Butler matrix applied to multi-port amplification network

Abstract

The invention discloses a Butler matrix applied to a multi-port amplification network. The Butler matrix comprises a plurality of narrow-side coupling 3dB directional couplers and a plurality of wide-side coupling 3dB directional couplers which are mutually cascaded, the narrow-edge coupling 3dB directional coupler comprises a first narrow-edge waveguide and a second narrow-edge waveguide, each of the first narrow-edge waveguide and the second narrow-edge waveguide comprises two ports, and the first narrow-edge waveguide and the second narrow-edge waveguide are connected through at least one narrow-edge coupling slot. The first narrow-edge waveguide and the second narrow-edge waveguide are in mirror symmetry in the horizontal direction along the connecting line; the broadside coupling 3dB directional coupler comprises a first broadside waveguide and a second broadside waveguide, the first broadside waveguide and the second broadside waveguide respectively comprise two ports, and the first broadside waveguide and the second broadside waveguide are connected through at least one broadside coupling slot. And the first broadside waveguide and the second broadside waveguide are in mirror symmetry along the connecting line in the vertical direction. Due to the integrated design, unnecessary waveguide conversion is avoided, and on the basis of ensuring the performance, the size is small and the weight is light.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of microwave communications, and in particular relates to a Butler matrix applied to a multi-port amplification network. Background Art

[0002] The mass, power and structural space of communication satellites are the biggest constraints on the flexibility of satellite payloads. The flexibility design of traditional satellite payloads is mainly achieved through redundant configuration of on-board equipment. The flexibility of this method is achieved at the expense of weight, volume and cost. With the continuous development of satellite technology, the development trend of satellite payloads is to achieve the flexibility of satellite payloads without excessively increasing the payload. At present, flexible payload technologies include flexible antenna technology, flexible RF technology and flexible processing technology. Among them, the Butler matrix is ​​a key component in flexible RF technology. Through the Butler matrix, the output power can be shared dynamically and in a highly flexible way between input ports, so it is also called a multi-port amplifier. This amplifier not only improves the utilization efficiency of the power amplifier, but also reduces the impact of individual power amplifier failures.

[0003] Figure 1 The principle diagram of the existing 8×8 Butler matrix is ​​given, which is a commonly used topology. As can be seen from the figure, the matrix consists of 12 3dB directional couplers, including 8 input ports (X1G~X8G) and 8 output ports (X9G~X16G). When a signal is input at a certain input port, equal amplitude signals can be output at the 8 output ports, and there is a constant phase difference between the output port signals.

[0004] Butler matrix can be designed with coaxial structure, microstrip structure or stripline structure to achieve small size and light weight. However, there are also some environments where waveguide structure must be used to implement Butler matrix. Figure 1 As can be seen from the topological structure shown, the Butler Matrix requires cascading different ports of multiple 3dB directional couplers, which places very stringent requirements on the product layout. Therefore, how to achieve a smaller volume and weight by cascading multiple 3dB directional couplers is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a Butler matrix applied to a multi-port amplification network to solve the technical problem of cascading multiple 3dB directional couplers and achieving smaller volume and weight while ensuring the electrical performance of the product.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention includes:

[0007] A Butler matrix applied to a multi-port amplification network includes a plurality of narrow-side coupled 3dB directional couplers and a plurality of wide-side coupled 3dB directional couplers cascaded to each other;

[0008] The narrow-side coupled 3dB directional coupler comprises a first narrow-side waveguide and a second narrow-side waveguide, each of which comprises two ports, the first narrow-side waveguide and the second narrow-side waveguide are connected by at least one narrow-side coupling slit, and the first narrow-side waveguide and the second narrow-side waveguide are mirror-symmetrical along the connecting line in the horizontal direction; the wide-side coupled 3dB directional coupler comprises a first wide-side waveguide and a second wide-side waveguide, each of which comprises two ports, the first wide-side waveguide and the second wide-side waveguide are connected by at least one wide-side coupling slit, and the first wide-side waveguide and the second wide-side waveguide are mirror-symmetrical along the connecting line in the vertical direction.

[0009] Preferably, it is a 4×4 Butler matrix, including 2 parallel narrow-side coupled 3dB directional couplers and 2 parallel broad-side coupled 3dB directional couplers; the other end of the first narrow-side waveguide and the other end of the second narrow-side waveguide of one narrow-side coupled 3dB directional coupler are respectively connected to one end of the first broad-side waveguide of the two broad-side coupled 3dB directional couplers; the other end of the first narrow-side waveguide and the other end of the second narrow-side waveguide of another narrow-side coupled 3dB directional coupler are respectively connected to one end of the second broad-side waveguide of the two broad-side coupled 3dB directional couplers.

