Large-scale phased array radio frequency front-end multichannel phase synchronization system and method

Abstract

The invention discloses a large-scale phased array radio frequency front-end multichannel phase synchronization system and method. The system is composed of a constant-temperature crystal oscillator, a clock splitter, a trigger synchronization signal driver, a phase synchronization local oscillator source, a local oscillator signal m-path splitter and a frequency conversion channel. The signal output end of the constant temperature crystal oscillator is connected with the input end of the clock splitter, the output end of the clock splitter is connected with the input end of the phase synchronization local oscillator source, the signal output end of the phase synchronization local oscillator source is connected with the input end of the local oscillator signal m-path splitter, and the output end of the local oscillator signal m-path splitter is connected with the input end of the frequency conversion channel. The output end of the trigger synchronization signal driver is connected with the same control input end of the phase synchronization local oscillator source. The method is realized based on the system. A trigger phase synchronous driver and a phase resynchronization phase-locked loop technology are adopted, synchronous broadband frequency conversion is achieved through consistent frequency conversion, the system structure is simple, and power consumption is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of phase synchronization, and in particular to a large-scale phased array radio frequency front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system and method. Background Art

[0002] Large-scale receiving and transmitting phased arrays enable each antenna unit to control the beam scanning so that the final beam points to a certain deviation angle. The phase consistency of each RF frequency conversion channel must be controlled within a certain error range, which requires ensuring the phase synchronization of the signals in all frequency conversion paths.

[0003] At present, the same clock and source full-phase reference is adopted, and a clock source is used for coherence to generate an local source, which is then transmitted to each sub-array through multi-channel power division using a stable amplitude and phase RF cable. Each sub-array is then power-amplified to the corresponding frequency conversion channel to achieve phase synchronization of the local oscillator signal of the entire array.

[0004] The whole array uses a local oscillator source to divide the power into branches equal to the number of antenna elements. This simple and direct method has a huge power division network, high cost, high power consumption, long detour path, and is easily disturbed by other factors, resulting in a large phase error in the phase of the local oscillator signal reaching the frequency conversion channel, which is difficult to control within a certain range.

[0005] For broadband receiving and transmitting phased arrays, broadband, high-frequency local oscillator signals are required. The traditional direct distribution method is adopted, and high-frequency, low-loss, stable amplitude and phase cables are used for long-distance traction. The entire phased array installation structure is complex, power consumption is high, weight is large, and cost is high.

[0006] Other methods use radio frequency optical fiber to branch and transmit the local oscillator source through a multi-stage optical splitter module, and amplify the output to each frequency conversion channel. This solution can solve the problem of reducing weight, but there are still problems such as high cost and high power consumption.

[0007] Therefore, how to realize large-scale broadband receiving and transmitting phased arrays and the required high-frequency local oscillator phase synchronization is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to propose a large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system and method to address the problems of the prior art that it is difficult to achieve broadband and high-frequency phase synchronization, the system installation structure is complex, the power consumption is high, the cost is high, and it is bulky.

[0009] A large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system, which is composed of a constant temperature crystal oscillator, a clock splitter, a trigger synchronization signal driver, a phase synchronization local oscillator source, a local oscillator signal m-way splitter, and a frequency conversion channel; The signal output end of the constant temperature crystal oscillator is connected to the input end of the clock splitter, the output end of the clock splitter is connected to the input end of the phase-synchronized local oscillator source, the signal output end of the phase-synchronized local oscillator source is connected to the input end of the local oscillator signal m-way splitter, the output end of the local oscillator signal m-way splitter is connected to the input end of the frequency conversion channel, and the output end of the trigger synchronization signal driver is connected to the same control input end of the phase-synchronized local oscillator source; The phase-synchronized local oscillator sources include phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2, ..., phase-synchronized local oscillator source n; The local oscillator signal m-way splitter comprises a local oscillator signal m-way splitter 1, a local oscillator signal m-way splitter 2, ... a local oscillator signal m-way splitter n; The frequency conversion channels include frequency conversion channel 1, frequency conversion channel 2...frequency conversion channels n*m.

[0010] Furthermore, in a large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system, the n output ends of the clock splitter are respectively connected to the input ends of phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2...phase-synchronized local oscillator source n.

