High-performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement and multi-port expansion box

Abstract

The invention discloses a high-performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement and a multi-port expansion box, and relates to an S parameter test and port expansion technology. The routing circuit applied to the transmitting path comprises four output ends, six transmitting branch port input ends, a transmitting total port input end, four first-stage equalization amplifiers, two first-stage one-to-two switches, two second-stage equalization amplifiers, four first-stage one-to-three switches, a first-stage one-to-four switch and a third-stage equalization amplifier. The internal paths of the circuit are symmetrical, and the transmission path length of signal routing gating is minimized through the arrangement of a total port and branch ports, so that high performance is ensured. The multi-port expansion box comprises a routing circuit applied to a transmitting path, a routing circuit applied to a reference / test receiving path, a transmitting / reference receiving / test receiving standard configuration routing amplification unit, a bi-directional coupler matrix and the like. Port expansion can be flexibly configured and high performance can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of vector network analyzers, and relates to S parameter testing and port expansion technology, and in particular to a high-performance dynamic routing circuit and a multi-port expansion box for improving S parameter measurement. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the continuous improvement of the performance indicators of complete equipment, various multi-port components and multi-function modules have emerged one after another. Multi-port S parameter measurement has been widely used to characterize the electrical characteristics of complex network systems, especially array antennas involving multiple T / R components, multi-channel power synthesis and feeding networks, and multi-input and multi-output RF switch matrices, which also make multi-channel beamforming and multi-channel coherent reception important features of modern electronic technology. At the same time, multi-port devices or networks need to perform accurate and rapid testing and analysis of their S parameter characteristics in various links such as research and development, production, installation and commissioning, and maintenance, and traditional two-port or four-port vector network analyzers can no longer meet actual needs. In order to achieve comprehensive and accurate measurements of these complex network systems, it is indispensable to expand the number of ports of the vector network analyzer. Considering the hardware cost and implementation method, a port expansion box with a two-port or four-port vector network analyzer as the host has emerged.

[0003] The prior art solution uses a mechanical switch expansion box to meet the test requirements of more ports, but the control switching speed is slow and the upper limit of the working life is low, and the insertion loss becomes larger, which in turn affects the dynamic range of the system, etc. Patent application number 201310587156 discloses a multi-port S parameter test device based on a USB interface, which includes a USB interface control module, a source switch array, a receiving switch array, and a coupler array. It can be expanded into a multi-port network analyzer with a two-port network analyzer as the host at a very low cost, and is used for the measurement of various multi-port, multi-functional components and modules, with a simple structure and high stability. Although it makes up for some of the shortcomings of the mechanical switch expansion box (for example, the electronic switch has fast switching speed and long working time, and each test port is equipped with an independent coupler without deteriorating the original directivity), and also realizes multi-port expansion and S parameter measurement, its focus is on the use of low-cost RF circuit board solutions to expand the two-port vector network analyzer into a multi-port vector network analyzer through the USB interface, but it cannot complete the cascading or coordinated use of multiple possible port expansion boxes (the number of expansion boxes is determined by the total number of test ports required and the number of test ports of a single expansion box). Inevitably, when the user's usage scenario or demand changes (for example, the vector network analyzer host is updated from two ports to four ports, or vice versa; for example, the number of port expansions is increased from 16 ports to 32 ports, 64 ports, 128 ports, etc., or vice versa), it is impossible to achieve flexible port expansion configuration without changing the hardware or adding modules and ensuring the high performance of the circuit. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to address the deficiencies of the above-mentioned prior art, the present application provides a high-performance dynamic routing circuit and a multi-port expansion box for improving S-parameter measurement, which can realize flexible port expansion configuration, meet the symmetry of the port expansion configuration circuit in different application scenarios and diversified testing requirements, and minimize the transmission path length of the signal routing selection to ensure high performance.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technologies: A high-performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S-parameter measurement is applied to a transmission path, including four output terminals, six transmission branch port input terminals, one transmission main port input terminal, four first-stage balanced amplifiers, two first-stage one-to-two switches, two second-stage balanced amplifiers, four first-stage one-to-three switches, one first-stage one-to-four switch, and one third-stage balanced amplifier; The transmitting sub-port input terminal and the transmitting main port input terminal are used to connect with the excitation source direct output terminal of the vector network analyzer; The six transmission branch port input terminals include transmission branch port input terminal one, transmission branch port input terminal two, transmission branch port input terminal three, transmission branch port input terminal four, transmission branch port input terminal five, and transmission branch port input terminal six; Among the transmission branch port input terminal 1, the transmission branch port input terminal 2, the transmission branch port input terminal 3, and the transmission branch port input terminal 4, each transmission branch port input terminal corresponds to a first-stage balanced amplifier, a first-stage one-to-three switch, and an output terminal, which are connected in series in sequence; In the transmitting branch port input terminal five and the transmitting branch port input terminal six, each transmitting branch port input terminal corresponds to a second-stage balanced amplifier and a first-stage one-to-two switch connected in series in sequence; Each first-stage one-to-two switch is connected to two first-stage one-to-three switches; The input end of the transmitting main port, the third-stage balanced amplifier, and the first-stage one-to-four switch are connected in series in sequence; The first-stage one-to-four switch is connected to four first-stage one-to-three switches.

