Millimeter wave high-power high-isolation low-noise transceiver device and method

Abstract

The application relates to the application field of millimeter wave high-frequency large power, and provides a millimeter wave large-power high-isolation low-noise transceiving device and method.The device comprises a millimeter wave transmitter, a waveguide switch, a matching load and a low-noise amplifier; the waveguide switch is a 4-port waveguide switch, the 1 port of the waveguide switch is connected with the matching load, the 2 port is connected with the millimeter wave transmitter, the 3 port is used for connecting an antenna, and the 4 port is connected with the low-noise amplifier; the waveguide switch is used for switching the switch state through different control signals in the transmitting mode and the receiving mode, so that the millimeter wave transmitter, the antenna, the matching load and the low-noise amplifier are in the connection mode corresponding to the transmitting mode and the receiving mode. The application has the advantages of high transceiving isolation, low noise coefficient, small feeder insertion loss, small heat generation, simple structure, high reliability and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of high-power applications in the millimeter-wave high-frequency band, and more specifically, to a high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver device and method for millimeter-wave applications. Background Technology

[0002] In mission scenarios where antennas share transmit and receive capabilities, switching and isolation can be achieved using shared transmit / receive antenna technology to reduce size and weight. Currently, there are several main methods for achieving shared transmit / receive capabilities: the article "Research on Transmit / Receive Isolation in Shared Transmit / Receive Antenna Feed Systems" mentions two methods, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, Figure 1 When RF switches 1 and 2 are turned on, the transmitting link is connected to the antenna; when switches 1 and 3 are turned on, the receiving link is connected to the antenna. Figure 2 Utilizing the directivity of the circulator, when transmit power is input from port 1, port 2 transmits the transmit power to the antenna according to the directivity. When the antenna receives a signal from port 2, port 3 transmits the received signal to the receiver according to the directivity. Furthermore, patent [201911288158.2] proposes a method using a coupler, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the transmit power is directly connected to the antenna from port 1 to port 2, and the received signal from the antenna is coupled from port 2 to port 3 and transmitted to the receiver.

[0003] The above three methods all utilize three-port devices such as switches, circulators, and couplers to achieve shared transmit and receive branches. In practical transceiver applications, to improve the isolation of the transmit and receive branches and protect the receive branch from overpower damage, it is usually necessary to connect other devices, such as... Figure 4a , Figure 4b As shown. The receiving branch is connected in series with a limiter (such as...). Figure 4a To limit the high-power transmission leakage from port 1 to port 3, or to connect a switch in series (such as...). Figure 4b During transmission, the switch is connected to the matched load to protect the receiver.

[0004] In high-power millimeter-wave high-frequency applications, the above-mentioned transceiver device using 3-port devices has the following disadvantages: 1. High insertion loss, especially for microwave electronic switches, which also necessitates additional heat dissipation design and measures; 2. Low isolation, as the transceiver isolation depends on the high-power switches, circulators, and their manufacturing processes; 3. Complex structure, although it can be... Figure 4a , Figure 4b One approach is to connect a limiter or switch in series in the receiving branch to improve isolation and provide protection. However, the connected devices will increase the noise figure of the receiving link, and the corresponding matching devices or circuits will further increase the complexity. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver device and method to overcome the limitations of the existing transceiver sharing technology, which is subject to the constraints of its corresponding solutions.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver, including a millimeter-wave transmitter, a waveguide switch, a matching load, and a low-noise amplifier; The waveguide switch is a 4-port waveguide switch. Port 1 of the waveguide switch is connected to the matching load, port 2 is connected to the millimeter-wave transmitter, port 3 is used to connect to the antenna, and port 4 is connected to the low-noise amplifier. The waveguide switch is used to switch the switching state in transmit and receive modes by different control signals, so that the millimeter-wave transmitter, antenna, matching load and low-noise amplifier are connected in the corresponding transmit and receive modes.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the waveguide switch is an R-type 4-port waveguide switch.

