Multi-channel down converter

Abstract

The invention discloses a multi-channel down converter, which belongs to the technical field of microwave frequency conversion and comprises a hollow shell, a partition plate, 8-24 down conversion units horizontally arranged in parallel, a local oscillation component, a one-to-more power divider and a power supply and signal control component. Each down-conversion unit is fixedly assembled at the top of the partition plate, the local oscillator assembly is fixedly assembled below the partition plate, the one-to-multiple power divider is fixedly assembled in the partition plate, and the power supply and signal control assembly is fixedly connected below the partition plate. The partition plate is provided with a plurality of first through holes and a plurality of second through holes, a radio frequency insulator is arranged in each first through hole in a penetrating manner, and a flat cable is arranged in each second through hole in a penetrating manner; two ends of each radio frequency insulator are respectively connected with the one-to-many power divider and the down-conversion unit, and two ends of each flat cable are respectively connected with the down-conversion unit and the power supply and signal control assembly. The number of down-conversion channels is increased, all the assemblies are reasonably arranged and conveniently connected, and the whole device is compact in structure and high in integration degree.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of microwave frequency conversion, and in particular to a multi-channel down converter. Background Art

[0002] A downconverter is a device that reduces the signal carrier frequency or directly removes the signal carrier frequency to obtain a baseband signal. It is often used in receiving systems. Its working principle is to multiply the received signal with the local oscillator signal generated by the local oscillator, and then obtain the frequency-converted signal through a low-pass filter.

[0003] With the development of radar technology, digital phased array radars are being used more and more widely. Digital phased array radars use a large number of individually controlled small antenna units arranged into an antenna array. Each antenna unit is controlled by an independent phase shift switch. The signals are received by controlling each antenna unit and processed through a downconverter to synthesize beams with different phases.

[0004] The current application field of digital phased array radar is gradually expanding from the ground to the ocean and the sky. According to the requirements of its actual application, in order to reduce the load of ships and aircraft, the required digital phased array radar needs to meet the requirements of high integration and miniaturization while ensuring the high channelization of its downconverter. However, the downconverter in the prior art is usually single-channel, dual-channel or triple-channel, and the channels are few and the scattered functional modules are connected by cables. In order to meet the needs of multi-channel downconverters required by digital phased array radars, multiple existing downconverters need to be assembled and connected, which will reduce the integration of digital phased array radars, thereby increasing the occupied space and mass, and cannot meet the development requirements of high integration and miniaturization of digital phased array radars. Summary of the invention

[0005] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a multi-channel down-converter to address the above technical problems. The down-converter has a large number of channels and a high degree of integration, which can meet the needs of ships and aircraft for digital phased array radars.

[0006] The present invention provides a multi-channel down converter, comprising: Hollow shell; A partition, which is fixedly assembled horizontally in the middle of the shell; The down-conversion assembly includes 8 to 24 down-conversion units arranged horizontally in parallel, and each down-conversion unit is fixedly mounted on the top of the partition; A local oscillator assembly is used to generate and amplify a local oscillator signal, and the local oscillator assembly is fixedly mounted below the partition; A one-to-many power splitter is used to split the amplified local oscillator signal into multiple signals with equal power and the same number as the number of down-conversion units. The one-to-many power splitter is fixedly assembled inside the partition, and the joint of the one-to-many power splitter is connected to the output end of the local oscillator component through a radio frequency cable; A power supply and signal control component, the power supply and signal control component is fixedly connected below the partition; The partition is provided with a plurality of first through holes and a plurality of second through holes, the number of which is the same as the number of the down-conversion units, a radio frequency insulator is penetrated in each first through hole, and a wiring is penetrated in each second through hole; One end of each RF insulator is connected to a branch port of a multi-power splitter, the other end of each RF insulator is connected to a down-conversion unit, one end of each cable is plug-in connected to a down-conversion unit, and the other end of each cable is connected to the power supply and signal control component.

[0007] In one embodiment, the local oscillator component includes a local oscillator signal source and a power amplifier. The local oscillator signal source is connected to the power supply and signal control component. The RF output interface of the local oscillator signal source and the input end of the power amplifier, as well as the output end of the power amplifier and the junction of the one-to-many power splitter are all connected through a RF cable.

[0008] In one embodiment, the power supply and signal control assembly includes a power board, a drive board and a control board, the control board is fixedly assembled on the bottom inner side of the shell, the drive board is fixedly connected to the bottom of the partition, and the power board is fixedly connected to the bottom of the drive board; The cable is plugged and connected to the driver board; The down-conversion unit, the local oscillator signal source, the power amplifier, the driving board and the control board are all electrically connected to the power board, and the control board is electrically connected to the driving board.

