Programmable attenuator for radio frequency signal test and test system

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to the field of radio frequency signal testing, and discloses a programmable attenuator for radio frequency signal testing and a testing system. The programmable attenuator comprises a radio frequency circuit module. The radio frequency circuit module comprises a first radio frequency channel, a second radio frequency channel, a third radio frequency channel and a fourth radio frequency channel. Each radio frequency channel comprises a first combiner, a second combiner, a first frequency band path, a second frequency band path, a third frequency band path, a plurality of radio frequency attenuator units and a plurality of change-over switches; the first radio frequency channel, the second radio frequency channel, the third radio frequency channel and the fourth radio frequency channel are connected through a separator; and the control circuit module is connected with the radio frequency circuit module and is used for sending out a control signal to control the radio frequency attenuator unit and the radio frequency change-over switch of the radio frequency circuit module. The technical problem that a radio frequency signal test attenuation value cannot be accurately controlled can be at least solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of radio frequency signal testing, and in particular to a programmable attenuator and a testing system for radio frequency signal testing. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of wireless communication technology, the testing of RF signals plays a vital role in the design, production and debugging of various communication equipment. In order to ensure the reliability and performance of the equipment, the transmission characteristics of RF signals at different frequency bands and different intensities must be accurately tested. In the testing process, the attenuation control of RF signals is a key link, which directly affects the accuracy and consistency of the test results.

[0003] Traditional RF signal attenuators generally achieve signal attenuation through fixed attenuation values ​​or manual adjustment. However, this method has poor flexibility and cannot meet the precise control requirements in modern complex communication environments. Especially in multi-band and multi-signal channel test scenarios, fixed or manually adjusted attenuators are difficult to quickly and accurately control the RF signals of multiple signal channels in real time, resulting in low test efficiency and unsatisfactory test results. In addition, with the widespread application of multi-band wireless communication devices, such as Wi-Fi devices that usually work simultaneously in different frequency bands such as 2.4GHz, 5GHz and even 6GHz, traditional attenuators face challenges in dealing with such multi-band signals. To achieve precise control of these frequency band signals, it is necessary to be able to independently and accurately adjust the attenuation of signals in multiple frequency bands.

[0004] Therefore, the prior art urgently needs a programmable attenuator that can achieve precise attenuation control of multi-channel, multi-band RF signals to improve the flexibility, automation and accuracy of RF signal testing, thereby meeting the testing needs of modern wireless communication equipment. Summary of the invention

[0005] One object of the present application is to provide a programmable attenuator and a test system for radio frequency signal testing, at least to solve the technical problem that the attenuation value of the radio frequency signal test cannot be accurately controlled.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, some embodiments of the present application provide the following aspects: In the first aspect, some embodiments of the present application also provide a programmable attenuator for RF signal testing, including a RF circuit module, the RF circuit module including a first RF channel, a second RF channel, a third RF channel and a fourth RF channel; each RF channel includes a first combiner, a second combiner, a first frequency band path, a second frequency band path, a third frequency band path, a plurality of RF attenuator units and a plurality of switching switches; the first RF channel, the second RF channel, the third RF channel and the fourth RF channel are connected through a separator; a control circuit module, the control circuit module is connected to the RF circuit module, and is used to send a control signal to control the RF attenuator unit and the RF switching switch of the RF circuit module.

[0007] In the second aspect, some embodiments of the present application also provide a radio frequency signal testing system, which includes: a plurality of programmable attenuators as described above, wherein the programmable attenuators adopt a stacking design, and a plurality of the programmable attenuators are stacked into a whole to form a radio frequency signal testing system; a test control module, wherein the test control module is connected to the programmable attenuators, and performs radio frequency signal testing by controlling the programmable attenuators.

[0008] Compared with the related art, the solution provided in the embodiment of the present application flexibly changes the attenuation parameters through a programmable interface, provides three commonly used WiFi signal frequency band paths of 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, and can realize a programmable attenuator for precise attenuation control of multi-channel, multi-band RF signals to improve the flexibility, automation and accuracy of RF signal testing, thereby meeting the testing requirements of modern wireless communication equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] One or more embodiments are exemplarily described by pictures in the corresponding drawings, and these exemplified descriptions do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings represent similar elements, and unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings do not constitute proportional limitations.