[0006] A high-performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S-parameter measurement, applied to a reference receiving path / test receiving path, comprising four input terminals, six receiving branch port output terminals, one receiving main port output terminal, four first-stage balanced amplifiers, two first-stage one-to-two switches, two second-stage balanced amplifiers, four first-stage one-to-three switches, one first-stage one-to-four switch, and one third-stage balanced amplifier; The receiving sub-port output terminal and the receiving main port output terminal are used to connect with the reference receiving direct input terminal / test receiving direct input terminal of the vector network analyzer; The six receiving branch port output terminals include receiving branch port output terminal one, receiving branch port output terminal two, receiving branch port output terminal three, receiving branch port output terminal four, receiving branch port output terminal five, and receiving branch port output terminal six; Among the receiving branch port output terminal 1, receiving branch port output terminal 2, receiving branch port output terminal 3 and receiving branch port output terminal 4, each receiving branch port output terminal corresponds to a first-stage balanced amplifier, a first-stage one-to-three switch and an input terminal which are connected in series in sequence; In the receiving branch port output terminal five and the receiving branch port output terminal six, each receiving branch port output terminal corresponds to a second-stage balanced amplifier and a first-stage one-to-two switch connected in series in sequence; Each first-stage one-to-two switch is connected to two first-stage one-to-three switches; Four first-stage one-to-three switches are connected to the first-stage one-to-four switches; The first-stage one-to-four switch, the third-stage balanced amplifier, and the receiving main port output end are connected in series in sequence.

[0007] A multi-port expansion box for improving S-parameter measurement, comprising a transmitting dynamic routing amplification module, four transmitting standard routing amplification units, a reference receiving dynamic routing amplification module, four reference receiving standard routing amplification units, a measurement receiving dynamic routing amplification module, four measurement receiving standard routing amplification units, and a dual directional coupler matrix; The transmitting dynamic routing amplification module adopts the high-performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement of the transmitting path as described above; the reference receiving dynamic routing amplification module adopts the high-performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement of the reference receiving path as described above; the measurement receiving dynamic routing amplification module adopts the high-performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement of the test receiving path as described above; The dual directional coupler matrix includes a plurality of dual directional couplers, the number of which is consistent with the external test ports; The transmission standard routing amplifier unit includes a single-channel input and multiple-channel outputs, and is used to perform balanced amplification on the single-channel input signal and then select one channel of output from the multiple-channel outputs. The number of multiple-channel outputs is one-fourth of the number of external test ports; the reference reception standard routing amplifier unit and the measurement reception standard routing amplifier unit both include multiple-channel inputs and a single-channel output, and are used to perform balanced amplification on the signal of one channel of the multiple inputs and then output it from the single-channel output. The number of multiple-channel inputs is one-fourth of the number of external test ports. The multiple outputs of the transmission standard routing amplifier unit are respectively connected to the through input end of a dual directional coupler, the multiple inputs of the reference reception standard routing amplifier unit are respectively connected to one coupling end of a dual directional coupler, the multiple inputs of the measurement reception standard routing amplifier unit are respectively connected to the other coupling end of a dual directional coupler, and the through output end of each dual directional coupler is used as an external test port; The transmit main port input and six transmit branch port inputs of the transmit dynamic routing amplifier module are used to connect to the excitation source direct output of the vector network analyzer, and the four outputs are respectively connected to the single-channel inputs of four transmit standard routing amplifier units; The receiving main port output end and six receiving sub-port output ends of the reference receiving dynamic routing amplifier module / measurement receiving dynamic routing amplifier module are used to connect to the reference receiving direct input end / measurement receiving direct input end of the vector network analyzer, and the four input ends are respectively connected to the single-channel outputs of four reference receiving standard routing amplifier units / four measurement receiving standard routing amplifier units.

