Miniature vector signal machine development method
By designing a miniature vector signal generator, utilizing baseband RF board and software radio technology, and combining it with a virtual machine, we have achieved low-cost and highly portable vector signal generation and monitoring, solving the application challenges of existing equipment in non-standard environments.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 姚碧琛
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing vector signal equipment is expensive and difficult to adapt to non-standard measurement and testing environments such as field tests and simple functional verification, lacking low-cost and convenient solutions.
Design a miniature vector signal generator that uses a baseband RF board and software radio technology, combined with virtual machine technology, to achieve signal generation and control through a software toolkit. It supports frequency expansion, has independent transmit and receive channels, high integration, is suitable for "pocket-sized" designs, and supports full-duplex operation.
It provides a low-cost, highly portable, and convenient vector signal solution suitable for non-standard environments, supports the generation and real-time monitoring of various signal types, and is easy to apply in batches.
Smart Images
Figure CN121887600A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of vector signal sources, and specifically to a method for developing a miniature vector signal generator. Background Technology
[0002] Vector signals generally refer to complex signals with real and imaginary components. Vector modulation is often called complex modulation or IQ modulation. Existing vector signal equipment in the industry includes instruments such as vector signal generators and vector signal analyzers.
[0003] Existing vector signal generators often have IQ modulation capabilities and are transmitters that generate conventional modulated signals or digital communication signals. Common types include: generating basic modulated signals such as ASK, FSK, and PSK; and generating communication standard signals such as GSM, TD-SCDMA, and LTE.
[0004] Existing vector signal analyzers are receivers (in a broad sense) that can analyze and measure modulated signals or communication standard signals. Signal demodulation and modulation parameter measurement are typical applications. They analyze baseband signal characteristics and modulation quality through output results such as constellation diagrams, eye diagrams, error vector amplitude (EVM), amplitude error, phase error, and frequency error.
[0005] Existing mainstream vector signal equipment is often expensive. For some non-standard measurement and testing environments, such as field tests and simple functional verification, it is objectively difficult to equip high-value vector signal equipment. Therefore, in practical applications, low-cost and highly convenient vector signal solutions are needed. Summary of the Invention
[0006] This invention provides a method for developing a miniature vector signal generator. The main hardware of the miniature vector signal generator is a "pocket-sized" baseband radio frequency board, which generates basic modulation signals or digital communication signals based on software radio (SDR). The miniature and ultra-lightweight design makes it easier to adapt to "non-standard application environments" such as the field. At the same time, the low-cost hardware combined with virtual machine technology makes the miniature vector signal generator easier to mass-produce.
[0007] The technical solution of this invention is as follows: The mini vector signal generator mainly consists of a baseband RF board, an SDR virtual machine, and a PC (personal computer). The overall design concept is: the software completes signal encoding, modulation, and other processing, and further controls the baseband RF board to transmit target modulated signals or digital communication signals. The signal types covered include FM, BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, 16QAM, DVB-S, etc., and the signal types are expanded by adding script files and frequency expansion is achieved through external frequency conversion devices. The baseband RF board integrates the baseband and RF parts in its hardware architecture. The high integration design ensures that the size meets the ultra-portability requirements of being able to fit in a pocket. It has independent transmit and receive channels, an intermediate frequency bandwidth of ≥20MHz, and supports self-transmit and self-receive operation in full-duplex mode for real-time monitoring of the output signal. The baseband RF board supports software radio applications through software toolkits, including GNU Radio, MATLAB, and Simulink. There are two options for implementing the baseband RF board: C1 is to use a mature SRP (Software Radio Peripheral) device; C2 is to conduct customized development based on requirements, involving chip selection and board-level design; design and development of Linux Industrial I / O (IIO) driver architecture, interface options, development packages, libraries, etc.; the SDR virtual machine is a software platform that supports software radio applications and enables batch application through copying file sets, including components such as a standard virtual machine and vector signal machine software. The standard virtual machine refers to a widely used mainstream virtual machine in the industry, which is migrated through copying or cloning, and supports host OS (main operating system, PC operating system) such as Windows and Linux, and guest OS (sub-operating system, the operating system of the standard virtual machine) such as Windows and Linux; the vector signal machine software can be layered into a physical layer part (vector signal machine software-P) and an application layer part (vector signal machine software-A). The vector signal generator software-P is the base layer of the vector signal generator software and a software toolkit for building software-defined radio applications. It is installed and runs on the Guest OS, performing baseband signal encoding, modulation, and other processing, and directly driving the baseband RF board to transmit target modulated signals or digital communication signals. The vector signal generator software-A is the top layer of the vector signal generator software and the display and control interface. It indirectly controls the baseband RF board by inputting parameters through the interface and internally calling the vector signal generator software-P.The vector signal generator software-A supports cross-operating system operation, meaning that the baseband RF board can be controlled to output target signals through its display and control interface in both Guest OS and Host OS. For example, the main parameters of the output signal can be configured through its display and control interface, including frequency, power, signal type, etc.