[0011] Furthermore, a large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system, the signal output ends of the phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2...phase-synchronized local oscillator source n are respectively connected to the input ends of the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 1, local oscillator signal m-way splitter 2...local oscillator signal m-way splitter n.

[0012] Furthermore, in a large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system, the output ends of the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 1, the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 2...the local oscillator signal m-way splitter n are respectively connected to the frequency conversion channel 1, the frequency conversion channel 2...the frequency conversion channel n*m.

[0013] Furthermore, in a large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system, the trigger synchronization signal driver output end is respectively connected to the same control input end of the phase synchronization local oscillator source 1, the phase synchronization local oscillator source 2...the phase synchronization local oscillator source n.

[0014] A multi-channel phase synchronization method for a large phased array radio frequency front end, comprising the following steps: S1: The constant temperature crystal oscillator outputs the reference signal to the clock splitter, and the clock splitter constantly amplifies the reference signal; S2: The clock splitter outputs n fully coherent clock signals to the phase-synchronized local oscillator source, and the phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, the phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2, ... the phase-synchronized local oscillator source n perform frequency synthesis to generate a local oscillator signal; S3: Phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2…phase-synchronized local oscillator source n output local oscillator signals to the local oscillator signal m-way splitter, and the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 1, the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 2…the local oscillator signal m-way splitter n output n*m-way fully coherent and phase-synchronized broadband local oscillator source signals: S4: The trigger signal is input to the input terminal of the trigger synchronization signal driver, and the trigger synchronization signal driver outputs the trigger synchronization signal to the phase synchronization local oscillator source 1, the phase synchronization local oscillator source 2, ..., the phase synchronization local oscillator source n: S5: n*m fully coherent and phase-synchronized broadband local oscillator source signals are output to the frequency conversion channel, and the frequency conversion channel 1, frequency conversion channel 2...frequency conversion channel n*m output electrical signals are synchronized to the antenna unit of the phased array.

[0015] Furthermore, a multi-channel phase synchronization method for a large phased array RF front end is provided, wherein the broadband frequency hopping signal in the local oscillator signal is implemented by a phase-locked loop with a phase resynchronization function, and other point-frequency local oscillator signals are directly phase-locked.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: a large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system and method, which realizes the phase synchronization and coherence of the receiving and transmitting phased array clocks through a constant temperature crystal oscillator, a clock shunt circuit, and a trigger synchronization signal driver, generates n*m local oscillator signals required for receiving and transmitting the phased array through a phase synchronization local oscillator source, realizes the frequency hopping signal through a phase resynchronization phase-locked loop, and realizes synchronous broadband frequency conversion through multi-channel amplitude phase consistent frequency conversion, has a simple structure, and low power consumption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system.

[0018] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the phase synchronization principle of multiple local oscillator sources. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In order to have a clearer understanding of the technical features, purposes and effects of the present invention, specific embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] As attached Figure 1 As shown, a large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system is composed of a constant temperature crystal oscillator, a clock splitter, a trigger synchronization signal driver, a phase synchronization local oscillator source, a local oscillator signal m-way splitter, and a frequency conversion channel; The signal output end of the constant temperature crystal oscillator is connected to the input end of the clock splitter, the output end of the clock splitter is connected to the input end of the phase-synchronized local oscillator source, the signal output end of the phase-synchronized local oscillator source is connected to the input end of the local oscillator signal m-way splitter, the output end of the local oscillator signal m-way splitter is connected to the input end of the frequency conversion channel, and the output end of the trigger synchronization signal driver is connected to the same control input end of the phase-synchronized local oscillator source; The phase-synchronized local oscillator sources include phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2, ..., phase-synchronized local oscillator source n; The local oscillator signal m-way splitter comprises a local oscillator signal m-way splitter 1, a local oscillator signal m-way splitter 2, ... a local oscillator signal m-way splitter n; The frequency conversion channels include frequency conversion channel 1, frequency conversion channel 2...frequency conversion channels n*m.

[0021] Among them, the frequency conversion channels have high amplitude consistency between channels.

