A Miniaturized X-Band Dual-Channel Transceiver Front-End Module

Abstract

The present invention discloses a miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module, comprising: two small-signal frequency conversion units with the same link, respectively used for two transceiver channels, to secondarily down-convert the received X-band radio frequency signal to an intermediate frequency signal, and secondarily up-convert the intermediate frequency signal to an X-band radio frequency signal for output to a power amplification unit; two high-power amplification units with the same link, respectively used for two transceiver channels, to amplify and output the X-band radio frequency signal output by the small-signal frequency conversion unit; a local oscillator power distribution unit, used to distribute the first local oscillator signal and the second local oscillator signal and respectively input them to two small-signal frequency conversion units with the same link; the small-signal frequency conversion units, high-power amplification units of two transceiver channels and the local oscillator power distribution unit are integrally integrated on a board, and the small-signal frequency conversion units and high-power amplification units of two transceiver channels are arranged in zones. The present invention has the advantages of miniaturization, easy production, high integration degree and power upgrade space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of radar, and particularly relates to a miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module. Background Art

[0002] In the field of radar, the radio frequency front-end is an important part of the radar digital transceiver link. During reception, it performs low-noise amplification, frequency conversion, and image signal suppression of the target reflection signal; during transmission, it performs frequency conversion and power amplification, and radiates signals to the target space through the radar antenna unit. Traditional transceiver front-end modules mostly use packaged devices, which occupy a large volume, and the front-end and the frequency conversion link are mostly designed separately, with low integration, narrow frequency bands of the output signals, and poor module versatility. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module that is easy to produce, has high integration, and has room for power upgrade, aiming at the technical problems of large volume, large size, and low integration existing in traditional transceiver front-end modules.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, one aspect of the present invention provides a miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module, including:

[0005] Two small-signal frequency conversion units with the same link, respectively used for two transceiver channels, to secondarily down-convert the received X-band radio frequency signal to an intermediate frequency signal, and secondarily up-convert the intermediate frequency signal to an X-band radio frequency signal and output it to the power amplification unit;

[0006] Two high-power amplification units with the same link, respectively used for two transceiver channels, to amplify and output the X-band radio frequency signal output by the small-signal frequency conversion unit;

[0007] A local oscillator power distribution unit, used to distribute the first local oscillator signal and the second local oscillator signal and input them to two small-signal frequency conversion units with the same link respectively;

[0008] The small-signal frequency conversion units, high-power amplification units of the two transceiver channels and the local oscillator power distribution unit are integrated on the whole board, and the small-signal frequency conversion units and high-power amplification units of the two transceiver channels are arranged in zones.

[0009] Preferably, the two small-signal frequency conversion units with the same link sequentially include:

[0010] A circulator isolator, used to prevent the reflected signal interference in the two transceiver channels;

[0011] A first limiter, used to limit the received X-band radio frequency signal;

[0012] A first amplifier, used to amplify the received X-band radio frequency signal;

[0013] The first single-pole double-throw switch is used to switch the receiving and transmitting states of two transceiver channels, improving the transceiver isolation of the channels;

[0014] The first filter is used to suppress the high-order intermodulation signals generated during mixing in the transmitting state and to suppress the high-order harmonic signals generated during the amplification of the X-band RF signal in the receiving state;

[0015] The first bidirectional amplifier is used to amplify the received or transmitted X-band RF signal;

[0016] The second filter is used to suppress the high-order intermodulation signals generated during mixing in the transmitting state and to suppress the high-order harmonic signals generated during the amplification of the X-band RF signal in the receiving state;

[0017] The first mixer with local oscillator amplification is used to down-convert the X-band RF signal to an intermediate signal in the receiving state and to up-convert the intermediate signal to the X-band RF signal in the transmitting state;

[0018] The third filter is used to suppress the high-order intermodulation signals generated during mixing;

[0019] The second bidirectional amplifier is used to amplify the received or transmitted intermediate signal;

[0020] The fourth filter is used to suppress the high-order intermodulation signals generated during mixing;

[0021] The second mixer with local oscillator amplification is used to down-convert the intermediate signal to an intermediate frequency signal in the receiving state and to up-convert the intermediate frequency signal to the intermediate signal in the transmitting state;

[0022] The fifth filter is used to suppress the spurs of the input intermediate frequency signal in the transmitting state and to suppress the high-order intermodulation signals generated during mixing in the receiving state.