[0008] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. Make a distinction between the main port and the branch port. Design the main port input and six branch port inputs in the transmitting path, and design the main port output and six branch port outputs in the receiving path. This ensures that the circuit has high symmetry in multi-port expansion while minimizing the transmission path length of the signal routing to ensure high performance. Both the amplitude and phase consistency and the temperature stability can meet more stringent measurement requirements. 2. It ensures the integrity and consistency of signal transmission in multi-channel configuration of complex network systems, reduces the impact of external environmental changes, such as temperature drift and vibration, and provides the most solid foundation for improving the reliability and stability of multi-port S-parameter measurement; 3. Supports flexible configuration of the number of expansion ports. The number of ports can be expanded exponentially without changing the hardware or adding modules. It can adapt to different application scenarios such as changing the number of host ports of the vector network analyzer or adjusting the number of expansion ports. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is a block diagram of a high-performance dynamic routing circuit structure applied to a transmission path according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0010] Figure 2 It is a structural block diagram of a high-performance dynamic routing circuit applied to a reference receiving path / test receiving path according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0011] Figure 3 It is a block diagram of the overall structure of the internal modules and units of the port expansion box of the embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the implementation modes of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments described in the present invention are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0013] The embodiment of the present application provides a high-performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement of a transmission path, such as Figure 1 As shown; at the same time, a high-performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement of a reference receiving path / test receiving path is provided, such as Figure 2 When applied, the high-performance dynamic routing circuits of the transmit path, the reference receive path, and the test receive path are used together.

[0014] Specific as Figure 1 As shown, the high-performance dynamic routing circuit applied to the transmission path includes four output terminals, six transmission branch port input terminals, one transmission main port input terminal, four first-stage balanced amplifiers, two first-stage one-to-two switches, two second-stage balanced amplifiers, four first-stage one-to-three switches, one first-stage one-to-four switch, and one third-stage balanced amplifier.

[0015] The six transmission branch port input terminals include transmission branch port input terminal one, transmission branch port input terminal two, transmission branch port input terminal three, transmission branch port input terminal four, transmission branch port input terminal five, and transmission branch port input terminal six.

[0016] In the transmitting branch port input terminal one, transmitting branch port input terminal two, transmitting branch port input terminal three, and transmitting branch port input terminal four, each transmitting branch port input terminal corresponds to a first-stage balanced amplifier, a first-stage one-to-three switch, and an output terminal, which are connected in series in sequence; in the transmitting branch port input terminal five and transmitting branch port input terminal six, each transmitting branch port input terminal corresponds to a second-stage balanced amplifier and a first-stage one-to-two switch, which are connected in series in sequence; each first-stage one-to-two switch is connected to two first-stage one-to-three switches; the transmitting main port input terminal, the third-stage balanced amplifier, and the first-stage one-to-four switch are connected in series in sequence; the first-stage one-to-four switch is connected to four first-stage one-to-three switches.

[0017] The high-performance dynamic routing circuit used for improving S-parameter measurement of the reference receiving path / test receiving path is essentially a structure that uses the same components as the high-performance dynamic routing circuit of the transmitting path, with the signal path being opposite and mirrored. Figure 2 As shown, it includes four input terminals, six receiving branch port output terminals, one receiving main port output terminal, four first-stage balanced amplifiers, two first-stage one-to-two switches, two second-stage balanced amplifiers, four first-stage one-to-three switches, one first-stage one-to-four switch, and one third-stage balanced amplifier.

[0018] The six receiving branch port output terminals include receiving branch port output terminal one, receiving branch port output terminal two, receiving branch port output terminal three, receiving branch port output terminal four, receiving branch port output terminal five, and receiving branch port output terminal six.

[0019] In the receiving branch port output terminal one, receiving branch port output terminal two, receiving branch port output terminal three, and receiving branch port output terminal four, each receiving branch port output terminal corresponds to a first-stage balanced amplifier, a first-stage one-to-three switch, and an input terminal, which are connected in series in sequence; in the receiving branch port output terminal five and receiving branch port output terminal six, each receiving branch port output terminal corresponds to a second-stage balanced amplifier and a first-stage one-to-two switch, which are connected in series in sequence; each first-stage one-to-two switch corresponds to two first-stage one-to-three switches; four first-stage one-to-three switches are connected to the first-stage one-to-four switches; the first-stage one-to-four switches, the third-stage balanced amplifier, and the receiving main port output terminal are connected in series in sequence.

[0020] When in application, the high-performance dynamic routing circuit of the transmission path, the high-performance dynamic routing circuit of the reference reception path, and the high-performance dynamic routing circuit of the test reception path are used together, the transmission branch port input terminal and the transmission main port input terminal are used to connect to the excitation source direct output terminal of the vector network analyzer, and the reception branch port output terminal and the reception main port output terminal are used to connect to the reference reception direct input terminal / test reception direct input terminal of the vector network analyzer.

