Variable frequency switch matrix equipment for millimeter wave system equipment calibration

Abstract

The utility model discloses frequency conversion switch matrix equipment for millimeter wave system equipment calibration, which is characterized in that after an intermediate frequency signal and a local oscillator signal output by a millimeter wave system are distinguished by a duplexer, the two signals are input into a frequency mixing module for frequency mixing to obtain a radio frequency signal, and the radio frequency signal is input into the millimeter wave system through a switch matrix. Therefore, closed-loop calibration of the amplitude and the phase of the receiving link of the millimeter wave system is realized; or the radio-frequency signal is input to the frequency mixing module through the switch matrix, the radio-frequency signal is down-converted to the intermediate-frequency signal through the frequency mixing module, and the intermediate-frequency signal is input into the millimeter wave system, so that closed-loop calibration of the amplitude and the phase of a transmitting link of the millimeter wave system is realized. Besides, the intermediate frequency signal and the local oscillator signal can be transmitted between the millimeter wave system and the duplexer through one interface, circuit connection is simplified, furthermore, the millimeter wave system does not need to integrate a mixer and a phase-locked loop, the power consumption and the cost of the system are effectively reduced, and the overall circuit structure in the system is simplified.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a frequency conversion switch matrix device for calibrating millimeter-wave system equipment. Background Art

[0002] With the evolution of millimeter-wave technology, various communication products have entered the millimeter-wave stage, such as base stations. Nowadays, the functions of base stations are becoming more and more abundant, and the index requirements for millimeter-wave system products are also increasing. Therefore, the debugging of millimeter-wave systems is becoming more and more important. For this reason, a variety of debugging devices for millimeter-wave systems have been introduced in the prior art. For example, please refer to Figure 1 , a Chinese patent with the publication number CN116633386A discloses a microwave signal generating device with time-domain signal agility. The FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) serially configures the DDS (Direct Digital Synthesis) chip through a high-speed serial interface to generate 4-channel waveform signals; the 4-channel signals are evenly divided into 2 groups, one group corresponding to the waveform signal IF1 is output to the first mixer, and one group corresponding to the waveform signal IF2 is output to the second mixer; the first switching unit is between the DDS chip and the first mixer, and the second switching unit is between the DDS chip and the second mixer; the frequency hopping source group is used to generate local oscillator signals with different frequencies and output them to the first mixer and the second mixer; the third switching unit is arranged between the first mixer, the second mixer and the frequency hopping source group. This device can achieve rapid agility of time-domain waveforms and carrier frequencies. However, since this device uses an FPGA for control, the overall power consumption of the device is relatively high, and this device generates local oscillator signals through a frequency modulation source, and the operating frequency band of the local oscillator signals is relatively low, which is not suitable for high-frequency millimeter-wave systems. Please refer to Figure 2 , a Chinese patent with the publication number CN102780483A discloses a radio frequency digital-to-analog converter with a configurable digital-to-analog converter mixer interface and a configurable mixer. This device controls signals through a control block, and the control block is configured to selectively guide the output current from the DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) to different mixers; however, this device can only be used in transmission scenarios, is not suitable for reception scenarios, and has a relatively low operating frequency band, which is not suitable for high-frequency millimeter-wave systems. In addition, the local oscillator signals in this device can only be provided externally, and the application scenarios are limited. Please refer to Figure 3 , a Chinese patent with the publication number CN209710050U discloses a millimeter-wave signal generating device and a millimeter-wave broadband frequency conversion device, which provide a first single-point frequency local oscillator signal after frequency multiplication, filtering and amplification through a single-point frequency local oscillator signal path; provide a broadband local oscillator signal after frequency multiplication, filtering and amplification through a broadband local oscillator signal path; provide three reference clock signals through a reference clock signal path, so as to realize the change of up-conversion and down-conversion frequencies. However, this device uses all analog devices, has high link complexity and high power consumption, and can only be used in transmission scenarios. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] The main purpose of the present utility model is to provide a real-time debugging and calibration device with low power consumption and low cost, which is applied to signal transmission and reception scenarios to achieve calibration of the amplitude and phase of a millimeter-wave system.

[0004] The present utility model discloses a frequency conversion switch matrix device for calibrating millimeter-wave system equipment, including:

[0005] A millimeter-wave system, a duplexer, a mixing module, and a switch matrix;

[0006] The millimeter-wave system outputs an intermediate-frequency signal and a local oscillator signal to the duplexer. The duplexer respectively inputs the intermediate-frequency signal and the local oscillator signal to the mixing module. The mixing module mixes the intermediate-frequency signal and the local oscillator signal to obtain a radio-frequency signal, and inputs the radio-frequency signal to the switch matrix. The switch matrix outputs the radio-frequency signal into the millimeter-wave system; or

[0007] The switch matrix receives the radio-frequency signal transmitted by the millimeter-wave system and transmits the radio-frequency signal to the mixing module. The mixing module converts the radio-frequency signal into an intermediate-frequency signal and inputs it to the duplexer. The duplexer receives the intermediate-frequency signal transmitted by the mixing module and transmits the intermediate-frequency signal to the millimeter-wave system.

