Test system and method for evaluating influence of plasma coverage on radio frequency system

Abstract

The invention discloses a test system and method for evaluating the influence of plasma coverage on a radio frequency system. The test system comprises a radio frequency signal transceiver, an antenna, a host and a plasma generator, the radio frequency signal transceiver is in communication connection with the host and comprises a transmitting end and a receiving end of a radio frequency signal; the antenna comprises a receiving part and a transmitting part, the receiving part is connected with the receiving end, and the transmitting part is connected with the transmitting end; the plasma generator comprises a radio frequency power supply, a vacuum cavity and a planar coil, the receiving part and the transmitting part are arranged in the vacuum cavity, and the planar coil is connected with the radio frequency power supply and discharges in the vacuum cavity to generate plasma. According to the test system and the test method, test conditions for interference and influence of radio frequency signals in a plasma coverage environment are provided, and a working situation close to reality can be simulated by controlling parameters of the plasma generator and the radio frequency signal transceiver, so that the working influence of the plasma environment on the radio frequency system is evaluated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of radio frequency testing, and particularly to a testing system and a testing method for evaluating the influence of plasma coverage on a radio frequency system. Background Art

[0002] Plasma is the fourth state of matter after the solid, liquid, and gas states. It is a high-energy aggregated state of matter in an ionized state. Plasma has similarities with ordinary gases in the description of certain physical quantities (such as macroscopic pressure, temperature, density, etc.), but its main properties have undergone essential changes compared to ordinary gases. In a gas, as long as the ionized component exceeds one-thousandth, its behavior is mainly dominated by the Coulomb force between ions and electrons. Plasma is a highly conductive current-carrying fluid, and its motion is significantly affected by electromagnetic fields. At the same time, there are a large number of charged particles moving in various forms in plasma, which can cause various radiation processes, such as bremsstrahlung, recombination radiation, cyclotron radiation, excitation radiation, Cherenkov radiation, etc. There are extremely rich interaction phenomena between electromagnetic waves and plasma, which have a significant impact on the propagation of electromagnetic waves.

[0003] With the rapid development of technologies such as plasma stealth technology and aerospace vehicles, the situation where the aircraft surface is covered by plasma generated actively or passively is increasing. Currently, there is a lack of research equipment for evaluating the influence of plasma-covered antennas on radio frequency systems, and it is difficult to obtain data on the operation of radio frequency systems in a plasma environment for impact assessment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a testing system and a testing method for evaluating the influence of plasma coverage on a radio frequency system, so as to solve the problem that there is no reliable system or device for testing the operation of a radio frequency system affected in a plasma environment in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A testing system for evaluating the influence of plasma coverage on a radio frequency system, the testing system comprising: a radio frequency signal transceiver, an antenna, a host, and a plasma generator;

[0006] The radio frequency signal transceiver is communicatively connected to the host. The radio frequency signal transceiver includes a transmitting end and a receiving end of radio frequency signals, and is used for receiving radio frequency signals and uploading them to the host and transmitting radio frequency signals according to the instructions of the host;

[0007] The antenna includes a receiving part and a transmitting part. The receiving part is connected to the receiving end, and the transmitting part is connected to the transmitting end;

[0008] The plasma generator includes a radio frequency power supply, a vacuum chamber, and a planar coil located in the upper half of the vacuum chamber. The receiving part and the transmitting part are arranged in the vacuum chamber. The planar coil is connected to the radio frequency power supply and discharges in the vacuum chamber to generate plasma.

[0009] Optionally, the plasma generator further includes a barometer for detecting the air pressure in the vacuum chamber.

[0010] Optionally, the plasma generator further includes a gas pressure pump communicated with the vacuum chamber, and the gas pressure pump is used for adjusting the internal air pressure of the vacuum chamber.

[0011] Optionally, the host is communicatively connected to the radio frequency signal transceiver for collecting response signals and test data.

[0012] Optionally, the test data includes scattering parameters, gain, loss, return loss, voltage standing wave ratio, or isolation.

[0013] Optionally, the host is also communicatively connected to the barometer, the gas pressure pump, and the radio frequency power supply for setting parameters of the plasma generator.

[0014] Optionally, the radio frequency power supply includes a radio frequency power source and an impedance matcher.

[0015] Optionally, the radio frequency signal transceiver is a vector network analyzer device or a radio frequency system composed of a transmitter and / or a receiver.