[0008] Secondly, the present invention provides a millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver method, implemented based on the aforementioned millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver device, the transceiver method comprising: In transmit mode, the waveguide switch switches to state 3 via control signal OC3. At this time, the millimeter-wave transmitter is connected to the antenna through one channel of the waveguide switch. The millimeter-wave transmitter turns on amplification when the transmit and receive modulation pulses are high, so as to realize high-power transmission of the transmitted signal. The low-noise amplifier is connected to the matching load through the other channel of the waveguide switch. In receive mode, the waveguide switch switches to state 1 via control signal OC1. At this time, the millimeter-wave transmitter is connected to the matched load through one channel of the waveguide switch, the transmit and receive modulation pulses of the millimeter-wave transmitter switch to a low level, the millimeter-wave transmitter stops amplifying, and the other channel connects the low-noise amplifier to the antenna.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the timing of the transmit / receive modulation pulses and waveguide switch control signals switching between the transmit mode and the receive module is as follows: At time t1, in preparation for entering the transmit mode, the control signal OC3 of the waveguide switch switches the waveguide switch to state 3. From time t2 to t3, a dead time Td is set between the falling edge of the waveguide switch after switching and the rising edge of the transmitted modulation pulse. During this dead time Td, the waveguide switch, the transmitted modulation pulse, and the received modulation pulse do not operate, and the link does not transmit or receive. This is used by the external host computer to detect the position telemetry status of the waveguide switch in state 3 to confirm that the waveguide switch has switched to state 3. At time t3, both the transmitted modulation pulse and the transmitted signal are at a high level, and the transmit link starts working; the millimeter-wave transmitter is connected to the antenna through ports 2 and 3 of the waveguide switch to achieve the transmission of a high-power signal; the other channel of the waveguide switch connects the receive link to the low-noise amplifier and the matched load through ports 1 and 4. Between t4 and t6, the receiver enters reception mode, shutting down the transmission modulation pulse and transmission signal. The waveguide switch switches to state 1 via control signal OC1, and after a dead time Td confirms the switch is in place, the receiving modulation pulse is high, and the receiving link starts working. The low-noise amplifier is connected to the antenna to receive signals through ports 3 and 4 of the waveguide switch. The other channel of the waveguide switch connects the transmission link to the millimeter-wave transmitter output and the matched load through ports 1 and 2.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the pulse widths of the control signals OC1 and OC3 are set between 0.6 seconds and 1 second.

[0011] Furthermore, the pulse widths of the control signals OC1 and OC3 are set to 0.8 seconds. Correspondingly, the dead time Td is set to 0.2 seconds, achieving a 1-second time to complete the switching between transmit and receive modes.

[0012] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: This invention provides a millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver device and method. Through a 4-port waveguide switch, it achieves simple and rapid shared transmission and reception switching. A single matched load ensures good matching of idle ports, eliminating transmitter mismatch and receiver self-oscillation risk. No additional limiters, matching switches, isolators, etc., are required, resulting in a simple structure, fewer components, and high reliability for the entire device.

[0013] In this invention, during transmission, the feeder insertion loss is small, the heat generation is small, the isolation between transmission and reception is high, the receiver does not require a series limiter or other protection, and during reception, the noise figure is low. The drain of the solid-state amplifier or the gate of the traveling wave tube in the millimeter-wave transmitter in the transmission link can be further shut down, and the receiver output is close to natural noise. The switching between transmission and reception states is completed quickly within 1 second.

[0014] In summary, the millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver device and method of the present invention have the advantages of high transmission and reception isolation, low noise figure, low feeder insertion loss, low heat generation, simple structure, and high reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram for implementing a shared transmit and receive mechanism for an RF switch.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a circulator enabling both transmitting and receiving.

[0017] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the principle of a coupler that enables both transmit and receive communication.

[0018] Figure 4a This is a schematic diagram of a three-port device used to protect the receiving link and improve isolation.

[0019] Figure 4b This is a schematic diagram illustrating another method for protecting the receiving link and improving isolation in three-port devices.