[0021] The output end of the high-performance dynamic routing circuit applied to the transmission path is used to connect to the dual directional coupler at the external test port, or to connect to the external test port through a further port expansion module; correspondingly, the input end of the high-performance dynamic routing circuit applied to the reference receiving path / test receiving path is used to connect to the dual directional coupler at the external test port, or to connect to the dual directional coupler at the external test port through a further port expansion module.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the transmit signal path selected internally by the high-performance dynamic routing circuit applied to the transmit path includes: Transmitting path 1: After input from the transmitting branch port input terminal 1 / transmitting branch port input terminal 2 / transmitting branch port input terminal 3 / transmitting branch port input terminal 4, it is successively amplified by the first stage of equalization and the first stage of one-to-three switch before being output; Transmitting path 2: After input from the transmitting branch port input terminal 5 / transmitting branch port input terminal 6, it is successively amplified by the second stage of balanced amplification, the first stage of one-to-two switch, and the first stage of one-to-three switch before output; Transmitting path three: After input from the transmitting main port input end, it is successively amplified through the third stage balanced amplifier, the first stage one-to-four switch, and the first stage one-to-three switch before being output.

[0023] like Figure 2 As shown, the internally gated reference receiving signal path / test receiving signal path of the high performance dynamic routing circuit applied to the reference receiving path / test receiving path includes: Reference receiving path 1 / test receiving path 1: After receiving from the input end, it passes through the first-stage one-to-three switch and the first-stage balanced amplification in sequence and is output from the receiving branch port output terminal 1 / receiving branch port output terminal 2 / receiving branch port output terminal 3 / receiving branch port output terminal 4; Reference receiving path 2 / test receiving path 2: After receiving from the input end, it passes through the first-stage one-to-three switch, the first-stage one-to-two switch, and the second-stage balanced amplification, and then outputs from the receiving branch output terminal 5 / the receiving branch output terminal 6; Reference receiving path three / test receiving path three: After receiving from the input end, it passes through the first-stage one-to-three switch, the first-stage one-to-four switch, and the third-stage balanced amplifier in sequence and is output from the receiving main port output end.

[0024] In the above scheme, by setting the position, quantity and connection relationship of the one-to-two switch, the one-to-three switch and the one-to-four switch, the high symmetry of the dynamic routing circuit can be met, and the transmission path length of the signal routing selection can be minimized to ensure high performance. That is, in different application scenarios and diversified test requirements, the type and number of module units that the signal passes through from the vector network analyzer to each external test port of the port expansion box can be completely consistent and minimal, which also provides the most solid foundation for improving the reliability and stability of multi-port S-parameter measurement.

[0025] As a preferred embodiment, in order to provide gain compensation path loss while ensuring power flatness at the ultra-wideband operating frequency, as Figure 1 As shown, a fourth-stage balanced amplifier is connected between each output terminal and the corresponding first-stage one-to-three switch; Figure 2 As shown, a fourth-stage balanced amplifier is connected between each input terminal and the corresponding first-stage one-to-three switch.

[0026] The present application also provides a multi-port expansion box for improving S parameter measurement, such as Figure 3 As shown, it includes a transmitting dynamic routing amplification module, four transmitting standard routing amplification units, a reference receiving dynamic routing amplification module, four reference receiving standard routing amplification units, a measurement receiving dynamic routing amplification module, four measurement receiving standard routing amplification units, a dual directional coupler matrix, a power supply and communication control module, etc.

[0027] Among them, the transmission dynamic routing amplification module adopts the high-performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement of the transmission path described in the previous embodiment; the reference reception dynamic routing amplification module adopts the high-performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement of the reference reception path described in the previous embodiment; the measurement reception dynamic routing amplification module adopts the high-performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement of the test reception path described in the previous embodiment.

[0028] The dual directional coupler matrix includes multiple dual directional couplers, the number of which is consistent with the external test ports of the multi-port extension box, that is, each external test port is equipped with an independent dual directional coupler, which can replace and skip the directional coupler of the vector network analyzer host to complete the acquisition of the reference signal and the measurement signal reflected or transmitted by the device under test, thereby making up for the disadvantage that the mechanical switch extension box deteriorates the original directivity of the test port.

[0029] The transmission standard routing amplifier unit includes a single input and multiple outputs, which is used to balance amplify the signal of a single input and then select one output from the multiple outputs. The number of multiple outputs is one-fourth of the number of external test ports. To select one output from the multiple outputs, switch it through a switch; the reference reception standard routing amplifier unit and the measurement reception standard routing amplifier unit both include multiple inputs and a single output, which are used to balance amplify the signal of one input from the multiple inputs and then output it from the single output. The number of multiple inputs is one-fourth of the number of external test ports. To select one input from the multiple inputs, switch it through a switch. The transmission standard routing amplifier unit, the reference reception standard routing amplifier unit, and the measurement reception standard routing amplifier unit are designed to achieve further port expansion, which is achieved internally through balanced amplification and switch components.

[0030] The multiple outputs of the transmitting standard routing amplifier unit are respectively connected to the through input end of a dual directional coupler, the multiple inputs of the reference receiving standard routing amplifier unit are respectively connected to one coupling end of a dual directional coupler, the multiple inputs of the measuring receiving standard routing amplifier unit are respectively connected to the other coupling end of a dual directional coupler, and the through output end of each dual directional coupler is used as an external test port.