[0016] On the other hand, the present application also provides a test method for evaluating the influence of plasma coverage on a radio frequency system. The test method is applied to the test system as described above, and is characterized in that the test method includes:

[0017] Setting parameters of the plasma generator through the host;

[0018] Turning on the radio frequency power supply of the plasma generator to excite plasma in the vacuum chamber;

[0019] Controlling the radio frequency signal transceiver by the host to transmit a radio frequency signal, and collecting the response signal and test data of the radio frequency signal transceiver;

[0020] Summarizing and analyzing and evaluating the collected test data.

[0021] Optionally, the step of setting parameters of the plasma generator through the host includes:

[0022] Adjust the pumping times of the air pressure pump through the host and detect the air pressure in the vacuum chamber through the barometer, so as to stabilize the air pressure in the vacuum chamber at a preset value.

[0023] Optionally, the step of turning on the RF power supply of the plasma generator and exciting plasma in the vacuum chamber includes:

[0024] Turn on the RF power supply of the plasma generator;

[0025] Set the RF power supply to a preset power through the host;

[0026] Excite plasma in the vacuum chamber at the preset power.

[0027] The test system for evaluating the influence of plasma coverage on the RF system of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: By integrating components such as an RF signal transceiver, an antenna, a host, and a plasma generator, a complete test platform is formed, and the automation of some test work can be achieved by controlling the transceiver of RF signals with the host; and by placing the reception and transmission of RF signals in the vacuum chamber of the plasma generator, a working scenario of plasma coverage is simulated by exciting plasma in the vacuum chamber, so as to reliably evaluate the working state of the RF system in the plasma coverage environment according to the experimental data related to RF signals, and has high reference value, which helps to predict and optimize the performance of the on-board RF system in actual applications. Description of the Drawings

[0028] Figure 1 It is a connection schematic diagram of an embodiment of the test system of the present application;

[0029] Figure 2 It is a flowchart of an embodiment of the test method of the present application;

[0030] Serial number description: 1. RF signal transceiver; 2. Antenna; 3. Host; 4. Vacuum chamber; 5. RF power supply; 6. Planar coil; 7. Barometer; 8. Air pressure pump.

[0031] The realization, functional characteristics and advantages of the purpose of the present application will be further described with reference to the embodiments and the drawings. Detailed Embodiments

[0032] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0033] The terms "first", "second", and "third" in this application are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first", "second", and "third" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of this application, the meaning of "a plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined. In the embodiments of this application, all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement conditions between components in a specific posture (as shown in the drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly. In addition, the terms "comprise" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally further include unlisted steps or units, or may optionally further include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0034] Referring to "embodiments" herein means that the specific features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The phrase appearing at various positions in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0035] An embodiment of this application provides a test system for evaluating the impact of plasma coverage on a radio frequency system. The test system includes: a radio frequency signal transceiver 1, an antenna 2, a host 3, and a plasma generator;

[0036] The radio frequency signal transceiver 1 is communicatively connected to the host 3. The radio frequency signal transceiver 1 includes a transmitting end and a receiving end of radio frequency signals. The radio frequency signal transceiver 1 is used to receive radio frequency signals and upload them to the host 3 and transmit radio frequency signals according to the instructions of the host 3. Among them, when the host is communicatively connected to the radio frequency signal transceiver, it can be used to collect response signals and test data. The test data includes at least one of parameters such as scattering parameters, gain, loss, return loss, voltage standing wave ratio, or isolation.

[0037] The antenna 2 includes a receiving part and a transmitting part. The receiving part is connected to the receiving end, and the transmitting part is connected to the transmitting end;

[0038] The plasma generator includes a radio frequency power supply 5, a vacuum chamber 4, and a planar coil 6 located in the upper half of the vacuum chamber 4. The receiving part and the transmitting part are arranged in the vacuum chamber 4. The planar coil 6 is connected to the radio frequency power supply 5 and discharges in the vacuum chamber 4 to generate plasma.

[0039] See Figure 1 , which is a connection schematic diagram of an embodiment of the test system of the present application. The radio frequency signal transceiver 1 is set in the test system as an analog radar or other communication system. It can be a conventional radio frequency signal system, usually including a receiver, a transmitter, a signal control module, a signal processing module, a radio frequency front-end module, etc. In addition, to test the influence of radio frequency signals on electromagnetic waves in a plasma-covered environment, in addition to the radio frequency system form composed of the transmitter and the receiver as described above, the radio frequency signal transceiver 1 can also use a vector network analyzer device. The vector network analyzer generates a known and precisely controllable radio frequency signal through a built-in signal source (source module), and then injects this signal into the device or system under test through a test port. After that, it will receive and analyze the signal reflected by the device under test (reflection measurement) and the signal transmitted through the device under test (transmission measurement). This process allows the vector network analyzer to measure key performance indicators such as the scattering parameters, gain, loss, return loss, voltage standing wave ratio, or isolation of the radio frequency system.