[0008] Furthermore, it further includes a phase-locked loop;

[0009] The phase-locked loop generates the local oscillator signal according to a reference clock signal and inputs the local oscillator signal into the mixing module.

[0010] Furthermore, it further includes a reference clock providing unit;

[0011] The reference clock providing unit outputs the reference clock signal into the phase-locked loop.

[0012] Furthermore, it further includes a filter;

[0013] The filter filters the intermediate-frequency signal transmitted by the millimeter-wave system and then inputs the intermediate-frequency signal into the mixing module; or filters the radio-frequency signal transmitted by the mixing module and then inputs the radio-frequency signal into the millimeter-wave system.

[0014] Furthermore, the reference clock providing unit outputs the reference clock signal into the duplexer;

[0015] The duplexer respectively inputs the intermediate-frequency signal and the reference clock signal into the mixing module and the phase-locked loop.

[0016] Further, it further includes a control module;

[0017] The control module is respectively connected to the mixing module, the phase-locked loop and the switch matrix.

[0018] Further, the control module is an MCU.

[0019] Further, it further includes: a spectrum analyzer; the switch matrix inputs the radio frequency signal into the spectrum analyzer.

[0020] Further, it further includes a signal source;

[0021] The signal source generates a radio frequency signal with the same amplitude and phase as the radio frequency signal according to the measurement result of the spectrum analyzer, and inputs the radio frequency signal into the mixing module.

[0022] Further, it further includes: an antenna;

[0023] The switch matrix is connected to the millimeter wave system through the antenna.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the present utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0025] The frequency conversion switch matrix device for calibrating the millimeter wave system equipment provided by the present utility model differentiates the intermediate frequency signal and the local oscillator signal output by the millimeter wave system through a duplexer, and then inputs the above two signals into the mixing module for mixing to obtain a radio frequency signal. The radio frequency signal is input into the millimeter wave system through the switch matrix, thereby realizing the closed-loop calibration of the amplitude and phase of the receiving link of the millimeter wave system; or the radio frequency signal is input into the mixing module through the switch matrix, and the radio frequency signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency signal through the mixing module, and the intermediate frequency signal is input into the millimeter wave system, thereby realizing the closed-loop calibration of the amplitude and phase of the transmitting link of the millimeter wave system. In addition, the intermediate frequency signal and the local oscillator signal can be transmitted between the millimeter wave system and the duplexer through an interface, which simplifies the connection structure between the millimeter wave system and the duplexer. Further, the millimeter wave system does not need to integrate a mixer and a phase-locked loop, effectively reducing the system power consumption and cost, and simplifying the overall circuit structure in the system. Description of the Drawings

[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a millimeter wave system debugging device in the prior art;

[0027] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of a millimeter wave system debugging device in the prior art;

[0028] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of a millimeter wave system debugging device in the prior art;

[0029] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of a frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter wave system equipment calibration in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 5 Another schematic diagram of the structure of a frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter wave system equipment calibration in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0031] Figure 6 Another schematic diagram of the structure of a frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter wave system equipment calibration in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 7 Another schematic diagram of the structure of a frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter wave system equipment calibration in an embodiment of the present utility model. Detailed implementation manners

[0033] The following will describe a frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter wave system equipment calibration of the present utility model in conjunction with the schematic diagrams, in which the preferred embodiments of the present utility model are shown. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can modify the present utility model described herein while still achieving the advantageous effects of the present utility model. Therefore, the following description should be understood as a broad guidance for those skilled in the art and not as a limitation to the present utility model.

[0034] In the following paragraphs, the present utility model will be described more specifically by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present utility model will be clearer according to the following description and the claims. It should be noted that the drawings are all in a very simplified form and use non-precise scales, only for the purpose of facilitating and clearly assisting in explaining the embodiments of the present utility model.

[0035] Please refer to Figures 4 - 5 , this embodiment discloses a frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter wave system equipment calibration, including: a millimeter wave system, a duplexer, a mixing module, and a switch matrix.

[0036] Specifically, the millimeter wave system outputs an intermediate frequency signal and a local oscillator signal to the duplexer, the duplexer respectively inputs the intermediate frequency signal and the local oscillator signal to the mixing module, the mixing module mixes the intermediate frequency signal and the local oscillator signal to obtain a radio frequency signal, and inputs the radio frequency signal to the switch matrix, and the switch matrix outputs the radio frequency signal into the millimeter wave system.

