Antenna coupler and method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment

Abstract

The present invention discloses an antenna coupler and method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment, relating to the technical field of airborne electronic countermeasure equipment testing. The antenna coupler comprises an electromagnetic shielding enclosure, comprising an absorbing module, electromagnetic leakage-proofing strips, a cast rubber handle, and a broadband radiator. The absorbing module is mounted within the electromagnetic shielding enclosure, and the electromagnetic leakage-proofing strips are mounted on the four edges of the electromagnetic shielding enclosure. The present invention utilizes an electromagnetic shielding enclosure that is shaped like the antenna of the airborne radar warning equipment, combines the sealing and clamping functions of the electromagnetic leakage-proofing strips with the electromagnetic wave absorption function of the absorbing material, and ensures that the antenna coupler, after installation, tightly and completely encloses the airborne antenna. This not only shields external electromagnetic interference signals but also prevents leakage of internal electromagnetic signals, coupling only the test signal to the receiving antenna of the airborne radar warning equipment, thereby improving test accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of airborne electronic countermeasure equipment testing, and in particular to an antenna coupler and 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 protect themselves. Its functions and performance status are directly related to 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, transmit the signals to the airborne radar warning equipment by injection or radiation, and finally obtain test results based on the signal reception status of the airborne radar warning equipment. The existing technology has the following problems:

[0003] Because existing airborne radar warning equipment tests usually include signal gun irradiation method, in-situ injection test method and off-situ test method.

[0004] The signal gun illumination method uses a radar signal simulating gun to directly illuminate the receiving antenna to detect radar warning equipment. This method is simple and easy to operate, but is affected by the large amount of electromagnetic interference signals in the airport environment, often resulting in low test accuracy and weak measured function and performance indicators, making it difficult to reflect the true status of the airborne radar warning equipment.

[0005] The in-situ injection test method requires removing the aircraft's exterior and receiving antenna, then injecting the signal directly into the radar warning device's receiving channel via a cable. This method can accurately measure the radar warning device's functions and performance indicators, but because the signal does not pass through the receiving antenna, the integrity of the receiving antenna cannot be guaranteed. Furthermore, disassembly and assembly requires considerable time and manpower, and frequent disassembly and assembly may damage the onboard equipment.

[0006] 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

[0007] 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.

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0009] An antenna coupler for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment, comprising an electromagnetic shielding cover, the electromagnetic shielding cover including an absorbing module, electromagnetic leakage prevention strips, a cast rubber handle, and a broadband radiator. The absorbing module is mounted inside the electromagnetic shielding cover, the electromagnetic leakage prevention strips are mounted on the four edges of the electromagnetic shielding cover, the cast rubber handles are mounted on two side surfaces outside the electromagnetic shielding cover, the broadband radiator is mounted inside the electromagnetic shielding cover, and the SMA / k microwave connection port of the broadband radiator is mounted on a panel on the outer surface of the electromagnetic shielding cover.

[0010] 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 with a shielding isolation of ≥25dB. The shell structure of the electromagnetic shielding cover is integral, and the base layer is protected by galvanizing and coating.

[0011] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention is that the airborne antenna is a wing-shaped structure.

[0012] 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 RF cavity is horn-shaped, and the shape matches the aperture of the broadband radiator.

[0013] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention is that: the electromagnetic leakage prevention edge strip includes an elastic wave-absorbing rubber, an elastic wave-absorbing rubber sealing ring, and an elastic iron sheet. The elastic wave-absorbing rubber and the elastic wave-absorbing rubber sealing ring are manufactured using a one-time molding process of a flexible wave-absorbing material. The elastic wave-absorbing rubber is located on the top of the elastic wave-absorbing rubber sealing ring. The elastic iron sheet is embedded and fixedly installed in the elastic wave-absorbing rubber sealing ring. The elastic O-ring portion of the elastic wave-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.

[0014] 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 posts, and a microstrip helical antenna, the SMA interface and the four coupling adjustment posts are directly mounted on the mounting base, the microstrip helical antenna is mounted on the four coupling adjustment posts and connected to the SMA interface through a flexible microwave cable, and since the flexible microwave cable has a certain degree of scalability, coupling adjustment posts of appropriate length can be selected according to coupling requirements to adjust the position of the microstrip helical antenna.