[0010] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a programmable attenuator provided according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a circuit structure of a radio frequency circuit module provided according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of a control circuit module provided according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solution 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 part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0012] First embodiment The first embodiment of the present application relates to a programmable attenuator for radio frequency signal testing. Figure 1 As shown, the programmable attenuator may include: A radio frequency circuit module, wherein the radio frequency circuit module includes a first radio frequency channel, a second radio frequency channel, a third radio frequency channel and a fourth radio frequency channel; each radio frequency channel includes a first combiner, a second combiner, a first frequency band path, a second frequency band path, a third frequency band path, a plurality of radio frequency attenuator units and a plurality of switching switches; the first radio frequency channel, the second radio frequency channel, the third radio frequency channel and the fourth radio frequency channel are connected by a separator; A control circuit module, wherein the control circuit module is connected to the radio frequency circuit module and is used to send a control signal to control the radio frequency attenuator unit and the radio frequency switching switch of the radio frequency circuit module.

[0013] The RF circuit module consists of four RF channels, namely the first RF channel, the second RF channel, the third RF channel and the fourth RF channel. Each RF channel contains multiple core components, including: the first combiner is used to separate the input RF signal according to the frequency band; the second combiner is used to re-combine the RF signals processed by each frequency band path into an output signal. The three frequency band paths, namely the first frequency band path, the second frequency band path and the third frequency band path, process signals in different frequency ranges respectively. Multiple RF attenuator units are used to attenuate the RF signals passing through each frequency band path to different degrees. Multiple switching switches are used to switch between different frequency band paths, so as to select the signal transmission path according to the test needs. In addition, the four RF channels are connected in parallel through a separator to realize the synchronous testing and control of multi-channel and multi-band RF signals.

[0014] First combiner: The RF signal test equipment sends out an RF signal from the test input end and sends the signal to the first combiner of the corresponding RF channel in the RF circuit module. The combiner is responsible for separating the incoming RF signal according to the frequency characteristics and directing it to the signal paths of different frequency bands. The first combiner can separate the input signal by frequency band, specifically into three frequency bands of 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz (the three commonly used WiFi signal frequency band paths at present), and the frequency band can be adjusted accordingly in actual testing. Each frequency band signal corresponds to a frequency band path, namely the first frequency band path (2.4GHz), the second frequency band path (5GHz) and the third frequency band path (6GHz). When the separated signal frequency is 2.4GHz, the first combiner directs the signal to the first frequency band path; the signal with a frequency of 5GHz is directed to the second frequency band path; the signal with a frequency of 6GHz passes through the third frequency band path.

[0015] Second combiner: After frequency separation by the first combiner, the signals of each frequency band enter different frequency band paths and are further processed in each path. Each frequency band path contains multiple RF attenuator units and switching switches to adjust the signal strength to ensure that the signal meets the test requirements. The processed RF signals will reach the second combiner through their respective paths, which is responsible for recombining these signals into a complete RF signal. The synthesized signal is transmitted to the test equipment or the receiving end for further signal analysis or processing.

[0016] The second combiner receives 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz signals from the first, second and third frequency band paths respectively, and combines these signals into one output signal. This output signal can be used for subsequent RF signal testing processes, such as strength analysis, frequency stability testing, etc. The final synthesized signal is output from the second combiner to the external test system, and subsequent analysis equipment can further measure various parameters of the signal, including frequency response, signal strength, bandwidth, etc., to ensure signal stability and consistency.

[0017] When the user needs to test the RF signal, first input the RF signal to the input end of the programmable attenuator; the input signal passes through the first combiner and is automatically distributed to the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz frequency band paths according to the frequency characteristics; the signal is adjusted to different attenuations in each frequency band path through the RF attenuator unit, and the adjusted signal is transmitted to the second combiner; finally, the second combiner combines the signals of different frequency bands into a complete output signal for subsequent processing by the test equipment.

[0018] The first frequency band path is used to process signals in the 2.4GHz band. This frequency band is usually used for testing wireless communications such as WIFI and Bluetooth. This path is equipped with multiple RF attenuator units to achieve controllable attenuation of 2.4GHz signals.