[0020] Figure 5a This is a schematic diagram of the principle of a 4-port waveguide switch for transmitting and receiving in an embodiment of the present invention (transmit mode).

[0021] Figure 5b This is a schematic diagram of the 4-port waveguide switch implementation for transmitting and receiving in an embodiment of the present invention (receiving mode).

[0022] Figure 6a This invention provides a millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver (transmit mode).

[0023] Figure 6b This invention provides a millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver (receive mode) for embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of four switching states of the R-type 4-port waveguide switch in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a timing diagram of the fast handover control for shared transmit and receive functions in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The design principle of this invention is as follows: Addressing the limitations of existing transceiver sharing technologies due to their corresponding solutions, this invention achieves high isolation and low noise transceiver sharing based on a 4-port waveguide switch, such as... Figure 5a , Figure 5b As shown, by utilizing the two required states of the four switching states of the 4-port waveguide switch, the time-division switching connection between the transmit / receive branch and the antenna shared branch is realized. The branch that is not in operation is directly connected to the matched load through the fourth port.

[0029] Based on the above design principles, such as Figure 6a , Figure 6b As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver, including a millimeter-wave transmitter, a waveguide switch, a matching load, and a low-noise amplifier.

[0030] In this embodiment of the invention, the waveguide switch is a 4-port waveguide switch, specifically an R-type 4-port waveguide switch, whose internal conduction state switching is as follows: Figure 7 As shown, the coil in the waveguide switch can be controlled by four external control signals OC1~OC4, switching the waveguide switch to states 1~4 respectively. Simultaneously, the telemetry information of the waveguide switch's state changes accordingly. In this embodiment, according to the layout shown, to achieve the switching connection of the transmit and receive links, waveguide switch state 3 is selected for the transmit mode, and waveguide switch state 1 is selected for the receive mode. States 2 and 4 do not require connection, and their corresponding control signals or ports are idle. The four ports of the waveguide switch are labeled as ports 1~4, where port 1 connects to the matching load, port 2 connects to the millimeter-wave transmitter, port 3 connects to the antenna, and port 4 connects to the low-noise amplifier. The waveguide switch is used to switch the switching state in transmit and receive modes through different control signals, ensuring that the millimeter-wave transmitter, antenna, matching load, and low-noise amplifier are connected in the corresponding transmit and receive modes.

[0031] Based on the aforementioned millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, and low-noise transceiver device, a millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, and low-noise transceiver method is implemented, comprising: like Figure 6a As shown, in transmit mode, the waveguide switch switches to state 3 via control signal OC3. At this time, the millimeter-wave transmitter is connected to the antenna through one channel of the waveguide switch. The millimeter-wave transmitter turns on amplification when the transmit and receive modulation pulse is high, realizing high-power transmission of the transmitted signal. The low-noise amplifier is connected to the matching load through the other channel of the waveguide switch.

[0032] like Figure 6bAs shown, in receive mode, the waveguide switch switches to state 1 via control signal OC1. At this time, the millimeter-wave transmitter is connected to the matched load through one channel of the waveguide switch, and the transmit and receive modulation pulses of the millimeter-wave transmitter switch to a low level. The millimeter-wave transmitter stops amplifying, which can further improve the isolation and noise figure of the receive link. The other channel connects the low-noise amplifier to the antenna, and the receive link starts to work, completing the antenna's transmit and receive sharing and switching.

[0033] The timing of the transmit / receive modulation pulses and waveguide switch control signals switching between the transmit mode and the receive module is shown below. Figure 8 .in: At time t1, preparing to enter transmit mode, the waveguide switch control signal OC3 switches the waveguide switch to state 3. The control signal OC3 is a low-level pulse control signal. The pulse width of this low-level pulse control signal needs to consider both the waveguide switch's drive pulse width and the waveguide switch's switching action time. A common recommended waveguide switch drive pulse width is between 0.6 and 1 second to achieve stable waveguide switch drive. The waveguide switch switching time generally consists of rotor switching after coil excitation and the switch bounce time after switching. Typically, the waveguide switch can complete the switching and report the telemetry status within 0.6 seconds. Therefore, after comprehensive consideration, setting the pulse width of the control signal OC3 to 0.8 seconds is preferred for stable drive and switching. After switching, the waveguide switch's telemetry position is simultaneously reported to state 3.