[0008] The development process of the miniature vector signal generator was divided into two stages: the engineering prototype stage and the mass application stage. The process involved included: S1: Engineering Prototype - Configure the baseband RF board. Install necessary drivers and perform firmware updates on the baseband RF board to support software-defined radio applications via software toolkits; S2: Engineering Prototype - Install the standard virtual machine. Install the standard virtual machine program on a general-purpose PC; S3: Engineering Prototype - Integrating the Vector Signal Machine Software-P. After completing steps S1 and S2, enter the Guest OS, configure the Vector Signal Machine Software-P and its dependent packages and development packages, and further drive the baseband RF board to transmit target modulation signals or digital communication signals, that is, integrate the Vector Signal Machine Software-P into the standard virtual machine; S4: Engineering Prototype - Install the Vector Signal Controller Software-A. Run the installation file of the Vector Signal Controller Software-A in the Guest OS. After successful installation, configure the main parameters of the baseband RF board through its display and control interface, and further call the Vector Signal Controller Software-P to drive the baseband RF board to output the target modulation signal or digital communication signal, thus completing the installation of the Vector Signal Controller Software-A. S5: Engineering Prototype - Generate the SDR virtual machine, completing steps S1, S2, S3, and S4, thus completing the generation of the SDR virtual machine. The SDR virtual machine is a collection of all files in the standard virtual machine installation directory, including both the original installation files of the standard virtual machine and the files generated and updated after the vector signal machine software is successfully configured; S6: Batch Application - "Copying" the mini vector signal generator mainly refers to achieving batch application of the mini vector signal generator by "equivalently copying" the hardware and software configurations of steps S1-S5. The specific steps are as follows: Repeat the operation in step S1; install the standard virtual machine program on the user's PC (with a configuration equivalent to the general-purpose PC in step S2) and completely copy the file set of the SDR virtual machine, i.e., generate SDR virtual machine-N. SDR virtual machine-N is a "clone" of the SDR virtual machine on the user's PC (numbered N, where N is a natural number ≥ 1); run SDR virtual machine-N and the vector signal generator software-A to control the baseband RF board to output the target modulation signal or digital communication signal, thus realizing the application of the vector signal generator at the user's location. Attached Figure Description
[0009] Figure 1 This is a development roadmap for the miniature vector signal generator.
[0010] Figure 2 This is a hardware architecture diagram of the baseband radio frequency board in the embodiment.
[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-operating system operation of the vector signal generator software-A.
[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are provided to further illustrate the invention and constitute a part of this invention, are not intended to limit the invention. Detailed Implementation
[0013] The examples given below are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[0014] The following is in conjunction with Figure 1. Figure 2 , Figure 3 Further description with specific embodiments.
[0015] Figure 1 The roadmap shown in this invention outlines the main components of the miniature vector signal generator development method. The key to developing the miniature vector signal generator lies in the baseband RF board's "pocket-sized" design and support for software-defined radio applications. The vector signal generator software-P is a toolkit for building software-defined radio applications; it enables signal encoding, modulation, and other processing, further driving the baseband RF board to transmit target modulated signals or digital communication signals. The standard virtual machine is the direct carrier system of the vector signal generator software-P. Based on the standard virtual machine as an "intermediary," the miniature vector signal generator can be mass-produced using simple copying operations.
[0016] In this embodiment, the baseband RF board adopts C1 selection, that is, it uses mature SRP equipment, and its hardware architecture is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, it has a "one-handed" form factor and independent transceiver channels. It supports software toolkits such as MATLAB, Simulink, and GNU Radio. The baseband processing is handled by a programmable SoC, and the radio frequency processing is handled by a transceiver chip. The operating frequency is 70-6000 MHz, the instantaneous bandwidth is 20MHz, and it is powered and communicated via a USB interface. It supports the Linux operating system.
[0017] In this embodiment, the Host OS (the operating system of the PC) of the standard virtual machine is a Windows operating system, and the Guest OS (the operating system of the standard virtual machine) is a Linux operating system. The configuration of the baseband RF board (S1 step), the integration of the vector signal machine software-P (S3 step), and the installation of the vector signal machine software-A are completed within the Guest OS.
[0018] In this embodiment, the cross-operating system control of the vector signal generator software-A is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, within the Windows operating system (Host OS), the vector signal generator software-A can call the vector signal generator software-P within the Linux operating system (Guest OS) to drive the baseband radio frequency board to transmit target modulation signals or digital communication signals.