[0019] The second frequency band path is used to process signals in the 5GHz frequency band. 5GHz frequency band signals are more common in high-speed data transmission or broadband communication testing. Similar to the first frequency band path, the second frequency band path also contains multiple RF attenuator units that can accurately adjust the signal.

[0020] The third frequency band path is used to process signals in the 6GHz band. The 6GHz band is a relatively high-frequency signal and is mostly used for testing next-generation communication systems. This path is also equipped with an RF attenuator unit to meet the signal attenuation requirements under different test conditions.

[0021] Each frequency band path contains multiple RF attenuator units. The main function of the RF attenuator unit is to attenuate the passing RF signal, and the attenuation range can range from 2dB to 30dB. Users can set the required attenuation value through the control circuit module according to actual test requirements, thereby achieving flexible adjustment of signal strength.

[0022] The switch is set in each RF channel and is mainly used to switch between different frequency band paths. When the test requirements change, the user can control the switch through the control circuit module to select the required frequency band path. For example, when testing the 2.4GHz frequency band signal, the switch will switch to the first frequency band path, and for the test of the 5GHz or 6GHz frequency band signal, it will switch to the corresponding path. The setting of the switch ensures the flexibility and efficiency of the test.

[0023] The first RF channel, the second RF channel, the third RF channel, and the fourth RF channel are connected through a separator. In this way, multiple RF signals can be processed simultaneously, which can meet the needs of synchronous testing of multi-channel RF signals. Each RF channel is designed to be independent of other channels, so signals of multiple frequency bands can be processed in parallel without interfering with each other. This design greatly improves the test efficiency, especially when multiple devices or multiple frequency bands need to be tested simultaneously.

[0024] In the actual test process, the RF signal enters the programmable attenuator from the test equipment and is first separated into multiple frequency band signals through the first combiner. The separated signals enter their respective frequency band paths and are attenuated by different amplitudes through the RF attenuator unit. The user sets the attenuation value and path switching of each frequency band through the control circuit module to achieve flexible control of the RF signal. The processed signal is synthesized into a complete signal through the second combiner and finally output to the test equipment for further processing or analysis.

[0025] It is not difficult to find that compared with the related art, in the solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, through the coordinated action of multiple RF channels, frequency band paths, RF attenuator units and switching switches, it is possible to flexibly and accurately control the strength and transmission path of multi-band RF signals, which is particularly suitable for complex, multi-channel RF signal testing scenarios.

[0026] Second embodiment The second embodiment of the present application relates to a programmable attenuator for radio frequency signal testing. The second implementation is an improvement on the first embodiment, and the specific improvements are: The RF channel includes: a first switching switch connected to the first combiner and the second switching switch; a second switching switch connected to the first combiner and the first frequency band path; a third switching switch connected to the first frequency band path and the second combiner; a fourth switching switch connected to the third switching switch and the fifth switching switch; and a fifth switching switch connected to the second combiner and the separator.

[0027] The first frequency band path includes three radio frequency attenuator units; the second frequency band path and the third frequency band path include two radio frequency attenuator units.

[0028] The first combiner separates the radio frequency signal into three frequency bands of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz, which correspond to the first frequency band path, the second frequency band path and the third frequency band path respectively.

[0029] The attenuation value adjustment range of the RF attenuator unit is 2-30dB.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the programmable attenuator contains four RF channels (A1, A2, A3, A4), each of which processes the RF signal through an independent path. After being processed, the input signal of each RF channel is output to the corresponding output end (B1, B2, B3, B4), or is aggregated into a unified signal output (B0) through a splitter.

[0031] Each RF channel contains the following main components: A triplexer is also called a triplex filter. The RF signal in each channel first passes through the triplexer, which divides the input RF signal into three paths according to the frequency, corresponding to three different frequency bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. The signal of each frequency band will enter its own RF attenuator unit. The RF attenuator unit contains multiple RF attenuator units in each frequency band path, and the attenuation value of each unit can be adjusted in the range of 2dB to 30dB. By attenuating the signal to different degrees through the attenuator unit, precise signal control can be achieved to simulate different test environments and conditions.