[0023] Preferably, the two high-power amplification units with the same link include a second amplifier and a third amplifier connected in sequence, which are used to amplify the X-band RF signal input to the high-power amplification unit through the first single-pole double-throw switch in the transmitting state in sequence.

[0024] Preferably, the third amplifier is a power amplifier, and the third amplifier and its peripheral power supply circuit are integrated on a single chip.

[0025] Preferably, the local oscillator power splitting unit includes: a first power splitter and a second power splitter, which are respectively used to split the first local oscillator signal and the second local oscillator signal and input them to two small-signal frequency conversion units with the same link.

[0026] The miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module in the above aspect of the present invention has the advantages of miniaturization, easy production, high integration, and room for power upgrade. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] An embodiment of the present invention provides a miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module, Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module according to an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 1 shown, the miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module according to the embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0031] Two small-signal frequency conversion units with the same link, which are used to secondarily down-convert the X-band radio frequency signals received by the two transceiver channels to intermediate frequency signals, and secondarily up-convert the intermediate frequency signals to X-band radio frequency signals and output them to the power amplification unit. The two small-signal frequency conversion units with the same link are respectively used for the two transceiver channels;

[0032] Two high-power amplification units with the same link, which are used to further amplify and output the X-band radio frequency signals output by the small-signal frequency conversion unit. The two power amplification units with the same link are respectively used for the two transceiver channels;

[0033] A local oscillator power splitting unit, which is used to split the first local oscillator signal and the second local oscillator signal and input them to the small-signal frequency conversion units of the two transceiver channels.

[0034] The miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module according to the embodiment of the present invention adopts a whole-board integration and functional partition layout method, integrating the small-signal frequency conversion units, high-power amplification units and local oscillator power distribution units of the two transceiver channels on the whole board, greatly simplifying the production and assembly process; the small-signal frequency conversion units and high-power amplification units of the two transceiver channels are partitioned, and the high-power amplification units adopt a chip-mounted assembly method to achieve a partitioned design of receive-transmit and small-signal-high-power.

[0035] Among them, the two small-signal frequency conversion units with the same link include:

[0036] Circulator isolator A1, used to enable the two transceiver channels to prevent reflected signal interference.

[0037] First limiter A2, used to limit the received RF signal so that the two transceiver channels can withstand a larger received RF signal.

[0038] First amplifier A3, used to amplify the small signals received by the two transceiver channels.

[0039] First single-pole double-throw switch (SPDT) A4, used to switch the receive and transmit states of the two transceiver channels to improve the channel transceiver isolation.

[0040] First filter (LPF) A5, used to further suppress the high-order intermodulation signals generated during the second mixing in the transmit state (transmit mode), and play a certain role in suppressing the high-order harmonic signals generated when amplifying the X-band RF receive signal in the receive state (receive mode).

[0041] First bidirectional amplifier A6, used to amplify the received or transmitted X-band RF signal.

[0042] Second filter A7, used to play a certain role in suppressing the high-order intermodulation signals generated during the second mixing in the transmit state, and play a certain role in suppressing the high-order harmonic signals generated when amplifying the X-band RF receive signal in the receive state.

[0043] First mixer with local oscillator amplification A8, used to down-convert the X-band receive signal to the L-band signal (intermediate signal 1) in the receive state, and up-convert the L-band transmit signal to the X-band in the transmit state.

[0044] Third filter A9, used to play a certain role in suppressing the high-order intermodulation signals generated during the first mixing in the receive state, and play a certain role in suppressing the high-order intermodulation signals generated during the second mixing in the transmit state.

[0045] Second bidirectional amplifier A10, used to amplify the received or transmitted L-band RF signal.

[0046] The fourth filter A11 is used to suppress the high-order intermodulation signals generated during the first reception mixing in the reception state and suppress the high-order intermodulation signals generated during the second transmission mixing in the transmission state.

[0047] The second local oscillator-amplified mixer A12 is used to down-convert the L-band received signal to an intermediate frequency signal or up-convert the intermediate frequency signal to the L-band.

