun to directly illuminate the receiving antenna to detect radar warning equipment. This method is simple and easy to operate, but it is affected by a large number of electromagnetic interference signals in the airport environment, which often leads to low test accuracy, weak measured functions and performance indicators, and is difficult to reflect the true status of airborne radar warning equipment. The in-situ injection test method requires the removal of the aircraft shell and receiving antenna, and the direct injection of the signal into the receiving channel of the radar warning device through the cable. This method can accurately measure the function and performance indicators of the radar warning device, but since the signal does not pass through the receiving antenna, the integrity of the receiving antenna cannot be guaranteed. In addition, the disassembly and assembly work requires a lot of time and manpower, and frequent disassembly and assembly may also cause damage to the airborne equipment. The first two methods are both in-situ tests. The off-situ test method is to remove the airborne radar warning equipment from the aircraft and test it separately. It has higher accuracy and is suitable for scheduled inspections of extensions and inspections after repair of faulty parts. However, this method can only test the functions and performance indicators of the extension itself, and cannot ensure the normal operation of the system after the extension is installed on the aircraft and the normal interaction with other systems. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides an antenna coupler and method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment to solve the problems raised in the above background technology.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: An antenna coupler for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment, comprising an electromagnetic shielding cover, the electromagnetic shielding cover comprising an absorbing module, an electromagnetic anti-leakage edge strip, a cast rubber handle, and a broadband radiator, the absorbing module being installed inside the electromagnetic shielding cover, the electromagnetic anti-leakage edge strip being installed at the four peripheral edges of the electromagnetic shielding cover, the cast rubber handle being installed on two side surfaces outside the electromagnetic shielding cover, the broadband radiator being installed inside the electromagnetic shielding cover, and the SMA / k microwave connection port of the broadband radiator being installed on a panel on the outer surface of the electromagnetic shielding cover; The electromagnetic shielding cover is a contoured structure of the airborne radar warning equipment antenna and is the main structural component of the coupler. The installation of the coupler does not change any components on the aircraft body, and the airborne antenna is tightly and completely covered to shield external electromagnetic signals. The shielding isolation is ≥25dB. The shell structure of the electromagnetic shielding cover is integral, and the base layer anti-corrosion treatment adopts galvanizing and coating protection.

[0006] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention is that the airborne antenna is a wing-shaped body structure.

[0007] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention is that the absorbing module and the absorbing cavity are foamed and molded with ultrafine ferrite absorbing material, and then cut and processed into a designed inner cavity. The microwave radio frequency cavity is trumpet-shaped, and the shape matches the aperture of the broadband radiator.

[0008] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention is that the electromagnetic anti-leakage edge strip includes an elastic absorbing rubber, an elastic absorbing rubber sealing ring, and an elastic iron sheet. The elastic absorbing rubber and the elastic absorbing rubber sealing ring are manufactured by a one-time molding process of a flexible absorbing material. The elastic absorbing rubber is located on the top of the elastic absorbing rubber sealing ring. The elastic iron sheet is embedded and fixedly installed in the elastic absorbing rubber sealing ring. The elastic O-ring part of the elastic absorbing rubber plays a sealing role. The elastic iron sheet has an installation and clamping function, which can realize antenna coupling installation, positioning, clamping and electromagnetic leakage prevention.

[0009] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention is that the broadband radiator includes a mounting base, an SMA interface, a flexible microwave cable, four coupling adjustment columns, and a microstrip helical antenna. The SMA interface and the four coupling adjustment columns are directly mounted on the mounting base, and the microstrip helical antenna is mounted on the four coupling adjustment columns and connected to the SMA interface through a flexible microwave cable. Since the flexible microwave cable has a certain degree of scalability, a coupling adjustment column of a suitable length can be selected according to the coupling requirements to adjust the position of the microstrip helical antenna.

[0010] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention is that the microstrip helical antenna is designed using the Archimedean helical antenna principle, the output interface is in the form of an SMA / k microwave connector, and the impedance is fifty ohms.

[0011] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention is that the broadband radiator is a broadband circularly polarized radiation unit with a frequency range of 2 to 18 GHz, a voltage standing wave ratio within the frequency band of ≤1.5, and a coupling degree of ≤25 dB.