[0010] Preferably, it is an 8×8 Butler matrix, including 2 4×4 Butler matrices and 2 groups of narrow-side coupling units, each group of narrow-side coupling units includes 2 parallel narrow-side coupling 3dB directional couplers; the two ports at the wide-side end of any 4×4 Butler matrix are respectively connected to the two ports at one end of a group of narrow-side coupling units, and the other two ports at the wide-side end of any 4×4 Butler matrix are respectively connected to the two ports at one end of another group of narrow-side coupling units.

[0011] Preferably, it is an 8×8 Butler matrix, including 2 4×4 Butler matrices and 2 groups of broadside coupling units, each group of broadside coupling units includes 2 parallel broadside coupling 3dB directional couplers; the two ports at the narrow side end of any 4×4 Butler matrix are respectively connected to the two ports at one end of a group of broadside coupling units, and the other two ports at the narrow side end of any 4×4 Butler matrix are respectively connected to the two ports at one end of another group of broadside coupling units.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0013] (1) A Butler matrix applied to a multi-port amplification network of the present invention has no limit on the number, order of cascade, or form of cascade by rationally setting the component structure. The entire model is designed as an integrated whole to avoid unnecessary waveguide conversions and realize direct interconnection between directional couplers of different levels. On the basis of ensuring the electrical performance of the product, the product has a small size and light weight.

[0014] (2) The Butler matrix of the present invention applied to a multi-port amplification network has excellent overall electrical performance and an equal ripple characteristic of the intra-band differential loss through the reasonable arrangement of the component structure. The wide-side coupled 3dB directional coupler and the narrow-side coupled 3dB directional coupler are interconnected to achieve very good bandwidth, standing wave, amplitude and phase characteristics.

[0015] (3) The Butler matrix of the present invention applied to a multi-port amplification network reduces the conversion required for interconnection between directional couplers of different levels by reasonably setting the component structure, thereby reducing the size of the entire model. The entire model is integrated into an integrated design, and the entire structural design is very compact, thereby improving the utilization rate of the effective space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the following specific embodiments, they are used to explain the present invention but do not constitute a limitation of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the principle of the existing 8×8 Butler matrix;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of a 4×4 Butler matrix model of Example 1;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of an 8×8 Butler matrix model of Example 2;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of an 8×8 Butler matrix model of Example 3;

[0021] Figure 5 It is the structural diagram of narrow edge 3dB directional coupler;

[0022] Figure 6 This is the structural diagram of the broadside 3dB directional coupler.

[0023] The symbols in the figure represent:

[0024] 1 narrow side coupling 3dB directional coupler, 1-0 narrow side coupling slot, 1-1 first narrow side waveguide, 1-2 second narrow side waveguide;

[0025] 2 broadside coupled 3dB directional coupler, 2-0 broadside coupled slot, 2-1 first broadside waveguide, 2-2 second broadside waveguide. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The invention is not limited to the following specific embodiments, and all equivalent changes made on the basis of the technical solution of this application fall within the protection scope of the invention.

[0027] It should be noted that the directional terms mentioned in this article are consistent with the specific directions on the paper in the drawings of the specification or the corresponding directions in the space shown in the drawings; all components and equipment in the present invention, unless otherwise specified, are all components and equipment known in the prior art.

[0028] The present application discloses a Butler matrix applied to a multi-port amplification network, comprising a plurality of narrow-side coupled 3dB directional couplers 1 and a plurality of wide-side coupled 3dB directional couplers 2 cascaded to each other;

[0029] The narrow side coupling 3dB directional coupler 1 comprises a first narrow side waveguide 1-1 and a second narrow side waveguide 1-2, each of the first narrow side waveguide 1-1 and the second narrow side waveguide 1-2 comprises two ports, the first narrow side waveguide 1-1 and the second narrow side waveguide 1-2 are connected by at least one narrow side coupling slot 1-0, and the first narrow side waveguide 1-1 and the second narrow side waveguide 1-2 are mirror symmetrical along the connection line in the horizontal direction;