[0032] After the signal of each channel is attenuated, the second three-band combiner is used to combine the signals of each frequency band into a RF signal. The combined signal can be directly output to the splitter (Splitter) to summarize all channel signals and combine them into a unified signal, which is output from the output end (B0). It is also possible to switch the processing path by switching the switch without going through the combiner, and directly output from the output end (B1, B2, B3 and B4) after the attenuation processing of the first frequency band path.

[0033] The specific working process includes: the RF signal enters the programmable attenuator through the input terminals A1 to A4. Each input signal is processed through its independent RF channel, and different input signals work independently on different channels.

[0034] Each input signal first passes through a three-band combiner to divide the RF signal into three frequency bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. The signal of each frequency band is separated and enters the corresponding frequency band path for further processing. In each frequency band path, the RF signal passes through multiple RF attenuator units. Each attenuator unit can be adjusted according to the control command to adjust the signal strength to the required attenuation value (adjustable between 2dB and 30dB). Users can select the settings of the attenuator unit according to the test requirements to simulate different signal transmission conditions.

[0035] The attenuated signal is synthesized into one signal through a three-frequency combiner and input into a separator. The four channels of signal are synthesized into one signal through the separator and output from the output terminal (B0).

[0036] The first frequency band path is used to process the signals of the frequency band and is equipped with three RF attenuator units. The attenuation range of each attenuator unit can be adjusted between 2dB and 30dB. Multi-level signal attenuation can be achieved through the combination of three RF attenuator units. For example, in some test scenarios, you can choose to let the signal pass through only one attenuator unit to produce a smaller attenuation effect. In other cases, the signal can be combined and attenuated through multiple attenuator units to achieve a greater total attenuation, which is especially important for simulating different transmission distances and signal losses. This multi-level attenuation design can adapt to complex test scenarios, especially in wireless communication tests that need to simulate changes in 2.4GHz signal strength, such as RF testing of WIFI or Bluetooth devices. The multi-level attenuator can provide precise signal control through flexible combination.

[0037] The second and third frequency band paths are used to process signals in the 5GHz and 6GHz bands, respectively. Two RF attenuator units are configured in each path, and the attenuation value range is also 2dB to 30dB. The two RF attenuator units in each path allow precise attenuation control of 5GHz and 6GHz signals. By adjusting the attenuator unit, the user can control the signal strength to fluctuate within an appropriate range according to the test requirements to ensure the accuracy of the test results. 5GHz and 6GHz frequency band signals are widely used in the testing of high-speed data transmission and next-generation communication technologies (such as Wi-Fi 6 or future 6GHz frequency band technologies). In these scenarios, the signal strength needs to be adjusted according to the specific transmission conditions. Through the combined adjustment of the attenuator unit, different transmission environments can be simulated to help test the equipment's anti-interference, signal reception capabilities and other performance.

[0038] Each RF attenuator unit is controlled by the control circuit module through instructions. The user can adjust the attenuation value of each attenuator unit through an external test system (for example, sending commands through the UART interface). The control module will issue corresponding instructions according to the test requirements to change the settings of each attenuator unit to ensure that the signal attenuation is accurate to the specified dB value. The attenuator units in each frequency band path can not only be adjusted independently, but also used in combination to achieve more complex signal attenuation effects. This enables the system to meet a variety of test requirements, including simulation of long-distance communication, signal attenuation testing, and testing the impact of signal strength changes on communication quality.

[0039] The RF attenuator units in each frequency band path can provide precise attenuation in the range of 2dB to 30dB, ensuring the accuracy of signal strength adjustment, and are suitable for high-precision RF testing. Through the combined adjustment of multiple attenuator units, each path can achieve flexible attenuation value settings to support a variety of test scenarios and requirements. This flexibility is especially important when processing high-frequency band (5GHz and 6GHz) signals. It is suitable for RF signal testing of a variety of wireless communication devices, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5G communications, etc., and can meet the signal processing requirements of different frequency bands.