[0012] A method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment comprises the following steps: S1: The antenna coupler is installed on the outside of the radome of the airborne radar warning equipment of a certain type of aircraft. The center line A of the airborne antenna cover is used as the horizontal orientation reference. The shielding device is manually moved left and right to align the center line of the antenna cover. The front eaves contour surface of the wing is used as the positioning reference B. The device is horizontally fitted on the front eaves contour surface of the wing and the position is kept stable by using reasonable matching gaps and the elastic force of the sealing edge strips. S2: Connect the output of the signal source or radar signal simulator to the SMA / k microwave connector on the external panel of the electromagnetic shield through a cable; S3: Set the parameters of the signal source or radar signal simulator synthesized signal according to the test items and output the signal; S4: Combined with the observed airborne radar warning equipment detection results, adjust the parameters of the signal source or radar signal simulator synthesized signal, and comprehensively analyze the test signal parameters, airborne radar warning equipment profile index requirements and detection results to obtain the test results.

[0013] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the present invention has the following technical advances compared with the prior art: The present invention provides an antenna coupler and method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment. The electromagnetic shielding cover is in the shape of a contoured body structure of the airborne radar warning equipment antenna, and the sealing and clamping function of the electromagnetic leakage prevention edge strip and the electromagnetic wave absorption function of the wave-absorbing material are combined to ensure that the airborne antenna is tightly and completely covered by the antenna coupler after installation, so that not only the external electromagnetic interference signal is shielded, but also the leakage of the internal electromagnetic signal is avoided, and only the test signal is coupled to the receiving antenna of the airborne radar warning equipment, thereby improving the test accuracy.

[0014] The present invention provides an antenna coupler and method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment, which can test the airborne radar warning equipment without disassembling aircraft parts, has simple operation, improves testing efficiency, and saves manpower and time costs.

[0015] The present invention provides an antenna coupler and method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment. The in-situ testing is performed by antenna coupling, which can not only test the functional performance status of the airborne radar warning equipment itself, but also verify the interaction and working conditions between the airborne radar warning equipment and various subsystems after being installed on the aircraft, thereby realizing the testing requirements at the system level. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the antenna coupler of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a flow chart of the in-situ test of the airborne radar warning device of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 The electromagnetic shielding cover cavity-shaped wave absorbing module of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the broadband radiator of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the electromagnetic leakage prevention edge strip of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a geometric structure diagram of the microstrip helical antenna of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the simulation of electromagnetic field spatial radiation of the microstrip helical antenna of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 8 VSWR parameter simulation results of the microstrip helical antenna of the present invention.

[0024] Fig. 9 Parameter simulation results of the microstrip helical antenna S11 of the present invention.

[0025] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing the spatial electromagnetic field simulation effect of the antenna coupler model of the present invention.

[0026] Fig.11 This is a simulation result diagram of the coupling degree S21 of the antenna coupler of the present invention.

[0027] Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram of the top view of the reference position of the present invention.

[0028] Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of the installation process of the present invention.

[0029] Fig.14 This is the in-situ test connection diagram of the present invention.

[0030] In the figure: 1. Electromagnetic shielding cover; 2. Absorbing module; 3. Electromagnetic anti-leakage edge strip; 31. Elastic absorbing rubber; 32. Elastic absorbing rubber sealing ring; 33. Elastic iron sheet; 4. Cast rubber handle; 5. Broadband radiator; 51. Mounting base; 52. SMA interface; 53. Flexible microwave cable; 54. Coupling adjustment column; 55. Microstrip helical antenna. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with embodiments:

[0032] Example 1 like Figure 1-14 As shown, the present invention provides an antenna coupler for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment, comprising an electromagnetic shielding cover 1, the electromagnetic shielding cover 1 comprising an absorbing module 2, an electromagnetic anti-leakage edge strip 3, a cast rubber handle 4, and a broadband radiator 5, the absorbing module 2 is installed inside the electromagnetic shielding cover 1, the electromagnetic anti-leakage edge strip 3 is installed at the four peripheral edges of the electromagnetic shielding cover 1, the cast rubber handle 4 is installed on two side surfaces outside the electromagnetic shielding cover 1, so that it is convenient for operators to lift and install the antenna coupler on the escalator next to the aircraft, the broadband radiator 5 is installed inside the electromagnetic shielding cover 1, and the SMA / k microwave connection port of the broadband radiator 5 is installed on the panel on the outer surface of the electromagnetic shielding cover 1, the electromagnetic shielding cover 1 is a contoured structure of the antenna of the airborne radar warning equipment, and is the main structural part of the coupler, the installation of the coupler does not change any component on the aircraft body, and the airborne antenna is tightly and completely covered to shield external electromagnetic signals, and the shielding isolation is ≥25dB, the shell structure of the electromagnetic shielding cover 1 is an integral type, the base layer anti-corrosion treatment adopts galvanizing and coating layer protection, and the airborne antenna is a wing contoured structure.

