Radio frequency coaxial cable assembly phase matching mechanism and use method

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of radio frequency connectors, and particularly relates to a radio frequency coaxial cable assembly phase matching mechanism and a use method. Comprising a mainframe box unit, a cable cutting unit is arranged on one side of the mainframe box unit, a cable testing unit is arranged above the cable cutting unit, the cable testing unit and the cable cutting unit are electrically connected with the mainframe box unit, and the mainframe box unit controls the cable testing unit and the cable cutting unit to work through electric control signals. The host control unit is used for controlling the testing unit to test and the cutting unit to act, so that the purpose of matching and cutting is achieved; phase matching cutting can be stably and quickly completed, and repeated welding of the head of a cable during manual phase matching is avoided, so that the product quality is improved; convenient operation of a human-computer interface is achieved, manpower is saved to a great extent, and production efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of radio frequency connector technology, specifically relating to a matching mechanism and usage method for a radio frequency coaxial cable assembly. Background Technology

[0002] In radio frequency (RF) systems, RF cables play a crucial role in transmitting RF signals. The phase characteristics of an RF cable are closely related to its length, a relationship that is critical for RF system design, performance optimization, and signal integrity assurance. When designing an RF system, the appropriate cable length must be selected based on the system's phase requirements. For example, behind the thousands of antenna elements in a phased array radar, any deviation in the length of each feeder (i.e., the RF cable) can lead to signal phase mismatch, severely impacting beam pointing accuracy and sidelobe levels, ultimately weakening the radar's detection performance.

[0003] Despite the stringent requirements for phase consistency in RF cables in the aforementioned fields, achieving absolutely equal cable lengths is often extremely difficult in practical engineering. Due to physical constraints such as internal equipment layout, mechanical structure, and heat dissipation paths, variations in RF cable length are inevitable. Furthermore, even with pre-calculated cable lengths, slight changes in electrical length can occur after installation and bending. These length differences directly translate into uncontrolled phase errors, injected into the RF signal, and disrupt the phase relationships designed for the system. Therefore, the core challenge for engineers is how to effectively eliminate or compensate for these phase deviations introduced by length variations after installation to ensure the entire RF system operates precisely according to its theoretical design.

[0004] To address phase issues caused by cable length variations, the industry has long employed a measurement-based compensation method known as the "cut-and-compensate method." The basic process involves: first, the cable is initially cut and installed to the estimated length; then, using precision instruments such as a network analyzer, the insertion phase of the cable is measured at the actual operating frequency; next, the measured phase is compared with the theoretical target phase required by the system to calculate the phase difference; finally, based on the phase difference and the cable's phase constant (phase change per unit length), the required additional cutting length is deduced, and secondary or even multiple fine-tuning operations are performed. This method is essentially a physical iterative process of "measurement-calculation-correction," aiming to ensure that the electrical length (reflected in phase) of each cable matches the system's required value. This method relies on high-precision instruments and the experience of operators, and has been the primary technical means for solving such problems for decades.

[0005] However, the aforementioned traditional cutting compensation method has revealed a series of significant drawbacks in practice. First, the entire process relies heavily on manual operation and repeated testing, resulting in extremely low efficiency. Each cable may require multiple cycles of "measurement-cutting-retesting," which is time-consuming in large systems with hundreds or thousands of channels, becoming a bottleneck in production and debugging. Second, the cutting process is irreversible. Over-cutting can render the entire high-value RF cable unusable, resulting in material loss. Furthermore, repeated disassembly and reconnection of cables for testing not only increases operational complexity but also introduces additional error risks such as connector wear and poor contact, and may even damage expensive connector interfaces. Finally, this method is ill-suited to the flexible and rapid-response demands of modern production. Therefore, how to break through this compensation model that relies on post-operative physical cutting, is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and carries the risk of material waste, and achieve more efficient, accurate, and non-destructive phase compensation has become a critical technical challenge that urgently needs to be addressed in the field of RF engineering. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a matching mechanism and method for radio frequency coaxial cable assemblies, so as to solve the technical problem in the prior art of repeated testing and cutting compensation when the cable length is not suitable.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following technical solution: In a first aspect, this application discloses a radio frequency coaxial cable assembly matching mechanism, including a main unit chassis unit, a cable cutting unit disposed on one side of the main unit chassis unit, a cable testing unit disposed above the cable cutting unit, the cable testing unit being electrically connected to the main unit chassis unit, and the main unit chassis unit controlling the operation of the cable testing unit through an electrical control signal.

