A method for controlling the output power of a radio frequency signal source

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of radio frequency signal source output power control method, the method includes: the output power range of standard radio frequency signal source and the numerical control attenuation range of numerical control attenuator are divided to obtain multiple control regions, the boundary point of each control region corresponds an output power, a frequency and a numerical control attenuation quantity;Each control region is constructed standard corresponding relationship based on the numerical control attenuation quantity corresponding to the voltage control attenuator;Based on the standard corresponding relationship, target frequency and target power, control the radio frequency signal source to be controlled, can accurately control the power required by radio frequency signal source output, avoid the larger error of output power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of microwave radio frequency technology, and specifically relates to a method for controlling the output power of a radio frequency signal source. Background Technology

[0002] As a key device in communication testing, electronic measurement, and RF system debugging, the accuracy and stability of the output power of the RF signal source directly affect the test results and performance evaluation of the system under test. Therefore, during the production, maintenance, and use of the RF signal source, it is usually necessary to calibrate the output power of the RF signal source to ensure that the output power meets the required accuracy requirements.

[0003] In existing technologies, attenuators are typically used to control the power regulation of radio frequency signal sources. Attenuators can be divided into digitally controlled attenuators (CNCs) and voltage-controlled attenuators (VCOs). CNCs generally have a large attenuation range, enabling adjustment of the signal source's output power over a wide dynamic range. However, their step resolution is limited, making it difficult to achieve high-precision, fine-grained power control across the entire range. VCOs are usually controlled by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and have high adjustment resolution, but their adjustable power range is relatively small, making it difficult to independently cover the full power output range of the signal source. In practical applications, to achieve a large dynamic range power output from the signal source, it is usually necessary to combine CNCs and VCOs. However, existing technologies often use fixed attenuation parameters or simple linear relationships to control the attenuators, failing to fully consider the nonlinear characteristics of the attenuator in different operating ranges. This results in large output power errors at low power output or fine power adjustment, making it difficult to meet high-precision output requirements.

[0004] Therefore, how to accurately control the power output of an RF signal source is a technical problem that needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the technical problem of large errors in the control of radio frequency signal power output in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, on the one hand, the present invention provides a method for controlling the output power of an radio frequency signal source, wherein the radio frequency signal source is controlled by a combination of a digitally controlled attenuator and a voltage-controlled attenuator, and the method includes:

[0007] The output power range of the standard radio frequency signal source and the digital attenuation range of the digitally controlled attenuator are divided into multiple control regions. The boundary point of each control region corresponds to an output power, a frequency and a digitally controlled attenuation.

[0008] A standard correspondence is established for each control region based on the voltage-controlled attenuation amount corresponding to the voltage-controlled attenuator.

[0009] The radio frequency signal source to be controlled is controlled based on the aforementioned standard correspondence, target frequency, and target power.

[0010] Furthermore, the step of constructing a standard correspondence for each control region based on the voltage-controlled attenuation amount corresponding to the voltage-controlled attenuator specifically includes:

[0011] The corresponding voltage control attenuation range is obtained based on the control region.

[0012] Multiple standard points are uniformly selected in the control area, and the output power and voltage control attenuation corresponding to each standard point are obtained;

[0013] The standard correspondence is fitted based on the output power and voltage control attenuation corresponding to each standard point.

[0014] Furthermore, the standard correspondence includes a first functional relationship and a second functional relationship, wherein the second functional relationship is the inverse of the first functional relationship. The first functional relationship and the second functional relationship are specifically shown in the following formulas:

[0015] ;

[0016] ;

[0017] In the formula, Let A, B, C, and D be the coefficients in the first functional relationship, representing the output power. , , and is the coefficient in the second functional relationship, and DAC is the voltage-controlled attenuation.

[0018] Furthermore, the control of the radio frequency signal source based on the standard correspondence, target frequency, and target power specifically includes:

[0019] The corresponding control region is determined based on the target frequency and target power;

[0020] Determine the current standard correspondence based on the corresponding control region;

[0021] The target power and target frequency are input into the current standard correspondence to obtain the target voltage-controlled attenuation;

[0022] The output power of the radio frequency signal source is controlled based on the numerically controlled attenuation and the target voltage-controlled attenuation corresponding to the corresponding control region.