[0033] Example 2 like Figure 1-14 As shown, on the basis of Example 1, the present invention provides a technical solution: preferably, the absorbing module 2 and the absorbing cavity are foamed and molded by ultrafine ferrite absorbing material, and then cut and processed into a designed inner cavity, the microwave radio frequency cavity is horn-shaped, and the shape matches the caliber of the broadband radiator 5, the electromagnetic leakage prevention edge strip 3 includes an elastic absorbing rubber 31, an elastic absorbing rubber sealing ring 32, and an elastic iron sheet 33, the elastic absorbing rubber 31 and the elastic absorbing rubber sealing ring 32 are manufactured by a one-time molding process of a flexible absorbing material, the elastic absorbing rubber 31 is located on the top of the elastic absorbing rubber sealing ring 32, the elastic iron sheet 33 is embedded and fixedly installed in the elastic absorbing rubber sealing ring 32, the elastic O-ring part of the elastic absorbing rubber 31 plays a sealing role, and the elastic iron sheet 33 has an installation and clamping function, which can realize the antenna coupling installation positioning clamping and electromagnetic leakage prevention.

[0034] In this embodiment, the electromagnetic shielding cover 1 is shaped like a contoured structure of the antenna of the airborne radar warning device, combined with the sealing and clamping function of the electromagnetic leakage prevention edge strip 3 and the electromagnetic wave absorption function of the absorbing module 2, to ensure that the airborne antenna is tightly and completely covered by the antenna coupler after installation, which not only shields the external interference electromagnetic signals, but also avoids the leakage of internal electromagnetic signals, and only couples the test signal to the receiving antenna of the airborne radar warning device, thereby improving the test accuracy.

[0035] Example 3 like Figure 1-14As shown, on the basis of Example 1, the present invention provides a technical solution: preferably, the broadband radiator 5 includes a mounting base 51, an SMA interface 52, a flexible microwave cable 53, four coupling adjustment posts 54, and a microstrip helical antenna 55. The SMA interface 52 and the four coupling adjustment posts 54 are directly mounted on the mounting base 51, the microstrip helical antenna 55 is mounted on the four coupling adjustment posts 54, and is connected to the SMA interface 52 through the flexible microwave cable 53. Since the flexible microwave cable 53 has a certain degree of scalability, the coupling adjustment post of a suitable length can be selected according to the coupling requirement. The column 54 is adjusted to adjust the position of the microstrip helical antenna 55. The microstrip helical antenna 55 is designed using the Archimedean spiral antenna principle. A geometric model of the microstrip helical antenna 55 is established according to the working band. HFSS is used to perform electromagnetic field simulation and calculate its S11, VSWR and other parameters to ensure that the frequency range is 2 to 18 GHz, covering the frequency range of electronic warfare signals. The output interface is in the form of an SMA / k microwave connector with an impedance of fifty ohms. The broadband radiator 5 is a broadband circularly polarized radiation unit with a frequency range of 2 to 18 GHz, a voltage standing wave ratio within the frequency band of ≤1.5, and a coupling degree of ≤25 dB.

[0036] Example 4 like Figure 1-14 As shown, based on Example 1, the present invention provides a method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment, comprising the following steps: S1: Install the antenna coupler on the outside of the radome of the airborne radar warning equipment of a certain type of aircraft. Use the center line A of the airborne antenna cover as the horizontal orientation reference, and manually move the shielding device left and right to align the center line of the antenna cover. The front eaves contour surface of the wing is the positioning reference B. Use reasonable matching gaps and the elastic force of the sealing edge strip to make the device fit horizontally on the front eaves contour surface of the wing and keep the position stable. The installation reference position is selected as follows: Fig.12 As shown, install and fix in place as Fig.13 shown.

[0037] S2: Connect the output of the signal source or radar signal simulator to the SMA / k microwave connector on the external panel of the electromagnetic shield through a cable, such as Fig.14 As shown;

[0038] The working principle of the antenna coupler and method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment is described in detail below.

[0039] like Figure 1-14As shown, the radar warning device sorts and identifies the received signals, issues an alarm when it finds threatening radar signals, and provides corresponding radar signal parameters and information such as its location. It uses the antenna coupler of the radar warning device antenna profiling structure to shield external electromagnetic signals, and transmits the test signal to the airborne radar warning device antenna in a spatially coupled manner. By comparing the set signal with the signal parameters received and processed by the airborne radar warning device, the in-situ function and performance test of the airborne radar warning device is achieved.