[0031] The coupling port connected to the reference receiving standard routing amplifier unit (close to the excitation source) in the dual directional coupler is the reference coupling port, and the coupling port connected to the measurement receiving standard routing amplifier unit (far away from the excitation source) is the measurement coupling port. A fixed attenuation plate is added to the reference coupling port, with an attenuation greater than 10dB and a return loss better than 20dB, which can reduce the mutual influence between the reference coupling port and the measurement coupling port without deteriorating the system dynamics. In this way, the external test port is equipped with an independent dual directional coupler, which can not only achieve the original directivity of the test port without deteriorating, but also reduce the number of couplers and reduce production costs.

[0032] The transmit main port input terminal and six transmit branch port input terminals of the transmit dynamic routing amplifier module are used to connect to the excitation source direct output terminal of the vector network analyzer, and the four output terminals are respectively connected to the single input of four transmit standard routing amplifier units; the receive main port output terminal and six receive branch port output terminals of the reference receive dynamic routing amplifier module / measurement receive dynamic routing amplifier module are used to connect to the reference receive direct input terminal / measurement receive direct input terminal of the vector network analyzer, and the four input terminals are respectively connected to the single output of four reference receive standard routing amplifier units / four measurement receive standard routing amplifier units.

[0033] The power supply and communication control module includes a power supply unit and a communication control unit. The power supply unit is used to provide power support for the port expansion box; the communication control unit is integrated with a communication interface with a host computer and a vector network analyzer, which is used to provide a data interaction channel and to select the signal path in the highly symmetrical dynamic routing circuit according to the control configuration in the interactive data.

[0034] In this example, the seven inputs of the transmitting dynamic routing amplifier module are distinguished into one main port and six branch ports, and the seven outputs of the reference receiving dynamic routing amplifier module and the measurement receiving dynamic routing amplifier module are distinguished into one main port and six branch ports, aiming to meet the high symmetry of the circuit while minimizing the transmission path length of the signal routing selection to ensure high performance. Various ports of the vector network analyzer can be connected according to different application scenarios or diversified test requirements.

[0035] Specifically, it is used when connected to a two-port vector network analyzer: If two groups of external test ports of a multi-port extension box are used, each group includes one-fourth of the number of external test ports, and any two are selected from the transmission branch port input terminal 1, transmission branch port input terminal 2, transmission branch port input terminal 3, and transmission branch port input terminal 4 of the transmission dynamic routing amplifier module to connect to the two excitation source direct output terminals of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the transmission path 1 is internally selected; and any two are selected from the reception branch port output terminal 1, reception branch port output terminal 2, reception branch port output terminal 3, and reception branch port output terminal 4 of the reference reception dynamic routing amplifier module to connect to the two reference reception direct input terminals of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the reference reception path 1 is internally selected; and any two are selected from the reception branch port output terminal 1, reception branch port output terminal 2, reception branch port output terminal 3, and reception branch port output terminal 4 of the measurement reception dynamic routing amplifier module to connect to the two measurement reception direct input terminals of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the test reception path 1 is internally selected; If four groups of external test ports of a multi-port extension box are used, the transmitting branch port input terminal 5 and the transmitting branch port input terminal 6 of the transmitting dynamic routing amplifier module are connected to the two excitation source direct output terminals of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the transmitting path 2 is internally selected; and the receiving branch port output terminal 5 and the receiving branch port output terminal 6 of the reference receiving dynamic routing amplifier module are connected to the two reference receiving direct input terminals of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the reference receiving path 2 is internally selected; and the receiving branch port output terminal 5 and the receiving branch port output terminal 6 of the measuring receiving dynamic routing amplifier module are connected to the two measuring receiving direct input terminals of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the test receiving path 2 is internally selected; If all eight groups of external test ports of two high multi-port extension boxes are used, the transmit total port input end of the transmit dynamic routing amplifier module of the two multi-port extension boxes is connected to the two excitation source direct output ends of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the transmit path three is internally selected; and the receive total port output end of the reference receive dynamic routing amplifier module of the two multi-port extension boxes is connected to the two reference receive direct input ends of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the reference receive path three is internally selected; and the receive total port output end of the measurement receive dynamic routing amplifier module of the two multi-port extension boxes is connected to the two measurement receive direct input ends of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the test receive path three is internally selected.