[0008] Preferably, the main unit includes a main unit, control buttons, and an emergency stop switch; both the control buttons and the emergency stop switch are located on the main unit.

[0009] Preferably, the main unit is equipped with a power supply, a driver, a solid-state relay and a PLC; the solid-state relay, the cable testing unit, the cable cutting unit, the control button and the emergency stop switch are all electrically connected to the PLC, the solid-state relay is connected to the driver, and the driver is connected to the cable cutting unit.

[0010] Preferably, the control buttons include a start button, a stop button, and a reset button, which are sequentially arranged on the main unit chassis. During normal operation, the emergency stop switch is in the off state.

[0011] Preferably, the power source is a DC power source.

[0012] Preferably, the cable testing unit includes a vector network analyzer, test line A, and test line B; test line A and test line B are used to fix the cable assembly, and test line A and test line B are located below the vector network analyzer. The vector network analyzer is electrically connected to the host chassis unit and is used to analyze and test the cable assembly and then upload the results to the host chassis unit.

[0013] Preferably, the cable cutting unit includes an automatic wire stripper and a servo motor assembly. The automatic wire stripper and the servo motor assembly are connected. The servo motor assembly is electrically connected to the main unit. The servo motor assembly drives the automatic wire stripper to strip the cable.

[0014] Secondly, this application discloses a method of using a radio frequency coaxial cable assembly matching mechanism, including: The main unit control cable test unit performs phase tests on the cable assemblies and feeds back the test results to the main unit. The main unit calculates the cutting length based on the test results; After the main unit control cable cutting unit strips the cable assembly according to the cutting length, the cable testing unit performs phase testing on the cable assembly again and feeds back the test results to the main unit.

[0015] Preferably, the cable testing unit includes a vector network analyzer, test cable A end, and test cable B end; including: The cable assembly is fixed at test line A and test line B. The main unit controls the vector network analyzer to perform phase tests on the cable assembly and feeds back the test results to the main unit. The main unit calculates the cutting length based on the test results; After the main unit control cable cutting unit strips the cable assembly according to the cutting length, the cable testing unit performs phase testing on the cable assembly again and feeds back the test results to the main unit.