[0030] The broadside coupled 3dB directional coupler 2 comprises a first broadside waveguide 2-1 and a second broadside waveguide 2-2, each of the first broadside waveguide 2-1 and the second broadside waveguide 2-2 comprises two ports, the first broadside waveguide 2-1 and the second broadside waveguide 2-2 are connected by at least one broadside coupling slot 2-0, and the first broadside waveguide 2-1 and the second broadside waveguide 2-2 are mirror-symmetrical along the connection line in the vertical direction;

[0031] In this embodiment, multiple narrow-side coupled 3dB directional couplers 1 and multiple wide-side coupled 3dB directional couplers 2 are cascaded with each other, with no limit on the number, order of cascading, or form of cascading. The entire model is designed as an integrated whole to avoid unnecessary waveguide conversion and realize direct interconnection between directional couplers of different levels.

[0032] The Butler matrix applied to the multi-port amplification network of the present application has excellent electrical performance, and the intra-band differential loss presents equiripple characteristics. The wide-side coupled 3dB directional coupler and the narrow-side coupled 3dB directional coupler are interconnected to achieve very good bandwidth, standing wave, amplitude and phase characteristics; at the same time, they are light in weight and small in size. The conversion required for interconnection between directional couplers of different levels is reduced, the size of the entire model is reduced, the entire model is integrated, and the entire structural design is very compact, which improves the utilization rate of the effective space.

[0033] At the same time, it can be formed in one piece by welding, screw connection and 3D printing, and the processing method is flexible; the waveguide structure is suitable for both low-power and high-power working conditions, and can achieve very high power capacity.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] This embodiment discloses a 4×4 Butler matrix, including two parallel narrow-side coupled 3dB directional couplers 1 and two parallel broad-side coupled 3dB directional couplers 2; the other end of the first narrow-side waveguide 1-1 and the other end of the second narrow-side waveguide 1-2 of one narrow-side coupled 3dB directional coupler 1 are respectively connected to one end of the first broad-side waveguide 2-1 of the two broad-side coupled 3dB directional couplers 2; the other end of the first narrow-side waveguide 1-1 and the other end of the second narrow-side waveguide 1-2 of another narrow-side coupled 3dB directional coupler 1 are respectively connected to one end of the second broad-side waveguide 2-2 of the two broad-side coupled 3dB directional couplers 2; the entire model is designed in an integrated manner to avoid unnecessary waveguide conversion and realize direct interconnection between couplers of different levels.

[0036] The overall electrical performance is excellent, and the intra-band differential loss presents equal ripple characteristics. The wide-side coupled 3dB directional coupler and the narrow-side coupled 3dB directional coupler are interconnected to achieve very good bandwidth, standing wave, amplitude and phase characteristics; at the same time, they are light in weight and small in size. The conversion required for interconnection between directional couplers of different levels is reduced, the size of the entire model is reduced, the entire model is integrated, and the entire structure design is very compact, which improves the utilization of effective space.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] This embodiment discloses an 8×8 Butler matrix, including two 4×4 Butler matrices and two groups of narrow-side coupling units, each group of narrow-side coupling units includes two parallel narrow-side coupling 3dB directional couplers 1; the two ports at the wide-side end of any 4×4 Butler matrix are respectively connected to the two ports at one end of a group of narrow-side coupling units, and the other two ports at the wide-side end of any 4×4 Butler matrix are respectively connected to the two ports at one end of another group of narrow-side coupling units.

[0039] The 8×8 Butler matrix disclosed in this embodiment is a ring-shaped staggered arrangement of the wide side end and any narrow side coupling unit of any 4×4 Butler matrix. The entire model is designed as an integrated whole to avoid unnecessary waveguide conversion and realize direct interconnection between couplers of different levels.

[0040] The overall electrical performance is excellent, and the intra-band differential loss presents equal ripple characteristics. The wide-side coupled 3dB directional coupler and the narrow-side coupled 3dB directional coupler are interconnected to achieve very good bandwidth, standing wave, amplitude and phase characteristics; at the same time, they are light in weight and small in size. The conversion required for interconnection between directional couplers of different levels is reduced, the size of the entire model is reduced, the entire model is integrated, and the entire structure design is very compact, which improves the utilization of effective space.