[0036] Specifically, when used in connection with a four-port vector network analyzer: If four groups of external test ports of a multi-port extension box are used, each group contains one-fourth of the number of external test ports, the transmit branch port input terminal 1, transmit branch port input terminal 2, transmit branch port input terminal 3, and transmit branch port input terminal 4 of the transmit dynamic routing amplifier module are connected to the four excitation source direct output terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the transmit path 1 is internally selected; the receive branch port output terminal 1, receive branch port output terminal 2, receive branch port output terminal 3, and receive branch port output terminal 4 of the reference receive dynamic routing amplifier module are connected to the four reference receive direct input terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the reference receive path 1 is internally selected; the receive branch port output terminal 1, receive branch port output terminal 2, receive branch port output terminal 3, and receive branch port output terminal 4 of the measurement receive dynamic routing amplifier module are connected to the four measurement receive direct input terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the test receive path 1 is internally selected; If all eight groups of external test ports of two multi-port extension boxes are used, the transmission branch port input terminal 5 and the transmission branch port input terminal 6 of the transmission dynamic routing amplifier module of the two multi-port extension boxes are connected to the four excitation source direct output terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the transmission path 2 is internally selected; and the reception branch port output terminal 5 and the reception branch port output terminal 6 of the reference reception dynamic routing amplifier module of the two multi-port extension boxes are connected to the four reference reception direct input terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the reference reception path 2 is internally selected; the reception branch port output terminal 5 and the reception branch port output terminal 6 of the measurement reception dynamic routing amplifier module of the two multi-port extension boxes are connected to the four measurement reception direct input terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the test reception path 2 is internally selected; If all sixteen groups of external test ports of four multi-port extension boxes are used, the transmit total port input terminal of the transmit dynamic routing amplifier module of the four multi-port extension boxes is connected to the four excitation source direct output terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the transmit path three is internally selected; the receive total port output terminal of the reference receive dynamic routing amplifier module of the four multi-port extension boxes is connected to the four reference receive direct input terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the reference receive path three is internally selected; the four receive total port output terminals of the measurement receive dynamic routing amplifier module of the four multi-port extension boxes are connected to the four measurement receive direct input terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the test receive path three is internally selected.

[0037] Similarly, when the number of ports of the vector network analyzer changes or the number of port expansions increases or decreases, flexible port expansion configuration can be achieved without changing the hardware or adding modules. In addition, it can also meet the high symmetry of the port expansion configuration circuit in different application scenarios and diversified test requirements of complex network systems while minimizing the transmission path length of the signal routing selection to ensure high performance. High performance is mainly manifested in improving the reliability and stability of multi-port S parameter measurements.

[0038] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A high performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement, characterized in that: Applied to the transmission path, including four output terminals, six transmission branch port input terminals, one transmission main port input terminal, four first-stage balanced amplifiers, two first-stage one-to-two switches, two second-stage balanced amplifiers, four first-stage one-to-three switches, one first-stage one-to-four switch, and one third-stage balanced amplifier; The transmitting sub-port input terminal and the transmitting main port input terminal are used to connect with the excitation source direct output terminal of the vector network analyzer; The six transmission branch port input terminals include transmission branch port input terminal one, transmission branch port input terminal two, transmission branch port input terminal three, transmission branch port input terminal four, transmission branch port input terminal five, and transmission branch port input terminal six; Among the transmission branch port input terminal 1, the transmission branch port input terminal 2, the transmission branch port input terminal 3, and the transmission branch port input terminal 4, each transmission branch port input terminal corresponds to a first-stage balanced amplifier, a first-stage one-to-three switch, and an output terminal, which are connected in series in sequence; In the transmitting branch port input terminal five and the transmitting branch port input terminal six, each transmitting branch port input terminal corresponds to a second-stage balanced amplifier and a first-stage one-to-two switch connected in series in sequence; Each first-stage one-to-two switch is connected to two first-stage one-to-three switches; The input end of the transmitting main port, the third-stage balanced amplifier, and the first-stage one-to-four switch are connected in series in sequence; The first-stage one-to-four switch is connected to four first-stage one-to-three switches.

2. The high performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that: The internally gated transmit signal path includes: Transmitting path 1: After input from the transmitting branch port input terminal 1 / transmitting branch port input terminal 2 / transmitting branch port input terminal 3 / transmitting branch port input terminal 4, it is successively amplified by the first stage of equalization and the first stage of one-to-three switch before being output; Transmitting path 2: After input from the transmitting branch port input terminal 5 / transmitting branch port input terminal 6, it is successively amplified by the second stage of balanced amplification, the first stage of one-to-two switch, and the first stage of one-to-three switch before output; Transmitting path three: After input from the transmitting main port input end, it is successively amplified through the third stage balanced amplifier, the first stage one-to-four switch, and the first stage one-to-three switch before being output.

3. The high performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A fourth-stage balanced amplifier is connected between each output terminal and the corresponding first-stage one-to-three switch.