[0016] Preferably, the cable cutting unit includes an automatic wire stripper and a servo motor assembly; comprising: The main unit control cable test unit performs phase tests on the cable assemblies and feeds back the test results to the main unit. The main unit calculates the cutting length based on the test results; After the main unit controls the servo motor assembly to drive the automatic wire stripper to strip the cable assembly according to the cutting length, the cable testing unit performs phase testing on the cable assembly again and feeds back the test results to the main unit.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: This application employs a host control unit to control the testing and cutting units, achieving the purpose of phase matching and cutting. Furthermore, the integrated spatial and functional layout achieves a compact and efficient process, tightly linking the two key processes of testing and cutting. This virtually eliminates long-distance material handling and repositioning between processes, significantly shortening the processing cycle of a single cable and improving overall operational efficiency. Secondly, this layout helps ensure consistency between measurement and processing. Since the testing port and cutting edge are spatially fixed and coordinated by the same control system, errors introduced by repeated clamping or positional changes are effectively reduced, ensuring the correspondence between "accurate measurement" and "accurate cutting," thereby improving the final phase matching accuracy. Thirdly, it optimizes human-machine interaction and safety. All controls are centralized in the main unit, providing a clear operating interface. In addition, this modular design also brings good maintainability and expandability. Each functional unit is relatively independent, facilitating individual debugging, maintenance, or upgrades (e.g., replacing with a higher-precision testing module), providing convenience for long-term stable operation and technological iteration of the equipment. Overall, this is a hardware architecture solution that cleverly integrates functionality, precision, and engineering practicality, and its approach has been developed from scratch. By utilizing servo motors and PLC control, phase matching and cutting can be completed relatively smoothly and quickly, avoiding repeated welding of cable heads during manual phase matching, thus improving product quality. This mechanism is equipped with an advanced touch screen to realize convenient human-machine interface operation, which greatly saves manpower and improves production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the device structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal control section of the main unit chassis according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cable cutting unit structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cable testing unit structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Among them: 100-Main chassis unit: 110-Main chassis, 111-Power supply, 112-Driver, 113-Solid state relay, 114-PLC, 130-Emergency stop switch, 120-Control button, 200-Cable testing unit: 210-Vector network analyzer, 220-Test line A end, 230-Test line B end, 300-Cable cutting unit: 310-Automatic wire stripper, 320-Servo motor assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0022] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0023] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0024] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "horizontal," or "inner" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of the invention is in use, they are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0025] Furthermore, the use of the term "horizontal" does not imply that the component must be absolutely horizontal, but rather that it can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0026] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings: See Figure 1 This application discloses a RF coaxial cable assembly matching mechanism, including a main unit 100, a cable cutting unit 300 on one side of the main unit 100, and a cable testing unit 200 above the cable cutting unit 300. The cable testing unit 200 and the cable cutting unit 300 are electrically connected to the main unit 100, and the main unit 100 controls the operation of the cable testing unit 200 and the cable cutting unit 300 through electrical control signals. The cable to be processed can be smoothly moved or transferred from the testing station to the cutting station. Its core working principle is closed-loop control: the main unit, as the control center, first starts and controls the cable testing unit to work through electrical control signals such as digital I / O or communication bus instructions to obtain the precise electrical parameters of the cable, such as phase or electrical length; then, the controller in the main unit, such as a PLC, calculates the required compensation length in real time based on the test results; finally, it drives the cable cutting unit to perform the corresponding high-precision cutting. The entire process is centrally coordinated by the "brain," realizing unmanned intelligent decision-making and operation from measurement to execution. In some embodiments, this invention mainly relates to a phasing mechanism for radio frequency coaxial cable assemblies, comprising a main chassis unit, a cable testing unit, and a cable cutting unit, specifically designed for phasing of radio frequency coaxial cable assemblies. The main chassis unit controls the entire mechanism's operation via a PLC within a control box. The cable testing unit analyzes and tests the cable assembly using a vector network analyzer. The cable cutting unit cuts the analyzed and tested cable, followed by further testing until performance is qualified.

[0028] In some embodiments, the main unit 100 includes a main unit 110, control buttons 120, and an emergency stop switch 130. Both the control buttons 120 and the emergency stop switch 130 are located on the main unit 110, significantly improving the safety and reliability of equipment operation. The direct hardware connection of the emergency stop switch ensures that a reliable physical safety barrier is still provided in the event of any software failure or control system malfunction, effectively preventing personal injury or equipment damage. This also optimizes the efficiency and standardization of human-machine interaction.

[0029] In some embodiments, the main unit chassis 110 houses a power supply 111, a driver 112, a servo motor 113, a PLC 114, and a solid-state relay 113. The solid-state relay 113, cable testing unit 200, cable cutting unit 300, control button 120, and emergency stop switch 130 are all electrically connected to the PLC 114. The solid-state relay 113 is connected to the driver 112, and the driver 112 is connected to the cable cutting unit 300. The power supply provides power to all components. The PLC's input ports are connected to the contacts of the control button and emergency stop switch, and also to the data output of the testing unit. The PLC's output ports control the enable or control signals of the driver via the solid-state relay. The driver drives the cable cutting unit 300.

[0030] In some embodiments, the control button 120 includes a start button, a stop button, and a reset button, which are sequentially arranged on the main unit chassis 110. During normal operation, the emergency stop switch 130 is in the off state.