[0023] Furthermore, after controlling the output power of the radio frequency signal source based on the numerically controlled attenuation and the target voltage-controlled attenuation corresponding to the corresponding control region, the method further includes:

[0024] Obtain the actual output power of the radio frequency signal source, and determine the power difference between the actual output power and the target power;

[0025] Subtract the power difference from the value obtained by substituting the voltage-controlled attenuation corresponding to the target power into the first functional relationship to obtain a variable value, and input the variable value as the power value into the second functional relationship to obtain the adjusted voltage-controlled attenuation amount;

[0026] The voltage-controlled attenuator is readjusted based on the adjusted voltage-controlled attenuation amount so that the actual output power of the RF signal source is equal to the target power.

[0027] Furthermore, the method also includes combining the standard correspondence and its corresponding frequency boundary and power boundary into a single record and storing it in the database.

[0028] Furthermore, the standard correspondence is specifically obtained by fitting using the least squares method.

[0029] This invention provides a method for controlling the output power of a radio frequency (RF) signal source. Compared with existing technologies, this method includes: dividing the output power range of a standard RF signal source and the digitally controlled attenuation range of a digitally controlled attenuator to obtain multiple control regions, where each control region's boundary point corresponds to an output power, a frequency, and a digitally controlled attenuation; constructing a standard correspondence for each control region based on the voltage-controlled attenuation corresponding to the voltage-controlled attenuator; and controlling the RF signal source to be controlled based on the standard correspondence, target frequency, and target power, thereby accurately controlling the required output power of the RF signal source and avoiding large errors in output power. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or prior art of this specification, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this specification. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a flowchart illustrating the radio frequency signal source output power control method provided in the embodiments of this specification. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in this specification, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0033] The radio frequency signal source output power control method provided in the embodiments of this specification is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the radio frequency link of the radio frequency signal source contains two or more attenuators controlled by independent digital signals. The method specifically includes the following steps:

[0034] Step S101: Divide the output power range of the standard radio frequency signal source and the digital attenuation range of the digitally controlled attenuator to obtain multiple control regions. The boundary point of each control region corresponds to an output power, a frequency and a digitally controlled attenuation.

[0035] Specifically, for a standard RF signal source, a linear curve of digitally controlled attenuation versus output power is obtained. The attenuation of the digitally controlled attenuator is approximately 5, 10, or 15 dB, corresponding to control codes of 5, 10, and 15. The voltage-controlled attenuator has a digital control code range of 0-65535, close to 10 dB. The output power is controlled simultaneously by both the digitally controlled attenuator and the voltage-controlled attenuator. The digitally controlled attenuator achieves wide-range power control, while the voltage-controlled attenuator achieves precise control within a narrow range.

[0036] In specific application scenarios, the signal source RF link mainly includes: a baseband module 100, a first-stage digitally controlled attenuator (as a coarse adjustment unit) 200, a first-stage digitally controlled attenuator (as a coarse adjustment unit) 300, a second-stage voltage-controlled attenuator (as a fine adjustment unit) 400, a power amplifier 500, an output coupler 600, and an ALC detection and sampling module 700. All adjustable attenuation units and the ALC loop are controlled by a power control link 800, which includes a memory and a drive circuit. The memory stores a calibration database established according to this scheme, and the PC900 runs an auxiliary host computer to perform overall logic control.

[0037] To ensure a stable signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining design parameters, power strobe testing is primarily performed using the first-stage digitally controlled attenuator. At a frequency of 1 GHz, the first-stage digitally controlled attenuator 200 (e.g., a 6-bit controlled digital attenuator) is scanned. The measured attenuation shows a good linear relationship between D_fine=10 and D_fine=50, and this range is used as the control region. The dynamic range of the second-stage attenuator 300 is determined using the same method.

[0038] Alternatively, the control region can be divided according to the smoothing stage of the linear curve of the numerical control attenuation and output power. For example, the interval of smoothness less than a specified value in the linear curve can be used as a control region, or multiple control regions can be obtained by uniformly dividing the curve.

[0039] Step S102: Based on the voltage-controlled attenuation amount corresponding to the voltage-controlled attenuator, construct a standard correspondence relationship for each control region.

[0040] In this embodiment of the application, the step of constructing a standard correspondence for each control region based on the voltage-controlled attenuation amount corresponding to the voltage-controlled attenuator specifically includes:

[0041] The corresponding voltage control attenuation range is obtained based on the control region.

