Broadband large-dynamic controllable attenuator device and electronic measurement equipment

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the field of electronic measuring instruments, in particular to a broadband large-dynamic controllable attenuator device and electronic measuring equipment, which comprise an electronic switch 1, one output end of the electronic switch 1 is connected with a broadband amplifier, and the output end of the broadband amplifier is connected with an electronic switch 2; and the fixed attenuator is connected to the other output end of the first electronic switch. Through the mutual cooperation of the electronic switch, the broadband amplifier, the fixed attenuator, the digital step attenuator and other structures, channels can be switched, input signals can be amplified, adjusted and output, the input signals can also be attenuated, adjusted and output, and compared with the existing programmable attenuator integration, the programmable attenuator integration has the advantages of simple structure and convenient operation. According to the device, the defect of first amplification and then attenuation during large signal output is avoided, and when the device attenuates and regulates the output signal, the power supply of the amplification regulation channel is also closed, so that the power consumption of the whole integrated equipment is effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electronic measuring instruments, in particular to a broadband and large-dynamic controllable attenuator device and electronic measuring equipment. Background Art

[0002] Large dynamic range adjustable attenuators are widely used in automatic test systems such as RF microwave signal sources, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers and measuring receivers, and are an indispensable key component of electronic measuring instruments and equipment. The above-mentioned electronic measuring instruments and equipment, especially the transmitting equipment, all place large dynamic range adjustable attenuators at the end of the transmitting channel. Since such attenuators are implemented in the form of multi-stage attenuation plates or variable resistor cascades, their own insertion loss after multiple cascades is large. Therefore, when outputting large signals, it is necessary to increase the power level of the device's transmitting channel to the maximum, and then pass through the large dynamic range adjustable attenuator to achieve signal output. In this way, when large signals are output, the architecture of amplification first and then attenuation not only increases the power consumption of the equipment, but also may cause the output signal power level to fail to meet expectations due to the insertion loss of the attenuator. For this reason, we propose a broadband large dynamic controllable attenuator device and electronic measuring equipment. Utility Model Content

[0003] The utility model aims to provide a broadband and large-dynamic controllable attenuator device and electronic measuring equipment, which can amplify and adjust the input signal for output, and can also attenuate and adjust the input signal for output. When the device attenuates and adjusts the output signal, the power supply of the amplification and adjustment channel is turned off, effectively reducing the power consumption of the overall integrated device.

[0004] To this end, the technical solution adopted in this utility model is:

[0005] A broadband and large dynamic controllable attenuator device, comprising:

[0006] Electronic switch 1, wherein an output end of the electronic switch 1 is connected to a broadband amplifier, and an output end of the broadband amplifier is connected to electronic switch 2;

[0007] A fixed attenuator, the fixed attenuator is connected to the other output end of the electronic switch 1, the output end of the fixed attenuator is connected to at least one digital step attenuator 1, and the output end of the digital step attenuator 1 is connected to the input end of the electronic switch 2;

[0008] The second digital step attenuator is connected to the output end of the second electronic switch.

[0009] Based on the above technical solution, its use principle and the technical effects produced are as follows:

[0010] When an external RF microwave signal is input to electronic switch 1, electronic switch 1 can select and output two paths, one is a signal amplification channel, and the other is a small signal output channel. The signal amplification channel is connected to a broadband amplifier to achieve signal amplification, and the small signal output channel is connected to a fixed attenuator and a digital step attenuator 1 to achieve signal attenuation adjustment. The two channels are again selected and output through electronic switch 2. When the signal amplification channel is selected, the input signal can be amplified and adjusted for output, and when the small signal output channel is selected, the input signal can be attenuated and adjusted for output.

[0011] In a preferred example, the utility model can be further configured as follows: the device further includes a controller, and the controller is electrically connected to the electronic switch 1, the digital step attenuator 1, the electronic switch 2 and the digital step attenuator 2 respectively.

[0012] In a preferred example, the present invention can be further configured as follows: the electronic switch 1 and the electronic switch 2 are both broadband RF / micro single-pole double-throw switches.

[0013] In a preferred example, the present invention can be further configured as follows: the electronic switch 1 includes an input terminal and two output terminals, and the input terminal is used for signal input of the entire device.