[0040] The receiving end of the radio frequency signal transceiver 1 mainly completes the amplification, filtering, equalization, and compensation of the received signal, and performs down-conversion to complete the radio frequency / intermediate frequency conversion. Then, through signal processing and analysis, signal acquisition, signal detection, etc. are completed and the results are uploaded to the host 3. The transmitting end of the radio frequency signal transceiver 1 mainly generates an intermediate frequency signal through signal processing and analysis according to the command of the host 3, and completes the intermediate frequency to radio frequency conversion through up-conversion. Then, the radio frequency signal is amplified, filtered, etc., and the radio frequency signal is transmitted through the transmitting part of the antenna 2.

[0041] The host 3 is communicatively connected to the radio frequency signal transceiver 1 and can be on the human-computer interaction side. By operating the host 3, the radio frequency signal can be set, the radio frequency signal receiver can be controlled, and the working state of the radio frequency signal transceiver 1 can also be viewed through the host 3.

[0042] The antenna 2 is a device for converting the energy between guided electromagnetic waves and space electromagnetic waves. The receiving antenna is connected to the receiving part of the radio frequency system through a radio frequency cable, and the transmitting antenna is connected to the transmitting part of the radio frequency system through a radio frequency cable. In this system, the electrical signal and electromagnetic wave of the radio frequency signal are converted to achieve transceiver.

[0043] The plasma generator in this system is a device or unit that simulates the plasma coverage environment. In this embodiment, a flat-plate radio-frequency inductively coupled plasma generator is used. Compared with traditional cylindrical or spiral coil structures, the flat-plate design can provide a more uniform plasma coverage environment. Cooperating with the antenna 2 placed in the vacuum chamber 4, it can be closer to the actual coverage scenario, enabling the radio-frequency system (signal) to be evenly and completely covered by the plasma, which is beneficial to the accuracy of the test results.

[0044] Specifically, the plasma generator uses a vacuum chamber 4 as the reaction chamber. The planar coil 6 is semi-suspended in the upper half of the vacuum chamber 4 (two electrodes are fixed on the inner wall of the vacuum chamber 4). The planar coil 6 is separated from the lower half of the vacuum chamber 4 by materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The radio-frequency power supply 5 is connected to the planar coil 6 located above the vacuum chamber 4 through a radio-frequency cable. The radio-frequency power supply 5 consists of a radio-frequency power source and a corresponding matcher. In some embodiments, the plasma generator further includes a barometer 7 for detecting the air pressure in the vacuum chamber 4 and an air pressure pump 8 connected to the vacuum chamber 4. The barometer 7 can view the air pressure in real time, and the air pressure pump 8 is used to adjust the internal air pressure of the vacuum chamber 4. The air pressure pump 8 can be implemented in the form of a mechanical pump. The host 3 is communicatively connected to the barometer 7, the air pressure pump 8, and the radio-frequency power supply 5 (realized by the electrical signal mode of the sensor) so as to directly obtain the air pressure parameter information through the host 3 and control the air pressure parameters of the test environment.

[0045] The test system of this embodiment integrates components such as the radio-frequency signal transceiver 1, the antenna 2, the host 3, and the plasma generator to form a complete test platform, and places the reception and transmission of radio-frequency signals in the vacuum chamber 4 of the plasma generator. By exciting plasma in the vacuum chamber 4, a working scenario of plasma coverage is simulated, so as to reliably evaluate the working state of the radio-frequency system under the plasma coverage environment based on the experimental data related to the radio-frequency signal, and has high reference value, which helps to predict and optimize the performance of the on-board radio-frequency system in actual applications.

[0046] On the other hand, the present application also provides a test method for evaluating the influence of plasma coverage on the radio-frequency system. The test method is applied to the test system as described above. Refer to Figure 2 and the test method includes:

[0047] Step S1, set the parameters of the plasma generator through the host 3;

[0048] Step S2, turn on the radio-frequency power supply 5 of the plasma generator to excite plasma in the vacuum chamber 4;

[0049] Step S3, controlling the RF signal transceiver 1 to receive and send RF signals through the host 3, and collecting response signals and test data of the RF signal transceiver 1;

[0050] Step S4, collecting, analyzing and evaluating the response signals and test data.