[0015] 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.

[0016] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention is that the broadband radiator is a broadband circularly polarized radiating 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.

[0017] A method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment comprises the following steps:

[0018] S1: Install the antenna coupler on the outside of the radome of an aircraft's airborne radar warning equipment. Use the centerline A of the airborne antenna cover as the horizontal orientation reference. Manually move the shielding device left and right to align it with the centerline of the antenna cover. Use the wing's front eaves contour surface as the positioning reference B. Use reasonable clearances and the elastic force of the sealing edge strips to ensure the device fits horizontally onto the wing's front eaves contour surface and maintains a stable position.

[0019] 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;

[0020] S3: Set the parameters of the signal source or radar signal simulator synthesized signal according to the test items and output the signal;

[0021] S4: Based on the observed detection results of the airborne radar warning equipment, adjust the parameters of the signal source or radar signal simulator synthesized signal, and comprehensively analyze the test signal parameters, the airborne radar warning equipment profile index requirements and the detection results to obtain the test results.

[0022] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the present invention has the following technical advancements compared to the prior art:

[0023] 1. The present invention provides an antenna coupler and method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment. The electromagnetic shielding cover has a contoured structure similar to the antenna of the airborne radar warning equipment. Combined with the sealing and clamping functions of the electromagnetic leakage-proof edge strips and the electromagnetic wave absorption function of the absorbing material, the antenna coupler ensures that the airborne antenna is tightly and completely covered after installation. This not only shields external electromagnetic interference signals but also prevents leakage of internal electromagnetic signals. Only the test signal is coupled to the receiving antenna of the airborne radar warning equipment, thereby improving test accuracy.

[0024] 2. The present invention provides an antenna coupler and method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment. Airborne radar warning equipment can be tested without disassembling aircraft parts. The operation is simple, the test efficiency is improved, and manpower and time costs are saved.

[0025] 3. The present invention provides an antenna coupler and method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment. By performing in-situ testing through antenna coupling, not only can the functional performance status of the airborne radar warning equipment itself be tested, but also its interaction with various subsystems and working conditions after installation on the aircraft can be verified, thereby achieving system-level testing requirements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the antenna coupler of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a flow chart of the in-situ test of the airborne radar warning equipment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 The electromagnetic shielding cover cavity-shaped wave absorbing module of the present invention is provided.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the broadband radiator of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the electromagnetic leakage prevention edge strip of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a geometric structure diagram of the microstrip helical antenna of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the electromagnetic field spatial radiation simulation of the microstrip helical antenna of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 8 VSWR parameter simulation results of the microstrip helical antenna of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 9 Parameter simulation results of the microstrip helical antenna S11 of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the spatial electromagnetic field simulation effect of the antenna coupler model of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 11 This is a simulation result diagram of the coupling degree S21 of the antenna coupler of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of the top view of the reference position of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 13 Schematic diagram of the installation process of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 14 This is the in-situ test connection diagram of the present invention.

[0040] 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

[0041] The present invention is described in further detail below in conjunction with the embodiments:

[0042] Example 1

[0043] 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 including an absorbing module 2, an electromagnetic leakage prevention strip 3, a cast rubber handle 4, and a broadband radiator 5. The absorbing module 2 is mounted inside the electromagnetic shielding cover 1, the electromagnetic leakage prevention strip 3 is mounted on the four edges of the electromagnetic shielding cover 1, and the cast rubber handle 4 is mounted on two side surfaces outside the electromagnetic shielding cover 1, so that operators can conveniently lift and install the antenna coupler on the escalator next to the aircraft. The broadband radiator 5 is mounted inside the electromagnetic shielding cover 1, and the SMA / k microwave connection port of the broadband radiator 5 is mounted on a 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 component of the coupler. The installation of the coupler does not change any components on the aircraft body and tightly and completely covers the airborne antenna to shield external electromagnetic signals with a shielding isolation of ≥25dB. The shell structure of the electromagnetic shielding cover 1 is a monolithic structure, and the base layer is anti-corrosion treated by galvanizing and coating. The airborne antenna is a wing contoured structure.