[0041] Example 3

[0042] This embodiment discloses an 8×8 Butler matrix (a variation of Embodiment 2), including two 4×4 Butler matrices and two groups of broadside coupling units, each group of broadside coupling units including two parallel broadside coupling 3dB directional couplers 2; the two ports at the narrow side end of any 4×4 Butler matrix are respectively connected to the two ports at one end of a group of broadside coupling units, and the other two ports at the narrow side end of any 4×4 Butler matrix are respectively connected to the two ports at one end of another group of broadside coupling units.

[0043] The 8×8 Butler matrix disclosed in this embodiment is a ring-shaped staggered arrangement of the narrow side end and any wide side coupling unit of any 4×4 Butler matrix. The entire model is designed as an integrated whole to avoid unnecessary waveguide conversion and realize direct interconnection between couplers of different levels. The overall electrical performance is excellent, and the intra-band loss presents equal ripple characteristics. The wide-side coupled 3dB directional coupler and the narrow-side coupled 3dB directional coupler are interconnected to achieve very good bandwidth, standing wave, amplitude and phase characteristics; at the same time, they are light in weight and small in size. The conversion required for interconnection between directional couplers of different levels is reduced, the size of the entire model is reduced, the entire model is designed as an integrated whole, and the entire structural design is very compact, which improves the utilization of the effective space.

[0044] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; however, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present disclosure, a variety of simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of the present disclosure, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0045] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present disclosure will not further describe various possible combinations.

[0046] In addition, the various different implementation modes disclosed in this solution may be arbitrarily combined, and as long as they do not violate the concept of the present disclosure, they should also be regarded as the content invented by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A Butler matrix for a multi-port amplifier network, characterized in that: It comprises a plurality of narrow-side coupled 3dB directional couplers (1) and a plurality of wide-side coupled 3dB directional couplers (2) which are cascaded with each other; The narrow-side coupling 3dB directional coupler (1) comprises a first narrow-side waveguide (1-1) and a second narrow-side waveguide (1-2), the first narrow-side waveguide (1-1) and the second narrow-side waveguide (1-2) each comprising two ports, the first narrow-side waveguide (1-1) and the second narrow-side waveguide (1-2) being connected via at least one narrow-side coupling slit (1-0), and the first narrow-side waveguide (1-1) and the second narrow-side waveguide (1-2) being mirror-symmetrical along a connection line in a horizontal direction; The broadside coupling 3dB directional coupler (2) comprises a first broadside waveguide (2-1) and a second broadside waveguide (2-2), the first broadside waveguide (2-1) and the second broadside waveguide (2-2) each comprising two ports, the first broadside waveguide (2-1) and the second broadside waveguide (2-2) being connected via at least one broadside coupling slit (2-0), and the first broadside waveguide (2-1) and the second broadside waveguide (2-2) being mirror-symmetrical in a vertical direction along a connection line.

2. The Butler matrix for a multi-port amplification network as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A 4×4 Butler matrix includes two parallel narrow-side coupled 3 dB directional couplers (1) and two parallel wide-side coupled 3 dB directional couplers (2); The other end of the first narrow side waveguide (1-1) and the other end of the second narrow side waveguide (1-2) of one narrow side coupling 3dB directional coupler (1) are respectively connected to one end of the first broad side waveguide (2-1) of the two broad side coupling 3dB directional couplers (2); The other end of the first narrow side waveguide (1-1) and the other end of the second narrow side waveguide (1-2) of the other narrow side coupling 3dB directional coupler (1) are respectively connected to one end of the second wide side waveguide (2-2) of the two wide side coupling 3dB directional couplers (2).

3. The Butler matrix for a multi-port amplification network as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: An 8×8 Butler matrix includes two 4×4 Butler matrices and two groups of narrow-side coupling units, each group of narrow-side coupling units includes two parallel narrow-side coupling 3dB directional couplers (1); The two ports at the wide side end of any of the 4×4 Butler matrices are respectively connected to the two ports at one end of a group of narrow side coupling units, and the other two ports at the wide side end of any of the 4×4 Butler matrices are respectively connected to the two ports at one end of another group of narrow side coupling units.

4. The Butler matrix for a multi-port amplification network as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: An 8×8 Butler matrix includes two 4×4 Butler matrices and two groups of broadside coupling units, each group of the broadside coupling units includes two parallel broadside coupling 3dB directional couplers (2); The two ports at the narrow side end of any of the 4×4 Butler matrices are respectively connected to the two ports at one end of a group of broadside coupling units, and the other two ports at the narrow side end of any of the 4×4 Butler matrices are respectively connected to the two ports at one end of another group of broadside coupling units.

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