[0040] In this embodiment, through the combined operation of the first switch, the second switch, the third switch and the fourth switch, the RF signal can bypass the processing of the first combiner and the second combiner, directly enter the first frequency band path, and process the signal through the three RF attenuator units in the path. The final signal does not need to pass through the second combiner and is directly output from the first frequency band path.

[0041] The RF signal enters the programmable attenuator from the input port. Under normal circumstances, the signal will first pass through the first combiner to divide the RF signal into multiple frequency bands, and enter the corresponding frequency band path for processing. However, this embodiment allows the combined operation of the switching switch so that the input signal can bypass the first combiner and directly enter the first frequency band path (processing 2.4GHz signals).

[0042] The first switch is used to determine whether the RF signal needs to enter the first combiner for frequency band separation. When the first combiner needs to be bypassed, the first switch directly directs the signal to the second switch. The second switch further controls whether the signal directly enters the first frequency band path. When the bypass operation takes effect, the second switch directly introduces the signal into the first frequency band path without separation by the first combiner.

[0043] After bypassing the first combiner, the input signal directly enters the first frequency band path. Three RF attenuator units are configured in this path, and the attenuation value of each attenuator unit can be adjusted between 2dB and 30dB. After the signal enters the first frequency band path, it is processed in multiple stages by three attenuator units. The system can adjust the attenuation value of each attenuator unit according to the test requirements, so as to accurately control the intensity of the signal. For example, the signal can be attenuated slightly by one attenuator unit, or three attenuator units can be combined to achieve a maximum attenuation of 30dB.

[0044] The combined operation of the third switch and the fourth switch allows the signal to bypass the synthesis processing of the second combiner and be directly output from the first frequency band path. Normally, after the signal is processed in each frequency band path, it will be re-synthesized into an overall signal output through the second combiner, but in this embodiment, through the operation of the third and fourth switches, the signal does not need to be synthesized and can be directly output to the external test equipment.

[0045] This bypass processing can control the signal path more flexibly. The signal can be processed through the complete first frequency band path (including attenuator unit adjustment) and directly output to the test equipment, eliminating the combining process and reducing unnecessary signal loss. It is suitable for test environments that require independent processing of RF signals. For example, in scenarios such as WIFI testing and Bluetooth signal testing, only the attenuation test of the frequency band signal is required. Bypass combiner processing can reduce unnecessary signal operations and improve the efficiency and accuracy of the test. In addition, the bypass mode allows flexible selection of signal paths, avoids mutual interference between frequency band signals, and ensures that the signal processing of each frequency band is independent and accurate.

[0046] Third embodiment The third embodiment of the present application relates to a programmable attenuator for radio frequency signal testing. The third implementation is an improvement on the first embodiment, and the specific improvements are: The control circuit module uses ATmega328 chip as the main control chip. The main control chip of the control circuit module receives commands from the UART interface, generates control signals for controlling the RF attenuator unit and the switch, and sets the test path and adjusts the path attenuation value according to the control signal.

[0047] The core of the control circuit module is the ATmega328 chip, which has rich input and output interfaces and good processing capabilities. It can process instructions from external test equipment and generate control signals.

[0048] The control circuit module communicates with the external test system through the UART interface. The UART interface is used to receive test commands from the outside, which include control information such as setting the attenuation value of the RF attenuator, selecting the signal path, switching different frequency bands, etc. Users can send commands through a computer or other test system to instruct the control circuit module to adjust the RF signal.

[0049] When the control circuit module receives a command from the UART interface, the main control chip will parse the command and generate corresponding control signals. These control signals will be used to adjust the RF attenuator unit and switch in the RF path. For example, when the command requires adjusting the signal attenuation, the main control chip will convert the command into a signal to instruct a certain RF attenuator unit to set the attenuation value to a specified dB value.

[0050] The control circuit module can control the transmission of RF signals in three frequency band paths: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. The main control chip determines which frequency band path the signal enters through the received command, and accurately adjusts the signal strength in the path through the RF attenuator unit. In order to increase the flexibility of the programmable attenuator, an RF path selection switch is also designed inside the control circuit module to switch the signal path. For example, the user can send a command to indicate that the signal bypasses the first combiner and directly enters a certain frequency band path to adjust the signal strength without other unnecessary processing. This flexible path selection function greatly improves the scope of application of the programmable attenuator, and is particularly suitable for general attenuator scenarios with a wide range of frequencies.