[0014] In a preferred example, the utility model can be further configured as follows: the electronic switch 2 includes two input terminals and one output terminal, the two input terminals are respectively connected to the broadband amplifier and the digital step attenuator 1, and the output terminal is used for signal output of the entire device.

[0015] In a preferred example, the utility model can be further configured as follows: the broadband amplifier is a radio frequency / microwave broadband power amplifier.

[0016] In a preferred example, the utility model can be further configured as follows: the maximum adjustment range of the digital step attenuator 1 and the digital step attenuator 2 are both 31 dB, and the insertion loss is both less than 1.8 dB.

[0017] In a preferred example, the present invention can be further configured as follows: the adjustment resolution of the digital step attenuator 1 and the digital step attenuator 2 is 1 dB.

[0018] In a preferred example, the utility model can be further configured as follows: the controller is a single chip microcomputer, model c8051f350.

[0019] According to one aspect of the utility model, the utility model provides an electronic measuring device, comprising the broadband and large dynamic controllable attenuator device.

[0020] The nouns, conjunctions or adjectives involved in the above technical solution are explained as follows:

[0021] Fixed connection refers to a connection in which parts or components are fixed without any relative movement. There are two types of connection: detachable and non-detachable.

[0022] (1) A removable connection is a connection that uses screws, splines, wedge pins, etc. to hold parts together. This type of connection can be disassembled for maintenance without damaging the parts. However, the specifications of the connectors used must be correct (such as the length of the bolts, keys, and wedge pins) and they must be properly tightened.

[0023] (2) Non-detachable connections mainly refer to welding, riveting and tenoning. Since they need to be disassembled by forging, sawing or oxygen cutting for maintenance or replacement, spare parts generally cannot be reused. At the same time, when making connections, attention should be paid to process quality, technical inspection and remedial measures (such as calibration, polishing, etc.);

[0024] An active connection is a connection in which parts or components are fixed so that they can move relative to each other.

[0025] The above technical solution of the utility model has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0026] (1) The utility model can switch channels by cooperating with the electronic switch and the broadband amplifier, fixed attenuator, digital step attenuator and other structures, and can amplify and adjust the input signal for output, and can also attenuate and adjust the input signal for output. Compared with the existing programmable attenuator integration, the defects of amplification followed by attenuation are avoided when large signals are output, and the device also turns off the power supply of the amplification and adjustment channel when attenuating and adjusting the output signal, effectively reducing the power consumption of the overall integrated device.

[0027] (2) Compared with the existing programmable step attenuator, the utility model is more compact, occupies less installation space, and has stronger practicality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the utility model;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second embodiment of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Reference numerals:

[0032] 1. Electronic switch 1; 2. Broadband amplifier; 3. Electronic switch 2; 4. Fixed attenuator; 5. Digital step attenuator 1; 6. Digital step attenuator 2; 7. Controller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present utility model and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0034] According to the conception of this embodiment, Figures 1 to 3 The following describes an embodiment of a broadband large dynamic controllable attenuator device used in automatic test systems such as radio frequency microwave signal sources, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers and measuring receivers. Specifically, the broadband large dynamic controllable attenuator device is constructed as an integrated structure, which has four components, namely, an electronic switch, a fixed attenuator 4, a broadband amplifier 2 and a digital step attenuator. Through the mutual cooperation of the electronic switch and the broadband amplifier 2, the fixed attenuator 4, the digital step attenuator and other structures, the channel can be switched, and the input signal can be amplified and adjusted for output, and the input signal can also be attenuated and adjusted for output. Compared with the existing programmable attenuator integration, the defects of amplification before attenuation and the like are avoided when large signals are output, and the device also turns off the power supply of the amplification and adjustment channel when attenuating and adjusting the output signal, effectively reducing the power consumption of the overall integrated device.

[0035] Embodiment 1:

[0036] Combination Figure 1 As shown, the utility model provides a broadband and large dynamic controllable attenuator device, comprising:

[0037] An electronic switch 1, one output end of the electronic switch 1 is connected to a broadband amplifier 2, and an output end of the broadband amplifier 2 is connected to an electronic switch 2 3;

[0038] A fixed attenuator 4, the fixed attenuator 4 is connected to the other output end of the electronic switch 1, the output end of the fixed attenuator 4 is connected to two digital step attenuators 1 5, and the output end of the digital step attenuator 1 5 is connected to the input end of the electronic switch 2 3;

[0039] The digital step attenuator 2 6 is connected to the output end of the electronic switch 2 3 .