[0042] Multiple standard points are uniformly selected in the control area, and the output power and voltage control attenuation corresponding to each standard point are obtained;

[0043] The standard correspondence is fitted based on the output power and voltage control attenuation corresponding to each standard point.

[0044] Specifically, for example, at multiple standard points selected in the 1GHz band (+20dBm, +10dBm, 0dBm, -10dBm, -20dBm), the ALC loop is adjusted to stabilize at each point, and the voltage-controlled attenuation (DAC) and final output power (P) of the voltage-controlled attenuator 400 are recorded.

[0045] In this embodiment of the application, the standard correspondence relationship includes a first functional relationship and a second functional relationship, wherein the second functional relationship is the inverse functional relationship of the first functional relationship, and the first functional relationship and the second functional relationship are specifically shown in the following formulas:

[0046] ;

[0047] ;

[0048] In the formula, Let A, B, C, and D be the coefficients in the first functional relationship, representing the output power. , , and is the coefficient in the second functional relationship, and DAC is the voltage-controlled attenuation.

[0049] The standard correspondence is specifically obtained by fitting using the least squares method. After determining the standard correspondence for each control region, the method further includes combining the standard correspondence and its corresponding frequency boundary and power boundary into a single record and storing it in the database.

[0050] Specifically, using the (DAC,P) data pair, a third-order polynomial is obtained by fitting the data using the least squares method, which serves as the positive function model for this region: Inverse this relationship (or similarly, independently fit the data pairs (DAC, P)) to obtain the inverse function model: The coefficients A,B,C,D and A',B',C',D' of these two models, along with the frequency boundary (0.75GHz-1.25GHz), power boundary, and dynamic range boundary of the two attenuators in this region, are stored as a data record in the calibration database.

[0051] The coefficients in the first functional relationship are directly generated when fitting the (DAC,P) data pair using the least squares method, while the coefficients in the second functional relationship are directly generated by inverting the first functional relationship, without involving any additional calculation formulas or determination processes.

[0052] Step S103: Control the radio frequency signal source to be controlled based on the standard correspondence, target frequency and target power.

[0053] In this embodiment of the application, the control of the radio frequency signal source based on the standard correspondence, target frequency, and target power specifically includes:

[0054] The corresponding control region is determined based on the target frequency and target power;

[0055] Determine the current standard correspondence based on the corresponding control region;

[0056] The target power and target frequency are input into the current standard correspondence to obtain the target voltage-controlled attenuation;

[0057] The output power of the radio frequency signal source is controlled based on the numerically controlled attenuation and the target voltage-controlled attenuation corresponding to the corresponding control region.

[0058] Specifically, when the user sets the target frequency F_target and target power P_target, the calibration database is first queried based on F_target and P_target to determine the control region to which the current operation belongs and the corresponding digitally controlled attenuation. Alternatively, the corresponding control region can be determined directly based on the target power or the target frequency. Then, the current standard correspondence to be used is determined based on the control region, and P_target is input into the current standard correspondence to obtain the target voltage-controlled attenuation. Finally, the digitally controlled attenuator and the voltage-controlled attenuator are controlled based on the corresponding digitally controlled attenuation and the target voltage-controlled attenuation. More specifically, in actual working scenarios, determining the control region will result in two digitally controlled attenuation values, which are the two boundaries of the control region. The digitally controlled attenuation value with the lower value is used to adjust the first-stage digitally controlled attenuator 200, and the digitally controlled attenuation value with the higher value is used to adjust the first-stage digitally controlled attenuator 300.

[0059] In this embodiment of the application, the method further includes:

[0060] Obtain the actual output power of the radio frequency signal source, and determine the power difference between the actual output power and the target power;

[0061] Subtract the power difference from the value obtained by substituting the voltage-controlled attenuation corresponding to the target power into the first functional relationship to obtain a variable value, and input the variable value as the power value into the second functional relationship to obtain the adjusted voltage-controlled attenuation amount;

[0062] The voltage-controlled attenuator is readjusted based on the adjusted voltage-controlled attenuation amount so that the actual output power of the RF signal source is equal to the target power.