[0051] Multiple RF attenuator units are configured in each RF band path, and the attenuation values ​​of these attenuator units can be precisely adjusted through the control circuit module. The control circuit module adjusts the attenuation value according to the test command so that it can be accurately set within the range of 2dB to 30dB. Users can send commands through an external system to set different test schemes. For example, in the 2.4GHz band, the signal attenuation value is set to 10dB, and in the 5GHz band, the signal attenuation value is set to 20dB. The main control chip will automatically adjust the attenuator units in each path according to these commands to ensure that the signal is transmitted within the specified strength range.

[0052] In addition to conventional signal path adjustments, it also includes the function of bypassing the three-band combiner. Through the control circuit module, the three-band combiner can be bypassed and the RF signal can be directly imported into the RF attenuator unit for processing. This bypass function is suitable for scenarios that require wider frequency support, especially when there is no need to synthesize multiple frequency band signals, and a single frequency band signal can be directly processed.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the control circuit module uses ATmega328P microcontroller as the main control chip, and controls the path and attenuation value of the RF signal by receiving external instructions. The figure shows the complete circuit connection, including clock circuit, reset circuit, UART communication interface, etc.

[0054] Main control chip ATmega328P: As the core control unit, the core part of the circuit is the ATmega328P microcontroller, whose pin configuration and peripheral circuits provide support for various control functions of the system. ATmega328P can communicate with external devices through the UART interface to receive external commands and control the RF attenuator unit and switch of the RF signal test system through its pins.

[0055] Power input: The control circuit module uses a +5V power supply, which is filtered by capacitors C1 and C7 to ensure voltage stability. The power supply is regulated to provide voltage supply for the ATmega328P microcontroller.

[0056] Capacitor filtering: Multiple capacitors (such as C1, C7, C3, and C5) configured in the circuit are used to filter out high-frequency noise in the power supply, ensure power supply stability, and avoid signal interference affecting system performance.

[0057] Clock circuit: Crystal oscillator circuit, the control circuit module uses a 16MHz crystal oscillator (Y1) to provide a clock signal for the microcontroller. The crystal oscillator is connected to the ground through capacitors C2 and C3 at both ends to form a stable clock oscillation circuit to ensure the normal working frequency of the ATmega328P chip; clock frequency, the 16MHz clock frequency ensures that the ATmega328P can run at a high speed to meet the needs of real-time signal control and test data processing.

[0058] Reset circuit: Reset button (SW1), when the user presses this button, the control circuit module will restart. The function of the reset button is to make the ATmega328P chip re-enter the initialization state, which is suitable for emergency recovery during debugging or circuit failure.

[0059] Reset resistor (R1): A 10kΩ resistor (R1) is connected next to the reset button to ensure that the reset signal is stable and will not be affected by external interference and cause the system to reset incorrectly.

[0060] UART communication interface: Two pins (TX and RX) are used in the circuit as UART interface for communication with external test system or computer. The UART interface can receive control commands from the external test system and input them to the ATmega328P chip through the RX pin.

[0061] Communication resistors (R9, R10): 1kΩ resistors are connected to the TX and RX pins respectively. These resistors are used to limit the current and protect the chip from being damaged by high current shocks.

[0062] LED indicator: The LED light connected to the D13 pin in the figure is used to indicate the circuit status. The LED light is connected in series with a 1kΩ resistor to display the operating status of the circuit or feedback information during debugging. The on and off of the LED can indicate whether the system is in working condition, which is convenient for operators to monitor.

[0063] Other components: Reference voltage (AREF), this pin is used to provide reference voltage. The AREF pin is filtered by capacitor C1 (100nF) to ensure the stability of analog signal processing. GND and VCC pins, the ATmega328P chip is connected to the ground and power supply through multiple pairs of GND and VCC pins to ensure stable power supply and signal grounding.