4. A high performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement, characterized in that: Applied to reference receiving path / test receiving path, including four input terminals, six receiving branch port output terminals, one receiving main port output terminal, four first-stage balanced amplifiers, two first-stage one-to-two switches, two second-stage balanced amplifiers, four first-stage one-to-three switches, one first-stage one-to-four switch, and one third-stage balanced amplifier; The receiving sub-port output terminal and the receiving main port output terminal are used to connect with the reference receiving direct input terminal / test receiving direct input terminal of the vector network analyzer; The six receiving branch port output terminals include receiving branch port output terminal one, receiving branch port output terminal two, receiving branch port output terminal three, receiving branch port output terminal four, receiving branch port output terminal five, and receiving branch port output terminal six; Among the receiving branch port output terminal 1, receiving branch port output terminal 2, receiving branch port output terminal 3 and receiving branch port output terminal 4, each receiving branch port output terminal corresponds to a first-stage balanced amplifier, a first-stage one-to-three switch and an input terminal which are connected in series in sequence; In the receiving branch port output terminal five and the receiving branch port output terminal six, each receiving branch port output terminal corresponds to a second-stage balanced amplifier and a first-stage one-to-two switch connected in series in sequence; Each first-stage one-to-two switch is connected to two first-stage one-to-three switches; Four first-stage one-to-three switches are connected to the first-stage one-to-four switches; The first-stage one-to-four switch, the third-stage balanced amplifier, and the receiving main port output end are connected in series in sequence.

5. The high performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement according to claim 4, characterized in that: Its internally gated reference receive signal path / test receive signal path includes: Reference receiving path 1 / test receiving path 1: After receiving from the input end, it passes through the first-stage one-to-three switch and the first-stage balanced amplification in sequence and is output from the receiving branch port output terminal 1 / receiving branch port output terminal 2 / receiving branch port output terminal 3 / receiving branch port output terminal 4; Reference receiving path 2 / test receiving path 2: After receiving from the input end, it passes through the first-stage one-to-three switch, the first-stage one-to-two switch, and the second-stage balanced amplification, and then outputs from the receiving branch output terminal 5 / the receiving branch output terminal 6; Reference receiving path three / test receiving path three: After receiving from the input end, it passes through the first-stage one-to-three switch, the first-stage one-to-four switch, and the third-stage balanced amplifier in sequence and is output from the receiving main port output end.

6. The high performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: A fourth-stage balanced amplifier is connected between each input terminal and the corresponding first-stage one-to-three switch.

7. A multi-port expansion box for improving S-parameter measurement, characterized in that: It includes a transmitting dynamic routing amplification module, four transmitting standard routing amplification units, a reference receiving dynamic routing amplification module, four reference receiving standard routing amplification units, a measurement receiving dynamic routing amplification module, four measurement receiving standard routing amplification units, and a dual directional coupler matrix; The transmitting dynamic routing amplification module adopts the high-performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement as described in any one of claims 1 to 3; The reference receiving dynamic routing amplification module and the measurement receiving dynamic routing amplification module both adopt the high-performance dynamic routing circuit for improving S parameter measurement as described in any one of claims 4 to 6; The dual directional coupler matrix includes a plurality of dual directional couplers, the number of which is consistent with the external test ports; The transmission standard routing amplifier unit includes a single-channel input and multiple-channel outputs, and is used to perform balanced amplification on the single-channel input signal and then select one channel of output from the multiple-channel outputs. The number of multiple-channel outputs is one-fourth of the number of external test ports; the reference reception standard routing amplifier unit and the measurement reception standard routing amplifier unit both include multiple-channel inputs and a single-channel output, and are used to perform balanced amplification on the signal of one channel of the multiple inputs and then output it from the single-channel output. The number of multiple-channel inputs is one-fourth of the number of external test ports. The multiple outputs of the transmission standard routing amplifier unit are respectively connected to the through input end of a dual directional coupler, the multiple inputs of the reference reception standard routing amplifier unit are respectively connected to one coupling end of a dual directional coupler, the multiple inputs of the measurement reception standard routing amplifier unit are respectively connected to the other coupling end of a dual directional coupler, and the through output end of each dual directional coupler is used as an external test port; The transmit main port input and six transmit branch port inputs of the transmit dynamic routing amplifier module are used to connect to the excitation source direct output of the vector network analyzer, and the four outputs are respectively connected to the single-channel inputs of four transmit standard routing amplifier units; The receiving main port output end and six receiving sub-port output ends of the reference receiving dynamic routing amplifier module / measurement receiving dynamic routing amplifier module are used to connect to the reference receiving direct input end / measurement receiving direct input end of the vector network analyzer, and the four input ends are respectively connected to the single-channel outputs of four reference receiving standard routing amplifier units / four measurement receiving standard routing amplifier units.