[0040] The technical solution of this embodiment also includes a controller 7, which is electrically connected to the electronic switch 1, the digital step attenuator 1 5, the electronic switch 2 3 and the digital step attenuator 2 6 respectively. The controller 7 is set as a single-chip microcomputer, model c8051f350. The controller 7 receives and analyzes external instructions through the SPI interface, and controls the selection of the electronic switch, the power supply of the broadband amplifier 2 and the adjustment of the digital step attenuator.

[0041] According to the technical solution of this embodiment, both the electronic switch 1 and the electronic switch 2 3 are broadband radio frequency / micro single-pole double-throw switches (SPDT) for realizing signal gating.

[0042] Furthermore, the electronic switch 1 includes an input terminal and two output terminals, and the input terminal is used for signal input of the entire device.

[0043] Furthermore, the electronic switch 2 3 includes two input terminals and one output terminal, the two input terminals are respectively connected to the broadband amplifier 2 and the digital step attenuator 1 5 , and the output terminal is used for signal output of the entire device.

[0044] According to the technical solution of this embodiment, the broadband amplifier 2 is a radio frequency / microwave broadband power amplifier, which is used to amplify the input signal.

[0045] According to the technical solution of this embodiment, the digital step attenuator 1 5 and the digital step attenuator 2 6 are used to achieve large dynamic range adjustment and fine adjustment resolution of the signal. The maximum adjustment range of a single digital step attenuator is about 31dB, and the insertion loss is less than 1.8dB.

[0046] According to the technical solution of the present application, the fixed attenuator 4 is used to realize the fixed attenuation of the signal path, and realize the fixed compensation for the maximum attenuation value of the signal on the amplification channel.

[0047] Specifically, when an external RF microwave signal is input to an electronic switch 1, the electronic switch 1 can select and output two paths, one is a signal amplification channel, and the other is a small signal output channel. The signal amplification channel is connected to a broadband amplifier 2 to achieve signal amplification, and the small signal output channel is connected to a fixed attenuator 4 and a digital step attenuator 5 to achieve signal attenuation adjustment. The two channels are again selected and output through an electronic switch 2 3.

[0048] When the signal amplification and adjustment channel is selected, the channel can not only utilize the broadband amplifier 2 to amplify the input signal, but also the electronic switch 23 and the digital step attenuator 26 at the rear end of the broadband signal amplifier have small insertion losses, and can achieve large signal output when the digital step attenuator 15 and the digital step attenuator 26 are directly passed. In addition, the attenuation dynamics of the digital step attenuator can also be dynamically adjusted during large signal output, which effectively improves the defects of the traditional programmable attenuator integrated architecture of amplifying first and then attenuating, and at the same time reduces the requirements for the input signal level during large signal output; the signal amplification and adjustment channel can dynamically adjust the maximum output signal, and the digital step attenuator 15 and the digital step attenuator 26 can achieve 31dB output dynamic adjustment, and the adjustment resolution can reach 1dB.

[0049] When the small signal output channel is selected, the fixed attenuator 4 of the small signal output channel makes a fixed compensation for the maximum attenuation value of the signal on the amplification channel, the digital step attenuator 1 5 and the digital step attenuator 2 6 realize a wide range of dynamic amplitude adjustment, and the power supply of the broadband amplifier 2 is automatically turned off when the small signal output channel is selected, thereby reducing the integrated power consumption of the overall device.

[0050] The two digital step attenuators 1 5 are connected in series, and a dynamic attenuation adjustment of nearly 95 dB can be achieved through the two-stage digital step attenuator 1 5 and the digital step attenuator 2 6 .

[0051] The following is a further description of a broadband and large dynamic controllable attenuator device provided by the utility model in combination with the accompanying drawings and implementation modes.

[0052] A broadband and large dynamic controllable attenuator device, comprising:

[0053] An electronic switch 1, one output end of the electronic switch 1 is connected to a broadband amplifier 2, and an output end of the broadband amplifier 2 is connected to an electronic switch 2 3;

[0054] A fixed attenuator 4, the fixed attenuator 4 is connected to another output end of the electronic switch 1, the output end of the fixed attenuator 4 is connected to a digital step attenuator 5, and the output end of the digital step attenuator 5 is connected to the input end of the electronic switch 2 3;

[0055] The digital step attenuator 2 6 is connected to the output end of the electronic switch 2 3 .