[0040] The above generally describes the present invention in detail, but it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that some modifications or improvements can be made to the present invention. Therefore, modifications or improvements that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An antenna coupler for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment, comprising an electromagnetic shielding cover (1), characterized in that: The electromagnetic shielding cover (1) comprises an absorbing module (2), an electromagnetic leakage prevention edge strip (3), a cast rubber handle (4), and a broadband radiator (5); the absorbing module (2) is installed inside the electromagnetic shielding cover (1); the electromagnetic leakage prevention edge strip (3) is installed at the four edges of the electromagnetic shielding cover (1); the cast rubber handle (4) is installed on two side surfaces outside the electromagnetic shielding cover (1); the broadband radiator (5) is installed inside the electromagnetic shielding cover (1); and the SMA / k microwave connection port of the broadband radiator (5) is installed on a panel on the outer surface of the electromagnetic shielding cover (1); The electromagnetic shielding cover (1) is a structural body that mimics the antenna of the airborne radar warning device and is the main structural component of the coupler. The installation of the coupler does not change any component on the aircraft body, and the airborne antenna is tightly and completely covered to shield external electromagnetic signals. The shielding isolation is ≥25dB. The shell structure of the electromagnetic shielding cover (1) is an integral type, and the base layer is anti-corrosion treated by galvanizing and coating layer protection.

2. The antenna coupler for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The airborne antenna is a wing-shaped structure.

3. The antenna coupler for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The absorbing module (2) and the absorbing cavity are formed by foaming ultrafine ferrite absorbing material, and then cut and processed into a designed inner cavity. The microwave radio frequency cavity is horn-shaped, and the shape matches the caliber of the broadband radiator (5).

4. The antenna coupler for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electromagnetic leakage prevention edge strip (3) comprises an elastic wave-absorbing rubber (31), an elastic wave-absorbing rubber sealing ring (32), and an elastic iron sheet (33); the elastic wave-absorbing rubber (31) and the elastic wave-absorbing rubber sealing ring (32) are manufactured using a one-step molding process of a flexible wave-absorbing material; the elastic wave-absorbing rubber (31) is located on top of the elastic wave-absorbing rubber sealing ring (32); and the elastic iron sheet (33) is embedded and fixedly mounted on the elastic wave-absorbing rubber sealing ring (32).

5. The antenna coupler for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The broadband radiator (5) comprises a mounting base (51), an SMA interface (52), a flexible microwave cable (53), four coupling degree adjustment posts (54), and a microstrip helical antenna (55); the SMA interface (52) and the four coupling degree adjustment posts (54) are directly mounted on the mounting base (51); the microstrip helical antenna (55) is mounted on the four coupling degree adjustment posts (54) and connected to the SMA interface (52) via the flexible microwave cable (53); and because the flexible microwave cable (53) has a certain degree of scalability, a coupling degree adjustment post (54) of a suitable length can be selected according to coupling degree requirements to adjust the position of the microstrip helical antenna (55).

6. The antenna coupler for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The microstrip helical antenna (55) is designed using the Archimedean helical antenna principle, and the output interface is in the form of an SMA / k microwave connector with an impedance of fifty ohms.

7. The antenna coupler for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The broadband radiator (5) is a broadband circularly polarized radiating unit with a frequency range of 2 to 18 GHz, a voltage standing wave ratio of ≤1.5 within the frequency band, and a coupling degree of ≤25 dB.

8. A method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1: The antenna coupler is installed on the outside of the radome of the airborne radar warning equipment of a certain type of aircraft. The center line A of the airborne antenna cover is used as the horizontal orientation reference. The shielding device is manually moved left and right to align the center line of the antenna cover. The front eaves contour surface of the wing is used as the positioning reference B. The device is horizontally fitted on the front eaves contour surface of the wing and the position is kept stable by using reasonable matching gaps and the elastic force of the sealing edge strips. S2: Connect the output of the signal source or radar signal simulator to the SMA / k microwave connector on the outer panel of the electromagnetic shield (1) through a cable; S3: Set the parameters of the signal source or radar signal simulator synthesized signal according to the test items and output the signal; S4: Combined with the observed airborne radar warning equipment detection results, adjust the parameters of the signal source or radar signal simulator synthesized signal, and comprehensively analyze the test signal parameters, airborne radar warning equipment profile index requirements and detection results to obtain the test results.

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