[0064] Working process: Power supply and startup. When the circuit is powered on, the 5V power supply enters the circuit through the filter capacitor, and the ATmega328P chip starts to run. Through the 16MHz clock signal provided by the crystal oscillator circuit, the ATmega328P can process external commands at high speed. Reset function. Pressing the reset button (SW1) can manually restart the microcontroller, which is suitable for reinitialization during circuit failure or debugging. UART communication and control. Receive commands from external devices (such as commands from a computer or test system) through the RX pin. The ATmega328P chip parses the commands and generates corresponding control signals. These control signals can be used to adjust the attenuation value of the RF attenuator or switch the path of the RF signal.

[0065] Status feedback, ATmega328P can send feedback information to external devices through the TX pin, such as sending the attenuation value of the current signal, path selection status and other data. In addition, the status indicator will display the working status of the circuit in real time.

[0066] Through the control circuit module, the path selection and attenuation value adjustment of the RF signal can be accurately controlled, which is suitable for RF signal testing in multiple frequency bands. Automated testing: The control module can also be connected to an external automated test system to receive control commands and perform automated operations, which is suitable for large-scale, long-term automated RF signal testing.

[0067] The step division of the above methods is only for clear description. When implemented, they can be combined into one step or some steps can be split and decomposed into multiple steps. As long as they include the same logical relationship, they are all within the scope of protection of this application; adding insignificant modifications to the algorithm or process or introducing insignificant designs without changing the core design of the algorithm and process are all within the scope of protection of this application.

[0068] Fourth embodiment The fourth embodiment of the present application relates to a radio frequency signal testing system / device. The system includes: A plurality of the above-mentioned programmable attenuators, wherein the programmable attenuators are stacked in a stacking design, and the plurality of the programmable attenuators are stacked as a whole to form a radio frequency signal testing system; a test control module, wherein the test control module is connected to the programmable attenuators, and performs radio frequency signal testing by controlling the programmable attenuators.

[0069] In the radio frequency signal testing system, a number is set for each programmable attenuator, a common external communication interface is used, the number of the programmable attenuator is identified by firmware, and the programmable attenuator is controlled according to the number.

[0070] The test control module centrally manages and operates the programmable attenuator through a dedicated software platform; the dedicated software platform automatically generates test commands according to a preset test plan and sends them to the programmable attenuator, monitors the signal attenuation status of each RF channel in real time, and generates a corresponding test report.

[0071] Each programmable attenuator is used to independently control and adjust the path and attenuation value of the RF signal. The stacking design of the programmable attenuator allows multiple attenuator modules to be combined together to form an overall RF signal test system. Through stacking, each attenuator module can be tested simultaneously without interfering with each other.

[0072] As the core control unit of the system, the test control module is responsible for managing multiple programmable attenuators. The control module communicates with the programmable attenuators through a unified external communication interface, sends control commands and obtains real-time feedback. Each programmable attenuator is distinguished by a number, and the test control module can accurately identify and control each attenuator according to the number.

[0073] Programmable attenuators are combined through physical stacking or modular design, so that multiple attenuators can process RF signals of different channels at the same time. This stacking structure can maximize the use of space and support parallel testing of multi-channel signals, which is suitable for large equipment or complex test environments. Each programmable attenuator is assigned a unique number in the system, and the test control module interacts with each attenuator through a common external communication interface. The numbering system ensures the independence of each attenuator module, and the control module can identify different attenuators by number and perform independent or synchronous control.

[0074] The test control module is centrally managed and operated through a dedicated software platform. The software platform can automatically generate test commands based on the preset test plan and send these commands to the corresponding programmable attenuator. The software platform not only simplifies the management of complex tests, but also supports real-time data monitoring and processing. The dedicated software platform executes the test plan through automated scripts, and can automatically generate test commands based on the parameters set by the user, control the signal path selection, attenuation value adjustment, etc. of the programmable attenuator. The data during the test (such as the attenuation status of each RF channel) will be fed back to the software platform in real time, making it easier for operators to monitor the test progress.

[0075] The test system tests multi-band RF signals through programmable attenuators. Each attenuator module can adjust the signal attenuation value and select the signal path by switching the switch to test the transmission effect of different frequency band signals in various environments. During the test, the system can monitor the signal status of each RF channel in real time, including attenuation value, signal strength, and path selection. All monitoring data will be fed back to the software platform in real time, and the operator can view the test progress in real time to ensure that the test process meets expectations. After the test is completed, the system automatically generates a test report, which records each test step and result in detail.