[0056] The working principle and use process of the utility model are as follows: when an external radio frequency microwave signal is input to an electronic switch 1, the electronic switch 1 can select and output two paths, one is a signal amplification channel, and the other is a small signal output channel. The signal amplification channel is connected to a broadband amplifier 2 to realize signal amplification, and the small signal output channel is connected to a fixed attenuator 4 and a digital step attenuator 5 to realize signal attenuation adjustment. The two channels are again selected and output through an electronic switch 3. When the signal amplification channel is selected, the input signal can be amplified and adjusted for output, and when the small signal output channel is selected, the input signal can be attenuated and adjusted for output.

[0057] Embodiment 2:

[0058] The fundamental difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the number of the digital step attenuator 5 is set to one, and the attenuation adjustment range can be reduced by reducing the number of the digital step attenuator 5.

[0059] Embodiment three:

[0060] The fundamental difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is that the number of the digital step attenuators 5 is set to three, and the three digital step attenuators 5 are connected in series. By increasing the number of the digital step attenuators 5, the attenuation adjustment range can be expanded.

[0061] In summary, the operating frequency range of the technical solution of the present application covers 9kHz to 40GHz. The device has low requirements on the output level of the input signal source device, and can achieve a power level output of more than +15dBm in the 20GHz frequency band, with a maximum operating dynamic range of up to 120dB.

[0062] In the present utility model, the term "plurality" refers to two or more than two, unless otherwise clearly defined. The term "and / or" used in this article includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items. The terms "install", "connect", "connect", "fix" and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; "connection" can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0063] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "assembled on", "installed on", "fixed on" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a central element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation method.

[0064] In the description of this specification, the description of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "specific embodiments", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the utility model. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0065] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A broadband and large dynamic controllable attenuator device, characterized in that: include: An electronic switch 1 (1), wherein an output end of the electronic switch 1 (1) is connected to a broadband amplifier (2), and an output end of the broadband amplifier (2) is connected to an electronic switch 2 (3); A fixed attenuator (4), the fixed attenuator (4) being connected to the other output end of the electronic switch 1 (1), the output end of the fixed attenuator (4) being connected to at least one digital step attenuator 1 (5), the output end of the digital step attenuator 1 (5) being connected to the input end of the electronic switch 2 (3); The digital step attenuator 2 (6) is connected to the output end of the electronic switch 2 (3).

2. A broadband, large dynamic controllable attenuator device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The invention also comprises a controller (7), wherein the controller (7) is electrically connected to the electronic switch 1 (1), the digital step attenuator 1 (5), the electronic switch 2 (3) and the digital step attenuator 2 (6) respectively.

3. A broadband, large dynamic controllable attenuator device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electronic switch 1 (1) and the electronic switch 2 (3) are both broadband radio frequency / micro single-pole double-throw switches.

4. A broadband and large dynamic controllable attenuator device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electronic switch 1 (1) comprises an input terminal and two output terminals, wherein the input terminal is used for signal input of the entire device.

5. A broadband and large dynamic controllable attenuator device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The electronic switch 2 (3) comprises two input ends and one output end, the two input ends are respectively connected to the broadband amplifier (2) and the digital step attenuator 1 (5), and the output end is used for signal output of the entire device.

6. A broadband and large dynamic controllable attenuator device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The broadband amplifier (2) is a radio frequency / microwave broadband power amplifier.

7. A broadband and large dynamic controllable attenuator device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The maximum adjustment range of the digital step attenuator 1 (5) and the digital step attenuator 2 (6) are both 31 dB, and the insertion loss is less than 1.8 dB.

8. A broadband and large dynamic controllable attenuator device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The adjustment resolution of the digital step attenuator 1 (5) and the digital step attenuator 2 (6) is 1 dB.

9. The broadband and large dynamic controllable attenuator device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The controller (7) is configured as a single chip microcomputer, model number is c8051 f350.

10. An electronic measuring device, characterized in that: A broadband, large dynamic, controllable attenuator device comprising any one of claims 1 to 9.

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