[0034] Between times t2 and t3, a dead time Td is set between the falling edge of the waveguide switch switching and the rising edge of the transmit modulation pulse. During this dead time Td, the waveguide switch, the transmit modulation pulse, and the receive modulation pulse are all inactive, and the link neither transmits nor receives. This dead time Td is used by the external host computer to detect the position telemetry status of the waveguide switch in state 3, to confirm that the waveguide switch has switched to state 3. The length of the dead time Td depends on the rate of the analog detection circuit commonly used at the sampling end. In the K-band 200W transceiver shared system of this invention, the dead time Td is set to 0.2 seconds, which, together with the 0.8-second pulse width of the control signal OC3 at time t1, constitutes a total of 1 second to complete the transmit mode switching. By setting this dead time Td for telemetry detection of the waveguide switch, it is possible to ensure that the waveguide switch switches to the required state, and to protect against failure scenarios such as incomplete switching and mis-transmitted commands, thereby achieving closed-loop switching control and improving the reliability of the transceiver switching system.

[0035] At time t3, both the transmitted modulation pulse and the transmitted signal Rf are high, and the transmit link begins operation. Millimeter-wave transmitters can operate using a traveling wave tube vacuum tube system controlled by a gate, or a solid-state amplifier system controlled by a gate or drain. Both can achieve rapid, high-power millimeter-wave transmission on / off using common gate or drain control circuits, requiring no additional control circuitry. The millimeter-wave transmitter connects to the antenna via ports 2 and 3 of a waveguide switch, enabling high-power transmission. When the waveguide switch is on, it approximates a segment of waveguide of equal length, thus the entire feed line insertion loss is approximately equal to the connection waveguide, resulting in very low insertion loss. Meanwhile, the other channel of the waveguide switch connects the receive link to a low-noise amplifier connected to a matched load via ports 1 and 4. The intrinsic isolation between the two channels of the waveguide switch can reach over 60dB, achieving high isolation between the transmit and receive links.

[0036] Between times t4 and t6, the system enters receive mode, shutting down the transmit modulation pulse and transmit signal. The waveguide switch switches to state 1 via control signal OC1 (pulse width consistent with control signal OC3), and after a dead time Td confirms the switch is in place, the receive modulation pulse is high, and the receive link begins operation. The low-noise amplifier is connected to the antenna through ports 3 and 4 of the waveguide switch. The insertion loss of this link is approximately the same as that of the waveguide connection, resulting in low insertion loss. The low-noise amplifier can achieve a low noise figure, leading to high-quality received signals. At this time, the other channel of the waveguide switch connects the transmit link to the millimeter-wave transmitter output via ports 1 and 2, connecting it to a matched load. Due to the high isolation between the two channels of the waveguide switch and the good matching of each port, the receive link does not require additional limiters, isolators, or switches for protection and isolation. Furthermore, the millimeter-wave transmitter's RF output can be shut down by cutting off the traveling wave tube gate or turning off the solid-state amplifier, further reducing the noise at the receive output to near-natural noise.

[0037] An application example: In the development of a certain project, the millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver device of this invention was adopted, wherein: Millimeter-wave transmitter: K-band 200W grid-controlled traveling wave tube amplifier; Waveguide switch: K-band 4-port waveguide switch; Low-noise amplifier: K-band low-noise amplifier.