[0048] The fifth filter A13 is used to suppress the spurs of the intermediate frequency input signal in the transmission state and suppress the high-order intermodulation signals generated during the second mixing in the reception state.

[0049] Two identical high-power amplification units of the link include: the second amplifier A16 and the third amplifier A17, which are connected in sequence. After the first single-pole double-throw switch A4 selects the transmission state, the intermediate frequency signal is frequency-converted to the X-band radio frequency signal twice and input to the high-power amplification unit through the first single-pole double-throw switch A4 for further amplification and output.

[0050] Among them, the third amplifier A17 is a power amplifier, and the third amplifier A17 and its peripheral power supply circuit are integrated on a carrier wafer.

[0051] The local oscillator power distribution unit includes: the first power divider A14 and the second power divider A15, which are used to distribute the first local oscillator signal and the second local oscillator signal and input them to two identical small-signal frequency conversion units of the link respectively.

[0052] In the reception operating mode, the first amplifier A3 is normally powered, the third amplifier A17 is not powered and does not work, and the first single-pole double-throw switch A4, the first bidirectional amplifier A6, and the second bidirectional amplifier A10 are switched to the reception state. The radio frequency signal passes through the circulator isolator A1 and then enters in sequence: the first limiter A2, which is used to limit the received signal to protect the subsequent link; the first amplifier A3, which is used to amplify the X-band received signal; the first single-pole double-throw switch A4, which is used to select the reception channel and provide a certain transceiver isolation; the first filter A5, which is used to filter out the harmonic spurs generated by the previous stage amplification; the first bidirectional amplifier A6, which further amplifies the received signal; the second filter A7, which is used to filter out the harmonic spurs generated by the previous stage amplification; after passing through the first mixer A8, the signal is frequency-converted to an intermediate signal, and then enters in sequence the third filter A9, which is used to filter out the intermodulation spurs generated after mixing; the second bidirectional amplifier A10, which further amplifies the intermediate received signal; the fourth filter A11, which is used to filter out the intermodulation spurs generated after mixing; after passing through the second mixer A12, the intermediate signal is frequency-converted to an intermediate frequency signal, and after passing through the fifth filter A13 to filter out the spurs generated by the second mixing, it is output.

[0053] In the transmitting operating mode, the third amplifier A17 is normally powered, the first amplifier A3 is not powered and does not work, and the first single-pole double-throw switch A4, the first bidirectional amplifier A6, and the second bidirectional amplifier A10 are switched to the transmitting state. After the intermediate-frequency signal enters the fifth filter A13 to filter out the spurs of the input signal, it is frequency-converted into a first intermediate signal after passing through the second mixer A12. After passing through the fourth filter A11 to filter out the intermodulation spurs generated by frequency conversion, it enters the second bidirectional amplifier A10. The transmitted signal is amplified and enters the third filter A9. After filtering out the intermodulation spurs generated by frequency conversion, it is frequency-converted into a radio-frequency signal after passing through the first mixer A8. It enters the second filter A7 to filter out the intermodulation spurs generated by the second mixing, enters the first bidirectional amplifier A6 to further amplify the radio-frequency transmitted signal, enters the first filter A5 to filter out the intermodulation spurs generated by the second mixing, passes through the first single-pole double-throw switch A4, enters the second amplifier A16 and then enters the third amplifier A17 to amplify and output a high-power radio-frequency signal in the X-band, and is output after passing through the circulator isolator A1.

[0054] In summary, the miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module of the embodiment of the present invention has functions such as transceiver switching, amplification, filtering, frequency conversion, and power splitting. The frequency-conversion link and the power-amplification link are integrated into one module in an integrated design. The layout method of functional zoning, whole-board integration, and movable partition walls is adopted to simplify the production and assembly process, reduce the module volume, and improve the module integration degree on the premise of ensuring channel isolation; the partition wall adopts the layout method of movable partition walls to improve the module integration degree on the premise of ensuring channel isolation; the high-power amplification and small-signal frequency-conversion are designed in partitions. The high-power amplifier adopts the chip-mounted assembly method, and a heat dissipation structure is reserved inside the module. The output power of the module can be increased by replacing the higher-power power amplifier chip without changing the overall layout design of the module; the small-signal frequency conversion adopts a broadband link, and a frequency expansion space is reserved. The module frequency can be expanded by replacing filters with different operating frequency bands. The transmitting link can be upgraded in power by replacing different power amplifier chips, greatly improving the versatility of the module.