[0051] In some embodiments, the step of setting the parameters of the plasma generator by the host 3 includes:

[0052] The pumping frequency of the air pressure pump 8 is adjusted by the host 3 and the air pressure of the vacuum chamber 4 is detected by the barometer 7 so that the air pressure of the vacuum chamber 4 is stabilized at a preset value.

[0053] Optionally, the step of turning on the radio frequency power supply 5 of the plasma generator to excite plasma in the vacuum chamber 4 includes:

[0054] Turning on the radio frequency power supply 5 of the plasma generator;

[0055] Setting the radio frequency power source 5 to a preset power through the host 3;

[0056] Plasma is excited in the vacuum chamber 4 at the preset power.

[0057] The test method of the present application is implemented based on the aforementioned test system. The following will combine specific experiments to introduce how the method uses the aforementioned test system to implement a test to evaluate the impact of plasma coverage on the RF system.

[0058] In step S1, the air pressure of the vacuum chamber 4 is reduced by using the air pressure pump 8 (or mechanical pump) under the control of the host 3, and the air pressure of the vacuum chamber 4 is stabilized at about 10 Pa. In the embodiment where the air pressure pump 8 is a mechanical pump, the air pressure cannot be completely stabilized due to the performance of the mechanical pump, and the air pressure of the vacuum chamber 4 will fluctuate, generally 7 to 13 Pa.

[0059] Step S2, turning on the radio frequency power supply 5 and exciting the plasma.

[0060] In steps 3 and 4, the simplest and most intuitive evaluation method is to determine whether the RF system is operating normally at this time by observing the response signal and test data, such as whether the RF system is turned on and off normally, and whether an error prompt or warning prompt is generated.

[0061] In another embodiment of the evaluation test, the conventional radio frequency system can be replaced with a vector network analyzer device to measure the standing waves of the antenna receiving part and the antenna transmitting part and the isolation between the antenna receiving part and the antenna transmitting part before igniting the plasma in the above step S3. Therefore, a step can be added after step S1 and before step S2:

[0062] Step S10, measure the standing waves of the receiving part and the transmitting part of the antenna, and the isolation between the receiving part and the transmitting part of the antenna.

[0063] More specifically, step S4 includes step S40 of measuring again the standing waves of the receiving part and the generating part of the antenna and the isolation between the receiving part and the transmitting part of the antenna under the excited plasma environment.

[0064] Understandably, by analyzing and evaluating the content, that is, comparing the measured values obtained in the above steps S10 and S40, the influence of plasma coverage on the standing waves of the receiving part and the transmitting part of the antenna and the isolation between the receiving part and the transmitting part of the antenna can be obtained.

[0065] The following demonstrates the application of the test system of the present application in combination with experimental data, so as to understand the realization of the evaluation of the influence of plasma coverage on the radio frequency system in combination with the foregoing test method:

[0066] Example 1: Using the foregoing test method, place the upper and lower antennas of a certain airborne radio frequency system in a cavity and connect them to the host of the system, and excite the radio frequency plasma. It is observed that the host can be normally powered on and off under the condition that the plasma covers the antenna, and there is no error code display, indicating that the plasma coverage at this power has no obvious influence on the airborne radio frequency system, and the radio frequency system can normally receive and transmit radio frequency signals.

[0067] Example 2: Using the foregoing test method, place the upper and lower antennas of the above airborne radio frequency system in a cavity and connect them to a vector network analyzer. Before exciting the plasma, the vector network measured that the standing wave ratio of the upper antenna of the radio frequency system at the 1 GHz frequency point was 1.13, the standing wave ratio of the lower antenna at the 1 GHz frequency point was 1.15, and the isolation between the upper and lower antennas at the 1 GHz frequency point was 30 dB; after exciting the radio frequency plasma, at the 1 GHz frequency point, the standing wave ratio of the upper antenna of the airborne radio frequency system dropped to 1.10, the standing wave ratio of the lower antenna dropped to 1.11, and the isolation between the upper and lower antennas increased to 40 dB.

[0068] Combining the above Examples 1 and 2, it can be seen that when the plasma covers the receiving and transmitting antennas, the radio frequency system can work normally. The decrease in the standing wave and the increase in the isolation may be due to the plasma absorbing the electromagnetic waves entering / leaving the antenna, resulting in the electromagnetic waves being unable to be normally transmitted / received via the antenna. Therefore, when the plasma machine covers the receiving and transmitting antennas, it may reduce the signal receiving and transmitting ability of the radio frequency system.