[0019] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A method for developing a miniature vector signal generator, wherein the main hardware of the miniature vector signal generator is a "pocket-sized" baseband radio frequency board, which generates basic modulation signals or digital communication signals based on software radio (SDR). The miniature and ultra-lightweight design can more easily adapt to "non-standard application environments" such as the field. At the same time, the low-cost hardware combined with virtual machine technology makes the miniature vector signal generator easier to mass-produce. A method for developing a miniature vector signal generator, characterized in that, The miniature vector signal generator mainly consists of a baseband RF board, an SDR virtual machine, and a PC (personal computer). The overall design concept is as follows: software handles signal encoding and modulation, further controlling the baseband RF board to transmit target modulated signals or digital communication signals. The signal types covered include FM, BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, 16QAM, and DVB-S. Signal types can be expanded by adding script files, and frequency expansion can be achieved through external frequency converters. The baseband RF board integrates the baseband and RF components in its hardware architecture. Its high integration design ensures ultra-portability, fitting easily into a pocket. It has independent transmit and receive channels, an intermediate frequency bandwidth of ≥20MHz, and supports full-duplex operation for real-time monitoring of the output signal. The baseband RF board supports software-defined radio applications through software toolkits, including GNU Radio, MATLAB, and Simulink. There are two options for implementing the baseband radio frequency board: C1 is to use a mature SRP (Software Radio Peripheral) device. C2 is a customized development based on specific requirements, involving: chip selection and board-level design; design and development of Linux Industrial I / O (IIO) driver architecture, interface options, development packages, libraries, etc.; the SDR virtual machine is a software platform supporting software-defined radio applications and enables batch application through fileset copying, including components such as a standard virtual machine and vector signal machine software. The standard virtual machine refers to a widely used mainstream virtual machine in the industry, which is migrated through copying or cloning, supporting Host OS (main operating system, PC operating system) such as Windows and Linux, and Guest OS (sub-operating system, the operating system of the standard virtual machine) such as Windows and Linux; the vector signal machine software can be layered into a physical layer part (vector signal machine software-P) and an application layer part (vector signal machine software-A). The vector signal machine software-P is the base layer of the vector signal machine software and the software toolkit for building software-defined radio applications. It is installed and runs on the Guest OS, completing baseband signal encoding, modulation, and other processing, and directly driving the baseband RF board to transmit target modulated signals or digital communication signals. The vector signal generator software-A is the top-level part and display / control interface of the vector signal generator software. It indirectly controls the baseband RF board by inputting parameters through the interface and internally calling the vector signal generator software-P. The vector signal generator software-A supports cross-operating system operation; that is, the baseband RF board can be controlled to output target signals through its display / control interface in both the Guest OS and Host OS. For example, the main parameters of the output signal, including frequency, power, and signal type, can be configured through its display / control interface. The development process of the miniature vector signal generator is divided into two stages: the engineering prototype stage and the mass application stage. The process steps involved include: S1: Engineering Prototype - Configure the baseband RF board. Install necessary drivers and perform firmware updates on the baseband RF board to support software-defined radio applications via software toolkits; S2: Engineering Prototype - Install the standard virtual machine. Install the standard virtual machine program on a general-purpose PC; S3: Engineering Prototype - Integrating the Vector Signal Machine Software-P. After completing steps S1 and S2, enter the Guest OS, configure the Vector Signal Machine Software-P and its dependent packages and development packages, and further drive the baseband RF board to transmit target modulation signals or digital communication signals, that is, integrate the Vector Signal Machine Software-P into the standard virtual machine; S4: Engineering Prototype - Install the Vector Signal Controller Software-A. Run the installation file of the Vector Signal Controller Software-A in the Guest OS. After successful installation, configure the main parameters of the baseband RF board through its display and control interface, and further call the Vector Signal Controller Software-P to drive the baseband RF board to output the target modulation signal or digital communication signal, thus completing the installation of the Vector Signal Controller Software-A. S5: Engineering Prototype - Generate the SDR virtual machine, completing steps S1, S2, S3, and S4, thus completing the generation of the SDR virtual machine. The SDR virtual machine is a collection of all files in the standard virtual machine installation directory, including both the original installation files of the standard virtual machine and the files generated and updated after the vector signal machine software is successfully configured; S6: Batch Application - "Copying" the mini vector signal generator mainly refers to achieving batch application of the mini vector signal generator by "equivalently copying" the hardware and software configurations of steps S1-S5. The specific steps are as follows: Repeat the operation in step S1; install the standard virtual machine program on the user's PC (with a configuration equivalent to the general-purpose PC in step S2) and completely copy the file set of the SDR virtual machine, i.e., generate SDR virtual machine-N. SDR virtual machine-N is a "clone" of the SDR virtual machine on the user's PC (numbered N, where N is a natural number ≥ 1); run SDR virtual machine-N and the vector signal generator software-A to control the baseband RF board to output the target modulation signal or digital communication signal, thus realizing the application of the vector signal generator at the user's location.