[0031] In some embodiments, the cable testing unit 200 includes a vector network analyzer 210, test line A end 220, and test line B end 230; test line A end 220 and test line B end 230 are used to fix the cable assembly, and the test line A end 220 and test line B end 230 are located below the vector network analyzer 210. The vector network analyzer 210 is electrically connected to the host chassis unit 100 and is used to analyze and test the cable assembly and then upload the results to the host chassis unit 100.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cable cutting unit 300 includes an automatic wire stripper 310 and a servo motor assembly 320. The automatic wire stripper 310 and the servo motor assembly 320 are connected. The servo motor assembly 320 is electrically connected to the main unit 100. The servo motor assembly 320 drives the automatic wire stripper 310 to strip the cable.

[0033] In some embodiments, a radio frequency coaxial cable assembly matching mechanism includes: a main unit chassis 100, a cable testing unit 200, and a cable cutting unit 300. The main unit 100 automatically analyzes and tests the electrical control signal cable test unit 200, and the cable cutting unit 300 drives the wire stripper 310 forward through the servo motor 320 component to strip the cable.

[0034] The main unit includes a DC power supply 111, a PLC 114, a servo motor 113, a solid-state relay 113, a servo motor driver 112, a display screen 130, control switches and buttons 140, etc., all of which are standard parts. The DC power supply 111 uses 24V.

[0035] The cable testing unit 200 structure clamps and fixes the cable assembly through test line A end 220 and test line B end 230, and analyzes and tests the cable assembly through vector network analyzer 210.

[0036] The cable cutting unit 300 is driven by the servo motor assembly 320 to move the automatic wire stripper 310 forward to strip the analyzed and tested cables.

[0037] To address the shortcomings and deficiencies of existing fabrication technologies, the purpose of this invention is to provide a convenient cyclic system for testing and compensation removal followed by retesting. This application proposes a method for using a phase-matching mechanism for an RF coaxial cable assembly, comprising: The main unit 100 controls the cable test unit 200 to perform phase tests on the cable assembly and feeds back the test results to the main unit 100. The main unit 100 calculates the cutting length based on the test results; After the main unit chassis unit 100 controls the cable cutting unit 300 to strip the cable assembly according to the cutting length, the cable testing unit 200 performs a phase test on the cable assembly again and feeds back the test results to the main unit chassis unit 100. The main unit control unit controls the testing unit and the cutting unit to achieve the purpose of phase matching and cutting.

[0038] In some embodiments, the cable testing unit 200 includes a vector network analyzer 210, test cable A end 220, and test cable B end 230; including: The cable assembly is fixed at test line A end 220 and test line B end 230. The main unit 100 controls the vector network analyzer 210 to perform phase testing on the cable assembly and feeds back the test results to the main unit 100. The main unit 100 calculates the cutting length based on the test results; After the control cable cutting unit 300 strips the cable assembly according to the cutting length, the cable testing unit 200 performs a phase test on the cable assembly again and feeds back the test results to the control cable unit 100.

[0039] In some embodiments, the cable cutting unit 300 includes an automatic wire stripper 310 and a servo motor assembly 320; including: The main unit 100 controls the cable test unit 200 to perform phase tests on the cable assembly and feeds back the test results to the main unit 100. The main unit 100 calculates the cutting length based on the test results; After the main unit 100 controls the servo motor assembly 320 to drive the automatic wire stripper 310 to strip the cable assembly according to the cutting length, the cable testing unit 200 performs phase testing on the cable assembly again and feeds back the test results to the main unit 100.

[0040] Example 1: like Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a radio frequency coaxial cable assembly matching mechanism for matching and cutting coaxial cable products. It includes a main unit chassis 100, a cable testing unit 200, and a cable cutting unit 300. The main unit chassis 100 controls the electrical signals of the cable testing unit 200 for automatic analysis and testing. The cable cutting unit 300, via a servo motor assembly 320, drives a wire stripper 310 to strip the cable.

[0041] The cable test unit 200 structure is designed to clamp and fix both ends of the cable via test line A end 220 and test line A end 230, and the vector network analyzer 210 performs automatic analysis and testing on the coaxial cable assembly.

[0042] The cable cutting unit 300 structure uses a servo motor assembly 320 to drive an automatic wire stripper 310 forward to strip the analyzed and tested cables.