[0022] Furthermore, in a large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system, the n output ends of the clock splitter are respectively connected to the input ends of phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2...phase-synchronized local oscillator source n.

[0023] Furthermore, a large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system, the signal output ends of the phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2...phase-synchronized local oscillator source n are respectively connected to the input ends of the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 1, local oscillator signal m-way splitter 2...local oscillator signal m-way splitter n.

[0024] Furthermore, in a large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system, the output ends of the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 1, the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 2...the local oscillator signal m-way splitter n are respectively connected to the frequency conversion channel 1, the frequency conversion channel 2...the frequency conversion channel n*m.

[0025] Furthermore, in a large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system, the trigger synchronization signal driver output end is respectively connected to the same control input end of the phase synchronization local oscillator source 1, the phase synchronization local oscillator source 2...the phase synchronization local oscillator source n.

[0026] A multi-channel phase synchronization method for a large phased array radio frequency front end, comprising the following steps: S1: The constant temperature crystal oscillator outputs the reference signal to the clock splitter, and the clock splitter constantly amplifies the reference signal; S2: The clock splitter outputs n fully coherent clock signals to the phase-synchronized local oscillator source, and the phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, the phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2, ... the phase-synchronized local oscillator source n perform frequency synthesis to generate a local oscillator signal; S3: Phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2…phase-synchronized local oscillator source n output local oscillator signals to the local oscillator signal m-way splitter, and the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 1, the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 2…the local oscillator signal m-way splitter n output n*m-way fully coherent and phase-synchronized broadband local oscillator source signals: S4: The trigger signal is input to the input terminal of the trigger synchronization signal driver, and the trigger synchronization signal driver outputs the trigger synchronization signal to the phase synchronization local oscillator source 1, the phase synchronization local oscillator source 2, ..., the phase synchronization local oscillator source n: S5: n*m fully coherent and phase-synchronized broadband local oscillator source signals are output to the frequency conversion channel, and the frequency conversion channel 1, frequency conversion channel 2...frequency conversion channel n*m output electrical signals are synchronized to the antenna unit of the phased array.

[0027] Furthermore, a multi-channel phase synchronization method for a large phased array RF front end is provided, wherein the broadband frequency hopping signal in the local oscillator signal is implemented by a phase-locked loop with a phase resynchronization function, and other point-frequency local oscillator signals are directly phase-locked.

[0028] Specific embodiment 1 Constant temperature crystal oscillator principle: Within a certain range of external temperature changes, the temperature acquisition circuit inside the constant temperature crystal oscillator monitors the temperature changes in real time, and adjusts the output power of the heating circuit according to the temperature changes to ensure that the temperature is controlled within a very small range and the output and frequency changes will not affect the system's parameter signal requirements.

[0029] Principle of clock splitter: Constantly amplify the constant temperature crystal oscillator output reference signal, output multiple signals according to the required number of reference signals, and supply them to the reference input ports of each local oscillator source.

[0030] Phase synchronization local oscillator source principle: as shown in the attached Figure 2 As shown, the reference signal is first output by the constant temperature crystal oscillator, which is sent to the FPGA for internal frequency division to output multiple high-speed pulse synchronization signals of the same frequency, which are supplied to the excitation port of the synchronization signal input of each local oscillator source, and multiple local oscillator sources are triggered at the same time, so that the output local oscillator signal simultaneously outputs the local oscillator excitation signal required by the frequency conversion channel. The synchronization excitation signal allows the local oscillator source to be synchronized, so that the delay from the rising edge of the constant temperature crystal oscillator signal to the output signal is determined. Initially, the device is locked to the input, but not synchronized. The system sends a synchronization pulse, which re-locks to the next rising edge of the constant temperature crystal oscillator pulse. After a given time t1, the phase relationship from the constant temperature crystal oscillator to the required local oscillator frequency will be determined. This time is mainly determined by the VCO voltage-controlled oscillator calibration time, the PLL phase-locked loop analog setup time, and the sum used in fractional mode.

[0031] The original purpose of the frequency conversion channel is to realize spectrum shifting. Up-conversion is the process of converting the baseband signal to a higher carrier frequency through the local oscillator signal for signal transmission. Down-conversion is the process of converting the received carrier signal to an intermediate frequency signal through the local oscillator signal.