[0044] Example 2

[0045] 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 RF cavity is horn-shaped, and the shape matches the aperture 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, and 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.

[0046] In this embodiment, the electromagnetic shielding cover 1 is shaped like the contoured structure of the airborne radar warning equipment antenna. Combined with the sealing and clamping function of the electromagnetic leakage prevention strip 3 and the electromagnetic wave absorption function of the absorbing module 2, it ensures that the airborne antenna is tightly and completely covered after the antenna coupler is installed, 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 equipment, thereby improving the test accuracy.

[0047] Example 3

[0048] like Figure 1-14 As shown, based on 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, and the microstrip helical antenna 55 is mounted on the four coupling adjustment posts 54 and 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 spiral antenna 55. The microstrip spiral antenna 55 is designed using the Archimedean spiral antenna principle. A geometric model of the microstrip spiral 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 ≤1.5, and a coupling degree ≤25 dB.

[0049] Example 4

[0050] 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:

[0051] 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 wing front eaves contour surface 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 wing front eaves contour surface and maintain a stable position. The installation reference position is selected as follows: Figure 12 As shown, install it in place as Figure 13 shown.

[0052] 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 Figure 14 As shown;

[0053] S3: Set the parameters of the signal source or radar signal simulator synthesized signal according to the test items and output the signal;

[0054] S4: Based on the observed detection results of the airborne radar warning equipment, adjust the parameters of the signal source or radar signal simulator synthesized signal, and comprehensively analyze the test signal parameters, the airborne radar warning equipment profile index requirements and the detection results to obtain the test results.

[0055] The following describes in detail the working principles of the antenna coupler and method for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment.

[0056] like Figure 1-14 As 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 spatial coupling manner. By comparing the set signal and 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.

[0057] While the present invention has been generally described above, modifications and improvements are readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, modifications and improvements that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An antenna coupler for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment, comprising an electromagnetic shield (1), characterized in that: The electromagnetic shielding cover (1) comprises 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 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 contoured structure of 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 components on the aircraft body, and the airborne antenna is tightly and completely covered to shield external electromagnetic signals with a shielding isolation of ≥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. The airborne antenna is a wing-shaped structure; 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 aperture of the broadband radiator (5).

2. 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 by a one-step molding process of a flexible wave-absorbing material. The elastic wave-absorbing rubber (31) is located on the top of the elastic wave-absorbing rubber sealing ring (32), and the elastic iron sheet (33) is embedded and fixedly installed in the elastic wave-absorbing rubber sealing ring (32).

3. 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 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 connected to the SMA interface (52) via the flexible microwave cable (53). Since the flexible microwave cable (53) has a certain degree of scalability, the coupling adjustment posts (54) of appropriate length can be selected according to coupling requirements to adjust the position of the microstrip helical antenna (55).

4. The antenna coupler for in-situ testing of airborne radar warning equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The microstrip helical antenna (55) is designed using the Archimedean helical antenna principle, and its output interface is in the form of an SMA / k microwave connector with an impedance of fifty ohms.

5. 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 within the frequency band of ≤1.5, and a coupling degree of ≤25 dB.

6. A method for in-situ testing of an antenna coupler for airborne radar warning equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1: Install the antenna coupler on the outside of the radome of an aircraft's airborne radar warning equipment. Use the centerline A of the airborne antenna cover as the horizontal orientation reference. Manually move the shielding device left and right to align it with the centerline of the antenna cover. Use the wing's front eaves contour surface as the positioning reference B. Use reasonable clearances and the elastic force of the sealing edge strips to ensure the device fits horizontally onto the wing's front eaves contour surface and maintains a stable position. 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: Based on the observed detection results of the airborne radar warning equipment, adjust the parameters of the signal source or radar signal simulator synthesized signal, and comprehensively analyze the test signal parameters, the airborne radar warning equipment profile index requirements and the detection results to obtain the test results.

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