8. The multi-port expansion box for improving S-parameter measurement according to claim 7, characterized in that: Applicable when connected to a two-port vector network analyzer: If two groups of external test ports of a multi-port extension box are used, each group includes one-fourth of the number of external test ports, and any two are selected from the transmission branch port input terminal 1, transmission branch port input terminal 2, transmission branch port input terminal 3, and transmission branch port input terminal 4 of the transmission dynamic routing amplifier module to connect to the two excitation source direct output terminals of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the transmission path 1 is internally selected; and any two are selected from the reception branch port output terminal 1, reception branch port output terminal 2, reception branch port output terminal 3, and reception branch port output terminal 4 of the reference reception dynamic routing amplifier module to connect to the two reference reception direct input terminals of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the reference reception path 1 is internally selected; and any two are selected from the reception branch port output terminal 1, reception branch port output terminal 2, reception branch port output terminal 3, and reception branch port output terminal 4 of the measurement reception dynamic routing amplifier module to connect to the two measurement reception direct input terminals of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the test reception path 1 is internally selected; If four groups of external test ports of a multi-port extension box are used, the transmitting branch port input terminal 5 and the transmitting branch port input terminal 6 of the transmitting dynamic routing amplifier module are connected to the two excitation source direct output terminals of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the transmitting path 2 is internally selected; and the receiving branch port output terminal 5 and the receiving branch port output terminal 6 of the reference receiving dynamic routing amplifier module are connected to the two reference receiving direct input terminals of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the reference receiving path 2 is internally selected; and the receiving branch port output terminal 5 and the receiving branch port output terminal 6 of the measuring receiving dynamic routing amplifier module are connected to the two measuring receiving direct input terminals of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the test receiving path 2 is internally selected; If all eight groups of external test ports of two multi-port extension boxes are used, the transmit total port input end of the transmit dynamic routing amplifier module of the two multi-port extension boxes is connected to the two excitation source direct output ends of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the transmit path three is internally selected; and the receive total port output end of the reference receive dynamic routing amplifier module of the two multi-port extension boxes is connected to the two reference receive direct input ends of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the reference receive path three is internally selected; and the receive total port output end of the measurement receive dynamic routing amplifier module of the two multi-port extension boxes is connected to the two measurement receive direct input ends of the two-port vector network analyzer, and the test receive path three is internally selected.

9. The multi-port expansion box for improving S-parameter measurement according to claim 7, characterized in that: When used in connection with a four-port vector network analyzer: If four groups of external test ports of a multi-port extension box are used, each group contains one-fourth of the number of external test ports, the transmit branch port input terminal 1, transmit branch port input terminal 2, transmit branch port input terminal 3, and transmit branch port input terminal 4 of the transmit dynamic routing amplifier module are connected to the four excitation source direct output terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the transmit path 1 is internally selected; the receive branch port output terminal 1, receive branch port output terminal 2, receive branch port output terminal 3, and receive branch port output terminal 4 of the reference receive dynamic routing amplifier module are connected to the four reference receive direct input terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the reference receive path 1 is internally selected; the receive branch port output terminal 1, receive branch port output terminal 2, receive branch port output terminal 3, and receive branch port output terminal 4 of the measurement receive dynamic routing amplifier module are connected to the four measurement receive direct input terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the test receive path 1 is internally selected; If all eight groups of external test ports of two multi-port extension boxes are used, the transmission branch port input terminal 5 and the transmission branch port input terminal 6 of the transmission dynamic routing amplifier module of the two multi-port extension boxes are connected to the four excitation source direct output terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the transmission path 2 is internally selected; and the reception branch port output terminal 5 and the reception branch port output terminal 6 of the reference reception dynamic routing amplifier module of the two multi-port extension boxes are connected to the four reference reception direct input terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the reference reception path 2 is internally selected; the reception branch port output terminal 5 and the reception branch port output terminal 6 of the measurement reception dynamic routing amplifier module of the two multi-port extension boxes are connected to the four measurement reception direct input terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the test reception path 2 is internally selected; If all sixteen groups of external test ports of four multi-port extension boxes are used, the transmit total port input terminal of the transmit dynamic routing amplifier module of the four multi-port extension boxes is connected to the four excitation source direct output terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the transmit path three is internally selected; the receive total port output terminal of the reference receive dynamic routing amplifier module of the four multi-port extension boxes is connected to the four reference receive direct input terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the reference receive path three is internally selected; the four receive total port output terminals of the measurement receive dynamic routing amplifier module of the four multi-port extension boxes are connected to the four measurement receive direct input terminals of the four-port vector network analyzer, and the test receive path three is internally selected.

10. The multi-port expansion box for improving S-parameter measurement according to claim 7, characterized in that: The coupling port connected to the reference receiving standard routing amplifier unit in the dual directional coupler is the reference coupling end, and the coupling port connected to the measurement receiving standard routing amplifier unit is the measurement coupling end. A fixed attenuation plate is added to the reference coupling end.

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