[0032] This solution uses a large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system and method, a constant temperature crystal oscillator, a clock shunt circuit, and a trigger synchronization signal driver to achieve phase synchronization and coherence of the receiving and transmitting phased array clocks. The phase synchronization local oscillator source generates the n*m ​​local oscillator signals required for receiving and transmitting the phased array. The phase resynchronization phase-locked loop realizes the frequency hopping signal. Synchronous broadband frequency conversion is achieved through multi-channel amplitude and phase consistent frequency conversion. The structure is simple and the power consumption is low.

[0033] The above shows and describes the basic principles and main features of the present invention and the advantages of the present invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are only for explaining the principles of the present invention. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention may have various changes and improvements, which fall within the scope of the present invention to be protected. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system, characterized in that: It consists of a constant temperature crystal oscillator, a clock splitter, a trigger synchronization signal driver, a phase synchronization local oscillator source, a local oscillator signal m-way splitter, and a frequency conversion channel; The signal output end of the constant temperature crystal oscillator is connected to the input end of the clock splitter, the output end of the clock splitter is connected to the input end of the phase-synchronized local oscillator source, the signal output end of the phase-synchronized local oscillator source is connected to the input end of the local oscillator signal m-way splitter, the output end of the local oscillator signal m-way splitter is connected to the input end of the frequency conversion channel, and the output end of the trigger synchronization signal driver is connected to the same control input end of the phase-synchronized local oscillator source; The phase-synchronized local oscillator sources include phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2, ..., phase-synchronized local oscillator source n; The local oscillator signal m-way splitter comprises a local oscillator signal m-way splitter 1, a local oscillator signal m-way splitter 2, ... a local oscillator signal m-way splitter n; The frequency conversion channels include frequency conversion channel 1, frequency conversion channel 2...frequency conversion channels n*m.

2. A large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The n output ends of the clock splitter are respectively connected to the input ends of the phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, the phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2, ..., the phase-synchronized local oscillator source n.

3. A large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The signal output ends of the phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, the phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2, ... the phase-synchronized local oscillator source n are respectively connected to the input ends of the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 1, the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 2, ... the local oscillator signal m-way splitter n.

4. A large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The output ends of the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 1, the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 2 ... the local oscillator signal m-way splitter n are respectively connected to the frequency conversion channel 1, the frequency conversion channel 2 ... the frequency conversion channel n*m.

5. A large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The output end of the trigger synchronization signal driver is respectively connected to the same control input end of the phase synchronization local oscillator source 1, the phase synchronization local oscillator source 2...the phase synchronization local oscillator source n.

6. A large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization method, based on a large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The steps are: S1: The constant temperature crystal oscillator outputs the reference signal to the clock splitter, and the clock splitter constantly amplifies the reference signal; S2: The clock splitter outputs n fully coherent clock signals to the phase-synchronized local oscillator source, and the phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, the phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2, ... the phase-synchronized local oscillator source n perform frequency synthesis to generate a local oscillator signal; S3: Phase-synchronized local oscillator source 1, phase-synchronized local oscillator source 2…phase-synchronized local oscillator source n output local oscillator signals to the local oscillator signal m-way splitter, and the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 1, the local oscillator signal m-way splitter 2…the local oscillator signal m-way splitter n output n*m-way fully coherent and phase-synchronized broadband local oscillator source signals: S4: The trigger signal is input to the input terminal of the trigger synchronization signal driver, and the trigger synchronization signal driver outputs the trigger synchronization signal to the phase synchronization local oscillator source 1, the phase synchronization local oscillator source 2, ..., the phase synchronization local oscillator source n: S5: n*m fully coherent and phase-synchronized broadband local oscillator source signals are output to the frequency conversion channel, and the frequency conversion channel 1, frequency conversion channel 2...frequency conversion channel n*m output electrical signals are synchronized to the antenna unit of the phased array.

7. A large-scale phased array RF front-end multi-channel phase synchronization method as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The broadband frequency hopping signal in the local oscillator signal is realized by using a phase-locked loop with a phase resynchronization function, and other point-frequency local oscillator signals are realized by direct phase locking.

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