[0009] In one embodiment, the power board is connected to an external single DC power supply and is used to convert the voltage of the single DC power supply into multiple voltages to respectively power the down-conversion unit, the local oscillator signal source, the power amplifier, the driving board and the control board.

[0010] In one of the embodiments, a groove and a cover plate are provided at the bottom of the partition, the one-to-many power splitter is assembled in the groove, and the cover plate is fixedly connected to the top of the groove.

[0011] In one embodiment, two opposite side walls of the hollow shell are provided with third through holes and fourth through holes whose center points are on the same straight line and whose number is equal to the number of down-conversion units, the RF interface end of each down-conversion unit extends out of the hollow shell from one of the third through holes, the IF interface end of each down-conversion unit extends out of the hollow shell from one of the fourth through holes, and the RF interface end and the IF interface end of each down-conversion unit are fixedly connected to a radio frequency connector; The radio frequency connector connected to the RF interface end is used to connect to an external antenna, and the radio frequency connector connected to the IF interface end is used to connect to a digital processing module.

[0012] In one of the embodiments, the radio frequency insulator is connected to the LO local oscillator input interface terminal of the down-conversion unit.

[0013] In one of the embodiments, a rectangular connector is fixedly disposed on the outer side of a side wall of the hollow shell, and the rectangular connector is electrically connected to both the control board and the power board.

[0014] In one embodiment, handles are fixedly connected to the outer sides of two opposite side walls of the hollow housing where the RF connector is not installed; A support plate and a plurality of support columns are also provided inside the hollow shell. The support plate abuts against the inner side of the bottom of the hollow shell, and the support columns are vertically fixedly connected between the partition plate and the support plate.

[0015] In one of the embodiments, the radio frequency insulator is fixedly connected to the one-to-many power splitter and the down-conversion unit by soldering; The flat cable is fixedly connected to the down-conversion unit and the power supply and signal control component by soldering.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: (1) In the present invention, the down-conversion assembly, the local oscillator assembly, and the power supply and signal control assembly are connected in layers into a whole through a partition. The down-conversion assembly located on the upper layer of the partition is hard-connected to the one-to-multi-power splitter connected to the local oscillator assembly and arranged inside the partition through a radio frequency insulator, and is hard-connected to the power supply and signal control assembly located on the lower layer of the partition through a wiring harness. The various components are rationally arranged in layers and connected into a whole through the partition, thereby making full use of the space, making the structure of the entire down-converter more compact, and improving the degree of integration.

[0017] (2) The down-conversion unit and the one-to-many power splitter as well as the power supply and signal control components are connected by hard connection, which reduces the connection complexity, improves the connection reliability, reduces interference, and facilitates manufacturing and maintenance.

[0018] (3) The multi-channel down-converter of the present invention has 8 to 24 down-conversion units, which can down-convert multiple received signals at the same time, and can meet the needs of ships and aircraft for digital phased array radars. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a multi-channel down converter provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a top view structure; Figure 3for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cross-section structure along the AA plane; Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the plane where the axes of all radio frequency insulators are located; Figure 5 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along plane BB; Figure 6 One of the internal structure schematic diagrams of the multi-channel down converter provided by the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the assembly relationship between the down-conversion unit and the partition provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the assembly relationship between the local oscillator assembly and the partition provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the connection relationship between the partition and the wiring, the radio frequency insulator and the driving board provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Fig.10 for Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of the cross-section structure along the CC plane; Fig.11 for Fig. 9 Another angle structural diagram; Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of a first through hole and a second through hole on a partition provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the assembly relationship between a one-to-many power splitter and a partition provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Fig.14 A principle block diagram of a multi-channel down converter provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Explanation of the reference numerals: 100, hollow shell; 200, partition; 210, first through hole; 220, second through hole; 230, RF insulator; 240, cable arrangement; 250, groove; 260, cover plate; 300, down-conversion component; 310, down-conversion unit; 400, local oscillator component; 410, local oscillator signal source; 420, power amplifier; 500, one-to-many power divider; 600, power supply and signal control component; 610, power board; 620, drive board; 630, control board; 700, RF connector; 800, rectangular connector; 900, support plate; 910, support column; 920, handle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, orientation or position relationship is based on the attached Figure 1 Regarding the orientation or positional relationship shown, it should be understood that these orientation terms are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0023] In one embodiment, Figures 1 to 8 As shown, the multi-channel down converter of this embodiment includes: The hollow shell 100 is composed of a bottom plate, a top plate, and side plates surrounding the bottom plate and the top plate, and a mounting cavity is formed inside.