[0063] Specifically, in practical applications, the final output power may not be accurate and may deviate from the target power. To correct this deviation, the current actual output power is collected, and then the power difference between the actual output power and the target power is obtained. Then, the voltage-controlled attenuation amount corresponding to the target power, i.e., the target voltage-controlled attenuation amount, is substituted into the first function relationship to obtain a value. Then, the power difference is subtracted from this value to obtain a variable value. This variable value is then used as the power value and input into the second function relationship to obtain a voltage-controlled attenuation amount, i.e., the adjusted voltage-controlled attenuation amount. The voltage-controlled attenuator is then adjusted according to the adjusted voltage-controlled attenuation amount to correct the deviation and make the actual output power of the RF signal source equal to the target power.

[0064] Based on the above-described method for controlling the output power of a radio frequency signal source, one or more embodiments of this specification also provide a platform or terminal for controlling the output power of a radio frequency signal source. This platform or terminal may include devices, software, modules, plug-ins, servers, clients, etc., using the methods described in the embodiments of this specification, combined with necessary hardware implementation devices. Based on the same innovative concept, the systems in one or more embodiments provided in this specification are as described in the following embodiments. Since the implementation schemes and methods for solving the system problem are similar, the specific system implementation in the embodiments of this specification can refer to the implementation of the aforementioned methods. Repeated descriptions will not be repeated. The terms "unit" or "module" used below can refer to a combination of software and / or hardware that achieves a predetermined function. Although the systems described in the following embodiments are preferably implemented in software, hardware implementation, or a combination of software and hardware, is also possible and contemplated.

[0065] This application also provides an electronic device, including:

[0066] processor;

[0067] Memory used to store the processor's executable instructions;

[0068] The processor is configured to perform the methods provided in the embodiments described above.

[0069] The electronic device provided in this application stores executable instructions of the processor in a memory. When the processor executes the executable instructions, it can divide the output power range of the standard radio frequency signal source and the digitally controlled attenuation range of the digitally controlled attenuator into multiple control regions. The boundary point of each control region corresponds to an output power, a frequency, and a digitally controlled attenuation. A standard correspondence is constructed for each control region based on the voltage-controlled attenuation corresponding to the voltage-controlled attenuator. Based on the standard correspondence, target frequency, and target power, the radio frequency signal source to be controlled is controlled, which can accurately control the output power of the radio frequency signal source and avoid large errors in the output power.

[0070] The foregoing has described specific embodiments of this specification. Other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. In some cases, the actions or steps recited in the claims may be performed in a different order than that shown in the embodiments and may still achieve the desired result. Furthermore, the processes depicted in the drawings do not necessarily require the specific or sequential order shown to achieve the desired result. In some embodiments, multitasking and parallel processing are possible or may be advantageous.

[0071] The methods or apparatus described in the embodiments provided in this specification can implement business logic through a computer program and record it on a storage medium. The storage medium can be read and executed by a computer to achieve the effects of the solutions described in the embodiments of this specification, such as:

[0072] The output power range of the standard radio frequency signal source and the digital attenuation range of the digitally controlled attenuator are divided into multiple control regions. The boundary point of each control region corresponds to an output power, a frequency and a digitally controlled attenuation.

[0073] A standard correspondence is established for each control region based on the voltage-controlled attenuation amount corresponding to the voltage-controlled attenuator.

[0074] The radio frequency signal source to be controlled is controlled based on the aforementioned standard correspondence, target frequency, and target power.

[0075] The storage medium can include physical devices for storing information, typically digitizing the information and then storing it using electrical, magnetic, or optical methods. The storage medium can include: devices that store information using electrical energy, such as various types of memory, like RAM and ROM; devices that store information using magnetic energy, such as hard disks, floppy disks, magnetic tapes, magnetic core memory, bubble memory, and USB flash drives; and devices that store information using optical methods, such as CDs or DVDs. Of course, there are other readable storage media, such as quantum memories and graphene memories.

[0076] The embodiments in this specification are not limited to conforming to industry communication standards, standard computer resource data update and data storage rules, or the situations described in one or more embodiments of this specification. Slightly modified implementations based on certain industry standards or custom methods or embodiments can also achieve the same, equivalent, or similar, or predictable, implementation effects as described above. Embodiments that utilize these modified or modified methods for data acquisition, storage, judgment, and processing still fall within the scope of optional implementations of the embodiments in this specification.