[0076] All programmable attenuators and signal channels can be centrally managed through a dedicated software platform. Users can view the status of multiple programmable attenuators at the same time through the software interface, and adjust the attenuation value and path selection of the attenuators simultaneously or separately as needed. The system supports expansion, and the test range can be expanded by adding programmable attenuator modules. The combination of multiple attenuator modules enables the system to flexibly adapt to different scales of RF test needs, from single signal testing to multi-channel, full-band complex testing.

[0077] It is not difficult to find that this embodiment is a system embodiment corresponding to the first embodiment, and this embodiment can be implemented in conjunction with the first embodiment. The relevant technical details mentioned in the first embodiment are still valid in this embodiment, and in order to reduce repetition, they are not repeated here. Accordingly, the relevant technical details mentioned in this embodiment can also be applied in the first embodiment.

[0078] It is worth mentioning that all modules involved in this embodiment are logic modules. In practical applications, a logic unit can be a physical unit, a part of a physical unit, or a combination of multiple physical units. In addition, in order to highlight the innovative part of this application, this embodiment does not introduce units that are not closely related to solving the technical problems proposed by this application, but this does not mean that there are no other units in this embodiment.

[0079] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily mention changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims, and the above embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-restrictive.

Claims

1. A programmable attenuator for radio frequency signal testing, characterized in that: The programmable attenuator comprises: A radio frequency circuit module, wherein the radio frequency circuit module includes a first radio frequency channel, a second radio frequency channel, a third radio frequency channel and a fourth radio frequency channel; each radio frequency channel includes a first combiner, a second combiner, a first frequency band path, a second frequency band path, a third frequency band path, a plurality of radio frequency attenuator units and a plurality of switching switches; the first radio frequency channel, the second radio frequency channel, the third radio frequency channel and the fourth radio frequency channel are connected by a separator; A control circuit module, wherein the control circuit module is connected to the radio frequency circuit module and is used to send a control signal to control the radio frequency attenuator unit and the radio frequency switching switch of the radio frequency circuit module.

2. The programmable attenuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radio frequency channel includes: The first switching switch is connected to the first combiner and the second switching switch; A second switch is connected to the first combiner and the first frequency band path; A third switch is connected to the first frequency band path and the second combiner; The fourth switch is connected to the third switch and the fifth switch; The fifth switch is connected to the second combiner and the separator.

3. The programmable attenuator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first frequency band path includes three RF attenuator units; the second frequency band path and the third frequency band path include two RF attenuator units.

4. The programmable attenuator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first combiner separates the radio frequency signal into three frequency bands of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz, which correspond to the first frequency band path, the second frequency band path and the third frequency band path respectively.

5. The programmable attenuator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The attenuation value of the radio frequency attenuator unit can be adjusted in the range of 2-30dB.

6. The programmable attenuator according to claim 5, characterized in that: The control circuit module uses ATmega328 chip as the main control chip.

7. The programmable attenuator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The main control chip of the control circuit module receives commands from the UART interface, generates control signals for controlling the RF attenuator unit and the switching switch, and sets the test path and adjusts the path attenuation value according to the control signal.

8. A radio frequency signal testing system, characterized in that: The system comprises: A plurality of programmable attenuators according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the programmable attenuators are stacked to form a whole radio frequency signal testing system; A test control module is connected to the programmable attenuator and performs a test on a radio frequency signal by controlling the programmable attenuator.

9. The radio frequency signal testing system according to claim 8, characterized in that: In the radio frequency signal testing system, a number is set for each programmable attenuator, and a common external communication interface is used. The firmware identifies the number of the programmable attenuator, and controls the programmable attenuator according to the number.

10. The radio frequency signal testing system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The test control module centrally manages and operates the programmable attenuator through a dedicated software platform; the dedicated software platform automatically generates test commands according to a preset test plan and sends them to the programmable attenuator, monitors the signal attenuation status of each RF channel in real time, and generates a corresponding test report.

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