[0024] The partition plate 200 is horizontally fixedly assembled in the middle of the shell. Specifically, the partition plate 200 divides the hollow shell 100 into a first installation cavity and a second installation cavity in upper and lower layers.

[0025] The down-conversion assembly 300 includes 8 to 24 down-conversion units 310 arranged horizontally in parallel, and each down-conversion unit 310 is fixedly assembled on the top of the partition 200 .

[0026] Exemplarily, the down-conversion component 300 in this embodiment includes 16 down-conversion units 310, and the 16 down-conversion units 310 are adjacent to each other. The function of the down-conversion unit 310 is to receive external antenna signals. The channel down-converter of this embodiment has multiple channels, and can simultaneously down-convert multiple received signals, which can meet the needs of ships and aircraft for digital phased array radars.

[0027] The local oscillator assembly 400 is used to generate and amplify the local oscillator signal. The local oscillator assembly 400 is fixedly mounted below the partition 200 .

[0028] The one-to-many power splitter 500 is used to split the amplified local oscillator signal into multiple signals with equal power and the same number as the down-conversion unit 310. The one-to-many power splitter 500 is fixedly assembled inside the partition 200, and the joint of the one-to-many power splitter 500 is connected to the output end of the local oscillator component 400 through a radio frequency cable.

[0029] The power supply and signal control component 600 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the partition 200. The power supply and signal control component 600 is used to supply power to the down-conversion component 300 and the local oscillator component 400 and control the transmission of the radio frequency signal.

[0030] like Figures 9 to 13As shown, in this embodiment, the partition 200 is provided with a plurality of first through holes 210 and a plurality of second through holes 220, the number of which is the same as the number of the down-conversion unit 310, and a radio frequency insulator 230 is arranged through each first through hole 210, and a wiring 240 is arranged through each second through hole 220.

[0031] It should be noted that the first through hole 210 is a cylindrical circular hole, the second through hole 220 is a strip cylindrical hole, and the center points of the plurality of first through holes 210 and the plurality of second through holes 220 are arranged in a straight line.

[0032] One end of each RF insulator 230 is connected to a branch port of the one-to-multi-power divider 500, the other end of each RF insulator 230 is connected to a down-conversion unit 310, one end of each cable 240 is plug-connected to a down-conversion unit 310, and the other end of each cable 240 is connected to the power supply and signal control component 600.

[0033] Specifically, the radio frequency insulator 230 is connected to the microstrip substrate of the down-conversion unit 310 .

[0034] The down-conversion component 300 is hard-connected to the multi-power splitter 500 via the RF insulator 230, and is hard-connected to the power supply and signal control component 600 via the wiring 240. The components are rationally arranged in layers and connected into a whole through the partition 200, which makes full use of the space, makes the structure of the entire down-converter more compact, and improves the degree of integration. The down-conversion unit 310 is connected to the multi-power splitter 500 and the power supply and signal control component 600 by hard connection, which reduces the connection complexity, can improve the connection reliability, reduce interference, and facilitate manufacturing and maintenance.

[0035] In one embodiment, the local oscillator component 400 includes a local oscillator signal source 410 and a power amplifier 420. The local oscillator signal source 410 is connected to the power supply and signal control component 600. The RF output interface of the local oscillator signal source 410 and the input end of the power amplifier 420, as well as the output end of the power amplifier 420 and the combined end of the one-to-many power splitter 500 are all connected via a RF cable.

[0036] Among them, the model of the RF cable is SMA-JJ.

[0037] In one embodiment, the power supply and signal control component 600 includes a power board 610, a drive board 620 and a control board 630. The control board 630 is fixedly assembled on the bottom inner side of the shell, the drive board 620 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the partition 200, and the power board 610 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the drive board 620; the flat cable 240 is plugged and connected to the drive board 620; the down-conversion unit 310, the local oscillator signal source 410, the power amplifier 420, the drive board 620 and the control board 630 are all electrically connected to the power board 610, and the control board 630 is electrically connected to the drive board 620.

[0038] Specifically, the power board 610 is connected to an external single DC power supply, and is used to convert the voltage of the single DC power supply into multiple voltages, which are used to supply power to the down-conversion unit 310, the local oscillator signal source 410, the power amplifier 420, the driving board 620 and the control board 630. The control board 630 is used to receive an external control signal and send a control signal to the down-conversion component 300 through the driving board 620, thereby realizing the functions of phase controllability, amplitude controllability and high power output. The driving board 620 plays a switching role, simplifies the connection between the control board 630 and the down-conversion component 300, and is used to branch the voltage uniformly transmitted by the power board 610 and supply each down-conversion unit 310 respectively.