[0077] The controller can be implemented in any suitable manner. For example, it can take the form of a microprocessor or processor and a computer-readable medium storing computer-readable program code (e.g., software or firmware) executable by the (micro)processor, logic gates, switches, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic controllers, and embedded microcontrollers. Examples of controllers include, but are not limited to, the following microcontrollers: ARC 625D, Atmel AT91SAM, Microchip PIC18F26K20, and Silicon Labs C8051F320. A memory controller can also be implemented as part of the control logic of the memory. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that, in addition to implementing the controller in purely computer-readable program code form, the same functionality can be achieved by logically programming the method steps to make the controller take the form of logic gates, switches, ASICs, programmable logic controllers, and embedded microcontrollers. Therefore, such a controller can be considered a hardware component, and the means included therein for implementing various functions can also be considered as structures within the hardware component. Alternatively, the means for implementing various functions can be considered as both software modules implementing the method and structures within the hardware component.

[0078] The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or plug-ins may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0079] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable resource data updating device, causing a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable device for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0080] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to mutually. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments. In particular, system embodiments are basically similar to method embodiments, so the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions in the method embodiments. In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this specification. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0081] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments described herein are intended to help the reader understand the principles of the invention, and should be understood that the scope of protection of the invention is not limited to such specific statements and embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various other specific modifications and combinations based on the technical teachings disclosed in this invention without departing from the spirit of the invention, and these modifications and combinations are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the output power of a radio frequency signal source, characterized in that, The radio frequency signal source is controlled by a combination of a digitally controlled attenuator and a voltage-controlled attenuator, and the method includes: The output power range of the standard radio frequency signal source and the digital attenuation range of the digitally controlled attenuator are divided into multiple control regions. The boundary point of each control region corresponds to an output power, a frequency and a digitally controlled attenuation. A standard correspondence is established for each control region based on the voltage-controlled attenuation amount corresponding to the voltage-controlled attenuator. The radio frequency signal source to be controlled is controlled based on the aforementioned standard correspondence, target frequency, and target power. Specifically, the step of establishing a standard correspondence for each control region based on the voltage-controlled attenuation amount corresponding to the voltage-controlled attenuator includes: The corresponding voltage control attenuation range is obtained based on the control region. Multiple standard points are uniformly selected in the control area, and the output power and voltage control attenuation corresponding to each standard point are obtained; A standard correspondence is fitted based on the output power and voltage control attenuation corresponding to each of the aforementioned standard points; The standard correspondence relationship includes a first functional relationship and a second functional relationship, wherein the second functional relationship is the inverse of the first functional relationship. The first functional relationship and the second functional relationship are specifically shown in the following formulas: ； ； In the formula, P Let A, B, C, and D be the coefficients in the first functional relationship, representing the output power. , , and is the coefficient in the second functional relationship, and DAC is the voltage-controlled attenuation.

2. The radio frequency signal source output power control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The control of the radio frequency signal source based on the standard correspondence, target frequency, and target power specifically includes: The corresponding control region is determined based on the target frequency and target power; Determine the current standard correspondence based on the corresponding control region; The target power and target frequency are input into the current standard correspondence to obtain the target voltage-controlled attenuation; The output power of the radio frequency signal source is controlled based on the numerically controlled attenuation and the target voltage-controlled attenuation corresponding to the corresponding control region.

3. The radio frequency signal source output power control method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, After controlling the output power of the radio frequency signal source based on the numerically controlled attenuation and the target voltage-controlled attenuation corresponding to the corresponding control region, the method further includes: Obtain the actual output power of the radio frequency signal source, and determine the power difference between the actual output power and the target power; Subtract the power difference from the value obtained by substituting the voltage-controlled attenuation corresponding to the target power into the first functional relationship to obtain a variable value, and input the variable value as the power value into the second functional relationship to obtain the adjusted voltage-controlled attenuation amount; The voltage-controlled attenuator is readjusted based on the adjusted voltage-controlled attenuation amount so that the actual output power of the RF signal source is equal to the target power.

4. The radio frequency signal source output power control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes combining the standard correspondence and its corresponding frequency boundary and power boundary into a single record and storing it in the database.

5. The radio frequency signal source output power control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The standard correspondence is specifically obtained by fitting using the least squares method.

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