[0069] In summary, the above Examples 1 and 2 have realized the test of whether the airborne radio frequency system can withstand the influence of plasma covering the receiving and transmitting antennas. The test system and method of the present application can be used for the evaluation of the anti-plasma influence ability of the radio frequency system.

[0070] Combining the foregoing embodiments and implementation manners, the test system of the present application integrates components such as a radio frequency signal transceiver, an antenna, a host computer, and a plasma generator to form a complete test platform. The host computer controls the transceiver of radio frequency signals and other auxiliary facilities to achieve the automation of the test work. The reception and transmission of radio frequency signals are placed in the vacuum chamber of the plasma generator, and the working scenario covered by the plasma is simulated by exciting the plasma in the vacuum chamber. Thus, the influence degree of the plasma-covered environment on the radio frequency system can be evaluated according to the experimental data related to the radio frequency signal or the working state parameters of the radio frequency system, and it has high reference value, which helps to predict and optimize the performance of the on-board radio frequency system in actual applications. Possibly, the test conditions of parameter influence can be further refined through this test system, and a specific model of the influence of plasma coverage on the operation of the radio frequency system can be provided, so as to achieve a breakthrough in plasma stealth technology.

[0071] The specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, but they are only examples, and the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. For those skilled in the art, any equivalent modification or substitution to the invention is also within the scope of the invention. Therefore, all equal transformations, modifications, improvements, etc. made without departing from the spirit and principle of the invention should be covered within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A test system for evaluating the impact of plasma coverage on a radio frequency system, characterized in that, The described test system includes: a radio frequency signal transceiver, an antenna, a host computer, and a plasma generator; The radio frequency signal transceiver is communicatively connected to the host computer. The radio frequency signal transceiver includes a transmitting end and a receiving end of radio frequency signals. The radio frequency signal transceiver is used to receive radio frequency signals and upload them to the host computer, and to transmit radio frequency signals according to the instructions of the host computer; The antenna includes a receiving part and a transmitting part. The receiving part is connected to the receiving end, and the transmitting part is connected to the transmitting end; The plasma generator includes a radio frequency power supply, a vacuum chamber, and a planar coil located in the upper half of the vacuum chamber. The receiving part and the transmitting part are arranged in the vacuum chamber. The planar coil is connected to the radio frequency power supply and discharges in the vacuum chamber to generate plasma.

2. The test system according to claim 1, wherein The plasma generator further includes a barometer for detecting the air pressure in the vacuum chamber.

3. The test system according to claim 2, characterized in that The plasma generator further includes a vacuum pump communicated with the vacuum chamber. The vacuum pump is used to adjust the internal air pressure of the vacuum chamber.

4. The test system according to claim 3, wherein The host computer is communicatively connected to the radio frequency signal transceiver and is used to collect response signals and test data.

5. The test system according to claim 4, wherein The test data includes scattering parameters, gain, loss, return loss, voltage standing wave ratio, or isolation.

6. The test system according to claim 5, wherein The host computer is further communicatively connected to the barometer, the vacuum pump, and the radio frequency power supply, and is used to set parameters for the plasma generator.

7. The test system according to any one of claims 5-6, characterized in that, The radio frequency power supply includes a radio frequency power source and an impedance matcher.

8. The test system according to claim 1, wherein The radio frequency signal transceiver is a vector network analyzer device or a radio frequency system composed of a transmitter and / or a receiver.

9. A test method for evaluating the impact of plasma coverage on a radio frequency system, which is applied to the test system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The described test method includes: Setting parameters of the plasma generator through the host computer; Turning on the radio frequency power supply of the plasma generator to excite plasma in the vacuum chamber; Controlling the radio frequency signal transceiver to transmit radio frequency signals through the host computer, and collecting response signals and test data of the radio frequency signal transceiver; Summarizing, analyzing, and evaluating the collected test data.

10. The testing method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The step of setting parameters of the plasma generator through the host computer includes: Adjusting the pumping times of the vacuum pump through the host computer and detecting the air pressure in the vacuum chamber through the barometer, so that the air pressure in the vacuum chamber is stabilized at a preset value.

11. The testing method according to claim 9, characterized in that The step of turning on the radio frequency power supply of the plasma generator to excite plasma in the vacuum chamber includes: Turning on the radio frequency power supply of the plasma generator; Setting the radio frequency power supply to a preset power through the host computer; Exciting plasma in the vacuum chamber at the preset power.

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