[0055] The miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module of the embodiment of the present invention can be used as a general module for X-band transceiver front-ends, solving the problems of traditional transceiver front-end modules that mostly use packaged devices, occupy a large volume, have a low integration degree, a narrow frequency band of the output signal, and poor module versatility. It can achieve a transmitting output power of 20W within the X-band, a transmitting channel efficiency greater than 40%, a transmitting spurious suppression greater than 65dBc, a receiving gain of 30dB, a dual-channel transmitting amplitude consistency less than 0.5dB, an inter-channel isolation greater than 60dBc. The module has a power upgrade space and a frequency expansion space, with dimensions of 90mm×36mm×12mm, strong versatility, and characteristics such as miniaturization, high integration, and high performance, and has certain application value in the radar field.

[0056] Only some exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described by way of illustration. Without doubt, for those of ordinary skill in the art, the described embodiments can be modified in various different ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the above drawings and description are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module, characterized in that: include: The same small signal frequency conversion units of the two links are used for the two transceiver channels respectively, and the received X-band RF signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency signal for a second time, and the intermediate frequency signal is up-converted to an X-band RF signal for a second time and output to the power amplifier unit; The same high-power amplifier units in the two links are used for the two transceiver channels respectively to amplify and output the X-band RF signal output by the small signal frequency conversion unit; A local oscillator power splitting unit, used for splitting the first local oscillator signal and the second local oscillator signal and inputting them to two small signal frequency conversion units with the same link respectively; The small signal frequency conversion units, high power amplifier units and local oscillator power division units of the two transceiver channels are integrated on the whole board, and the small signal frequency conversion units and high power amplifier units of the two transceiver channels are partitioned.

2. The miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The small signal frequency conversion units of the two links are the same as follows: Ring isolator, used to prevent reflected signal interference between two transmit and receive channels; A first limiter, used for limiting the received X-band radio frequency signal; A first amplifier, used to amplify the received X-band radio frequency signal; The first single-pole double-throw switch is used to switch the receiving and transmitting states of the two transceiver channels to improve the channel transceiver isolation; The first filter is used to suppress the high-order intermodulation signal generated during the mixing in the transmitting state, and suppress the high-order harmonic signal generated during the amplification of the X-band radio frequency signal in the receiving state; A first bidirectional amplifier, used to amplify a received or transmitted X-band radio frequency signal; The second filter is used to suppress the high-order intermodulation signal generated during the mixing in the transmitting state, and suppress the high-order harmonic signal generated when the X-band RF signal is amplified in the receiving state; A first mixer with local oscillator amplification is used to down-convert the X-band radio frequency signal to an intermediate signal in a receiving state, and up-convert the intermediate signal to an X-band radio frequency signal in a transmitting state; A third filter is used to suppress high-order intermodulation signals generated during mixing; A second bidirectional amplifier is used to amplify a received or transmitted signal; A fourth filter, used to suppress high-order intermodulation signals generated during frequency mixing; A second mixer with local oscillator amplification is used to down-convert an intermediate signal to an intermediate frequency signal in a receiving state, and up-convert the intermediate frequency signal to an intermediate signal in a transmitting state; The fifth filter is used to suppress the spurious signals of the input intermediate frequency signal in the transmitting state, and to suppress the high-order intermodulation signals generated during the mixing in the receiving state.

3. The miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The high-power amplifying units with the same two links include a second amplifier and a third amplifier connected in sequence, which are used to sequentially amplify the X-band radio frequency signal input to the high-power amplifying unit through the first single-pole double-throw switch in the transmitting state.

4. The miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The third amplifier is a power amplifier, and the third amplifier and its peripheral power supply circuit are integrated on a carrier chip.

5. The miniaturized X-band dual-channel transceiver front-end module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The local oscillator power splitting unit comprises: a first power splitter and a second power splitter, which are respectively used to split the first local oscillator signal and the second local oscillator signal and then input them to two small signal frequency conversion units with the same link.

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