[0043] The process of using the phase in the embodiments of the present invention is as follows: Clamp and secure both ends of the coaxial cable assembly to be tested to test leads A and B, then press the button to start the equipment. The vector network analyzer initiates the test phase and feeds the results back to the host. The automatic wire stripper, driven by a servo motor assembly, cuts off excess cable. The vector network analyzer then retests until the performance is satisfactory.

[0044] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A RF coaxial cable assembly matching mechanism, characterized in that, The system includes a main unit chassis (100), a cable cutting unit (300) on one side of the main unit chassis (100), a cable testing unit (200) above the cable cutting unit (300), the cable testing unit (200) and the cable cutting unit (300) being electrically connected to the main unit chassis (100), and the main unit chassis (100) controlling the cable testing unit (200) and the cable cutting unit (300) to work via electrical control signals.

2. The radio frequency coaxial cable assembly matching mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main unit (100) includes a main unit (110), a control button (120) and an emergency stop switch (130); the control button (120) and the emergency stop switch (130) are both located on the main unit (110).

3. The radio frequency coaxial cable assembly matching mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The main unit (110) is equipped with a power supply (111), a driver (112), a solid-state relay (113) and a PLC (114); the solid-state relay (113), the cable testing unit (200), the cable cutting unit (300), the control button (120) and the emergency stop switch (130) are all electrically connected to the PLC (114), the solid-state relay (113) is connected to the driver (112), and the driver (112) is connected to the cable cutting unit (300).

4. The radio frequency coaxial cable assembly matching mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control button (120) includes a start button, a stop button and a reset button. The start button, stop button and reset button are arranged sequentially on the main unit box (110). During normal operation, the emergency stop switch (130) is in the closed state.

5. The radio frequency coaxial cable assembly matching mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The power supply (111) is a DC power supply.

6. The radio frequency coaxial cable assembly matching mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cable testing unit (200) includes a vector network analyzer (210), test line A end (220) and test line B end (230); test line A end (220) and test line B end (230) are used to fix the cable assembly. Test line A end (220) and test line B end (230) are located below the vector network analyzer (210). The vector network analyzer (210) is electrically connected to the host chassis unit (100) and is used to analyze and test the cable assembly and then upload the results to the host chassis unit (100).

7. The radio frequency coaxial cable assembly matching mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cable cutting unit (300) includes an automatic wire stripper (310) and a servo motor assembly (320). The automatic wire stripper (310) and the servo motor assembly (320) are connected. The servo motor assembly (320) is electrically connected to the main unit (100). The servo motor assembly (320) drives the automatic wire stripper (310) to strip the cable.

8. A method of using the RF coaxial cable assembly phase matching mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, include: The main chassis unit (100) controls the cable test unit (200) to perform phase tests on the cable assembly and feeds back the test results to the main chassis unit (100). The cutting length of the main unit (100) is calculated based on the test results; After the main unit (100) controls the cable cutting unit (300) to strip the cable assembly according to the cutting length, the cable testing unit (200) performs phase testing on the cable assembly again and feeds back the test results to the main unit (100).

9. The method of using the RF coaxial cable assembly phase matching mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that, The cable test unit (200) includes a vector network analyzer (210), test line A end (220) and test line B end (230). include: The cable assembly is fixed at test line A (220) and test line B (230). The main unit (100) controls the vector network analyzer (210) to perform phase testing on the cable assembly and feeds back the test results to the main unit (100). The cutting length of the main unit (100) is calculated based on the test results; After the main unit (100) controls the cable cutting unit (300) to strip the cable assembly according to the cutting length, the cable testing unit (200) performs phase testing on the cable assembly again and feeds back the test results to the main unit (100).

10. The method of using the RF coaxial cable assembly phase matching mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that, The cable cutting unit (300) includes an automatic wire stripper (310) and a servo motor assembly (320); including: The main chassis unit (100) controls the cable test unit (200) to perform phase tests on the cable assembly and feeds back the test results to the main chassis unit (100). The cutting length of the main unit (100) is calculated based on the test results; After the main unit (100) controls the servo motor assembly (320) to drive the automatic wire stripper (310) to strip the cable assembly according to the cutting length, the cable test unit (200) performs phase test on the cable assembly again and feeds back the test results to the main unit (100).

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