[0038] It achieves the sharing and switching of 200W-level millimeter-wave high-power antenna transmission and reception, with a transmission-reception isolation greater than 60dB, and completes transmission-reception switching within 1 second, with the following significant advantages: 1. High transmit / receive isolation: High isolation between the transmit and receive channels is achieved by utilizing the intrinsic isolation between the waveguide switching channels. During reception, the amplifier operation of the transmit link can be turned off, which can further reduce the noise at the receiver output, making it close to natural noise. 2. Low feeder insertion loss and low heat dissipation pressure: This is beneficial for millimeter-wave transmission power output, while the heat dissipation is low and no additional heat dissipation measures are required; 3. Low noise figure: When the receiving link is working, no other small signal switches, limiters or other devices are needed in the link for protection and isolation, and the receiving link can achieve a low noise figure; 4. Simple structure and high reliability: It requires few components, does not need additional limiters, switches or isolators, has no risk of port mismatch, and has fast and reliable transmission and reception switching.

[0039] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the 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 millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver, characterized in that, Includes millimeter-wave transmitters, waveguide switches, matching loads, and low-noise amplifiers; The waveguide switch is a 4-port waveguide switch. Port 1 of the waveguide switch is connected to the matching load, port 2 is connected to the millimeter-wave transmitter, port 3 is used to connect to the antenna, and port 4 is connected to the low-noise amplifier. The waveguide switch is used to switch the switching state through different control signals in transmit and receive modes, so that the millimeter-wave transmitter, antenna, matching load and low-noise amplifier are connected in the corresponding transmit and receive modes.

2. The millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver according to claim 1 is characterized in that, The waveguide switch is an R-type 4-port waveguide switch.

3. A millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver method, implemented based on the millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sending and receiving methods include: In transmit mode, the waveguide switch switches to state 3 via control signal OC3. At this time, the millimeter-wave transmitter is connected to the antenna through one channel of the waveguide switch. The millimeter-wave transmitter turns on amplification when the transmit and receive modulation pulses are high, so as to realize high-power transmission of the transmitted signal. The low-noise amplifier is connected to the matching load through the other channel of the waveguide switch. In receive mode, the waveguide switch switches to state 1 via control signal OC1. At this time, the millimeter-wave transmitter is connected to the matched load through one channel of the waveguide switch, the transmit and receive modulation pulses of the millimeter-wave transmitter switch to a low level, the millimeter-wave transmitter stops amplifying, and the other channel connects the low-noise amplifier to the antenna.

4. The millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The timing sequence of the transmit / receive modulation pulses and waveguide switch control signals for switching between the transmit mode and the receive module is as follows: At time t1, in preparation for entering the transmit mode, the control signal OC3 of the waveguide switch switches the waveguide switch to state 3. From time t2 to t3, a dead time Td is set between the falling edge of the waveguide switch after switching and the rising edge of the transmitted modulation pulse. During this dead time Td, the waveguide switch, the transmitted modulation pulse, and the received modulation pulse do not operate, and the link does not transmit or receive. This is used by the external host computer to detect the position telemetry status of the waveguide switch in state 3 to confirm that the waveguide switch has switched to state 3. At time t3, both the transmitted modulation pulse and the transmitted signal are at a high level, and the transmit link starts working. The millimeter-wave transmitter is connected to the antenna through ports 2 and 3 of the waveguide switch to achieve high-power transmission of the transmitted signal. The other channel of the waveguide switch connects the receive link to the low-noise amplifier and the matched load through ports 1 and 4. Between t4 and t6, the receiver enters reception mode, shutting down the transmission modulation pulse and transmission signal. The waveguide switch switches to state 1 via control signal OC1, and after a dead time Td confirms the switch is in place, the reception modulation pulse is high, and the reception link starts working. The low-noise amplifier is connected to the antenna to receive signals through ports 3 and 4 of the waveguide switch. The other channel of the waveguide switch connects the transmission link to the millimeter-wave transmitter output and the matched load through ports 1 and 2.

5. The millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pulse widths of the control signals OC1 and OC3 are set between 0.6 seconds and 1 second.

6. The millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The pulse widths of the control signals OC1 and OC3 are set to 0.8 seconds.

7. The millimeter-wave high-power, high-isolation, low-noise transceiver method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The dead time Td is set to 0.2 seconds.

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