[0039] In one embodiment, a groove 250 and a cover plate 260 are provided at the bottom of the partition 200, and the one-to-multiple power splitter 500 is assembled in the groove 250, and the cover plate 260 is fixedly connected to the top of the groove 250. The one-to-multiple power splitter 500 is assembled in the groove 250 to further improve space utilization and improve the integration of the entire device.

[0040] In one embodiment, two opposite side walls of the hollow shell 100 are provided with third through holes and fourth through holes whose center points are on the same straight line and whose number is equal to the number of the down-conversion units 310. The RF interface end of each down-conversion unit 310 extends out of the hollow shell 100 from a third through hole, and the IF interface end of each down-conversion unit 310 extends out of the hollow shell 100 from a fourth through hole. The RF interface end and the IF interface end of each down-conversion unit 310 are fixedly connected to an RF connector 700. The RF insulator 230 is connected to the LO local oscillator input interface end of the down-conversion unit 310.

[0041] In this embodiment, the multi-channel down converter of this embodiment is used to amplify, filter, convert and process the microwave signal received from the external antenna and then output it through the IF interface.

[0042] Specifically, the model of the RF connector 700 in this embodiment is SMA-50K. The RF connector 700 is located outside the hollow housing 100, and the RF connector 700 connected to the RF interface end is used to connect to an external antenna, and the RF connector 700 connected to the IF interface end is used to connect to a digital processing module.

[0043] In one embodiment, a rectangular connector 800 is fixedly disposed on the outer side of one side wall of the hollow housing 100, and the rectangular connector 800 is electrically connected to both the control board 630 and the power board 610. The rectangular connector 800 is used to provide an external control signal to the control board 630 and to supply power to the power board.

[0044] In one of the embodiments, handles 920 are fixedly connected to the outer sides of two opposite side walls of the hollow shell 100 where the RF connector 700 is not installed; a support plate 900 and a plurality of support columns 910 are also provided inside the hollow shell 100, the support plate 900 abuts against the inner side of the bottom of the hollow shell 100, and the support columns 910 are vertically fixedly connected between the partition 200 and the support plate 900.

[0045] In one embodiment, the RF insulator 230 is fixedly connected to the one-to-many power splitter 500 and the down-conversion unit 310 by soldering; the flat cable 240 is fixedly connected to the down-conversion unit 310 and the power supply and signal control component 600 by soldering. The soldering connection method can increase the tightness of the connection.

[0046] Specifically, the flat cable 240 is fixedly connected to the driving board 620 by soldering.

[0047] In a specific embodiment, each down-conversion unit 310 includes a down-conversion cavity, a down-conversion cover, a microstrip substrate in the down-conversion cavity, and a low-noise amplifier, a digitally controlled attenuator, a down-conversion power amplifier, a radio frequency filter, a mixer, an intermediate frequency filter, an intermediate frequency amplifier, and a low-pass filter that are connected in sequence and fixed on the microstrip substrate. The principle block diagram of the multi-channel down-converter of the present invention is shown in FIG. Fig.14 As shown. The LO local oscillator input interface end of the down-conversion unit 310 is a mixer interface end, and the mixer interface end is connected to a one-to-many power splitter 500. Among them, the low noise amplifier is connected to the RF interface before, and the low pass filter is connected to the IF interface after. The down converter of this embodiment has both amplitude phase adjustment and down conversion functions, and can be applied to a digital phased array system.

[0048] Specifically, in order to better protect the various components in the hollow shell 100 and avoid premature oxidation, etc., the connection method between the down-conversion unit, the local oscillator signal source 410, the power amplifier 420 and the partition 200 and the bottom plate, cover plate 260 and side plate of the hollow shell 100 in this embodiment is laser sealing. This sealing method has good effect and can be waterproof and moisture-proof, thereby increasing the service life.

[0049] The multi-channel down-converter of this embodiment not only increases the number of down-conversion channels, but also has reasonable arrangement of various components, convenient connection, and a compact structure and high integration of the entire device.

[0050] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A multi-channel down converter, characterized in that: include: A hollow shell (100); A partition (200), the partition (200) being horizontally fixedly assembled in the middle of the shell; A down-conversion component (300), the down-conversion component (300) comprising 8 to 24 down-conversion units (310) arranged horizontally in parallel, each of the down-conversion units (310) being fixedly mounted on the top of the partition (200); A local oscillator component (400) is used to generate and amplify a local oscillator signal, and the local oscillator component (400) is fixedly mounted below the partition (200); A one-to-many power splitter (500) is used to split the amplified local oscillator signal into a plurality of signals of equal power and the same number as the down-conversion unit (310), the one-to-many power splitter (500) is fixedly mounted inside the partition (200), and the joint of the one-to-many power splitter (500) is connected to the output end of the local oscillator component (400) via a radio frequency cable; A power supply and signal control component (600), wherein the power supply and signal control component (600) is fixedly connected below the partition (200); The partition (200) is provided with a plurality of first through holes (210) and a plurality of second through holes (220) whose number is the same as the number of the down-conversion units (310); a radio frequency insulator (230) is disposed through each of the first through holes (210); and a wiring arrangement (240) is disposed through each of the second through holes (220); One end of each of the radio frequency insulators (230) is connected to a branch port of the one-to-multiple power divider (500), the other end of each of the radio frequency insulators (230) is connected to a down-conversion unit (310), one end of each of the flat cables (240) is plug-connected to a down-conversion unit (310), and the other end of each of the flat cables (240) is connected to the power supply and signal control component (600).

2. The multi-channel down converter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The local oscillator component (400) comprises a local oscillator signal source (410) and a power amplifier (420); the local oscillator signal source (410) is connected to the power supply and signal control component (600); a radio frequency output interface of the local oscillator signal source (410) and an input end of the power amplifier (420), as well as an output end of the power amplifier (420) and a joint of the one-to-many power splitter (500) are all connected via radio frequency cables.

3. The multi-channel down converter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The power supply and signal control component (600) comprises a power supply board (610), a drive board (620) and a control board (630), wherein the control board (630) is fixedly mounted on the inner side of the bottom of the shell, the drive board (620) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the partition (200), and the power supply board (610) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the drive board (620); The flat cable (240) is plugged and connected to the driving board (620); The down-conversion unit (310), the local oscillator signal source (410), the power amplifier (420), the driving board (620) and the control board (630) are all electrically connected to the power board (610), and the control board (630) is electrically connected to the driving board (620).

4. The multi-channel down converter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The power board (610) is connected to an external single DC power supply and is used to convert the voltage of the single DC power supply into multiple voltages to respectively power the down-conversion unit (310), the local oscillator signal source (410), the power amplifier (420), the driving board (620) and the control board (630).

5. The multi-channel down converter according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bottom of the partition (200) is provided with a groove (250) and a cover plate (260); the one-to-many power divider (500) is assembled in the groove (250); and the cover plate (260) is fixedly connected to the top of the groove (250).

6. The multi-channel down converter according to claim 5, characterized in that: Two opposite side walls of the hollow shell (100) are each provided with a third through hole and a fourth through hole, the center points of which are on the same straight line and the number of which is equal to the number of the down-conversion units (310); the RF interface end of each of the down-conversion units (310) extends out of the hollow shell (100) from one of the third through holes, the IF interface end of each of the down-conversion units (310) extends out of the hollow shell (100) from one of the fourth through holes, and the RF interface end and the IF interface end of each of the down-conversion units (310) are fixedly connected to a radio frequency connector (700); The radio frequency connector (700) connected to the RF interface end is used to connect to an external antenna, and the radio frequency connector (700) connected to the IF interface end is used to connect to a digital processing module.

7. The multi-channel down converter according to claim 6, characterized in that: The radio frequency insulator (230) is connected to the LO local oscillator input interface end of the down-conversion unit (310).

8. The multi-channel down converter according to claim 7, characterized in that: A rectangular connector (800) is fixedly disposed on the outer side of a side wall of the hollow housing (100), and the rectangular connector (800) is electrically connected to both the control board (630) and the power board (610).

9. The multi-channel down converter according to claim 8, characterized in that: The outer sides of two opposite side walls of the hollow housing (100) on which the radio frequency connector (700) is not installed are fixedly connected with handles (920); A support plate (900) and a plurality of support columns (910) are also provided inside the hollow shell (100); the support plate (900) abuts against the inner side of the bottom of the hollow shell (100); and the support columns (910) are vertically fixedly connected between the partition (200) and the support plate (900).

10. The multi-channel down converter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radio frequency insulator (230), the one-to-many power splitter (500) and the down-conversion unit (310) are all fixedly connected by soldering; The flat cable (240), the down-conversion unit (310), and the power supply and signal control component (600) are all fixedly connected by soldering.

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