[0037] Alternatively, the switch matrix receives the radio frequency signal transmitted by the millimeter-wave system and transmits the radio frequency signal to the mixing module. The mixing module converts the radio frequency signal into an intermediate frequency signal and then inputs it into the duplexer. The duplexer receives the intermediate frequency signal transmitted by the mixing module and transmits the intermediate frequency signal to the millimeter-wave system.

[0038] In this embodiment, after the duplexer differentiates the intermediate frequency signal and the local oscillator signal output by the millimeter-wave system, the above two signals are input into the mixing module for mixing to obtain a radio frequency signal. The radio frequency signal is input into the millimeter-wave system through the switch matrix. The millimeter-wave system adjusts its own parameters according to the difference between the radio frequency signal and its own signal, thereby realizing the closed-loop calibration of the amplitude and phase of the receiving link of the millimeter-wave system; or the radio frequency signal is input into the switch matrix, and then the radio frequency signal is transmitted to the mixing module through the switch matrix. The mixing module down-converts the radio frequency signal to an intermediate frequency signal, and the intermediate frequency signal is transmitted to the millimeter-wave system again through the duplexer, thereby realizing the closed-loop calibration of the amplitude and phase of the transmitting link of the millimeter-wave system. In addition, the intermediate frequency signal and the local oscillator signal can be transmitted between the millimeter-wave system and the duplexer through an interface, which simplifies the connection structure between the millimeter-wave system and the duplexer. Further, there is no need to integrate a mixer and a phase-locked loop in the millimeter-wave system, effectively reducing the power consumption and cost of the millimeter-wave system.

[0039] In this embodiment, the main function of the duplexer is to isolate the intermediate frequency signal and the local oscillator signal to prevent them from interfering with each other.

[0040] In a specific embodiment, the mixing module includes a mixer. It can be understood that the function of the mixer is to multiply two input signals with different frequencies, thereby generating sum-frequency and difference-frequency signals of the two original frequencies. Therefore, the mixer can be used to mix the intermediate frequency signal and the local oscillator signal.

[0041] In a specific embodiment, the switch matrix includes multiple stages of switch chips, for example: single-pole multi-throw switch chips.

[0042] Please refer to Figure 5 , in this embodiment, an antenna is also provided. The antenna includes a receiving antenna and a transmitting antenna. The output terminals (RFin terminal and RFout terminal) of the switch matrix can be switched to be connected to the millimeter-wave system through the receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna respectively, so that the radio frequency signal in the millimeter-wave system is input into the mixing module through the receiving antenna, or the intermediate frequency signal after mixing is input into the millimeter-wave system through the transmitting antenna, enabling the millimeter-wave system to be applied to both signal transmission and reception scenarios.

[0043] In addition, the switch matrix can also be switched to connect to a spectrum analyzer and a signal source for open-loop calibration of radio frequency signals.

[0044] Specifically, the process of open-loop calibration is as follows: The radio frequency signal is input into the spectrum analyzer through the switch matrix for measurement to obtain amplitude information. The signal source generates a radio frequency signal with the same amplitude as the radio frequency signal according to the measurement result of the spectrum analyzer. The mixing module down-converts the radio frequency signal provided by the signal source to obtain an intermediate frequency signal, and then inputs the intermediate frequency signal into the millimeter-wave system. The millimeter-wave system adjusts its own parameters according to the difference between the intermediate frequency signal and its own signal to achieve amplitude calibration.

[0045] Furthermore, it also includes a control module; the control module is respectively connected to the mixing module, the phase-locked loop and the switch matrix.

[0046] In this embodiment, the control module is used to control the phase-locked loop to generate a controllable local oscillator signal; it is also used to control the working mode of the mixing module so that it can perform up-conversion or down-conversion operations; it is also used to control the connection state of the switch matrix, control the switching connection between the switch matrix, the millimeter-wave system, the spectrum analyzer and the signal source, so as to select closed-loop calibration or open-loop calibration.

[0047] In a specific embodiment, the control module is an MCU (microcontroller).

[0048] In another specific embodiment, the millimeter-wave system internally includes an ADC (analog-to-digital converter), and the ADC can collect amplitude information and phase information to perform amplitude and phase calibration of radio frequency signals.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 6 , this embodiment also provides a frequency conversion switch matrix device for calibrating millimeter-wave system equipment, which is an improvement on the Figure 4 publicized device. Specifically, the improvement content includes:

[0050] Adding a phase-locked loop, the phase-locked loop generates the local oscillator signal according to the reference clock signal and inputs the local oscillator signal into the mixing module;

[0051] Replacing the duplexer with a filter, the filter inputs the intermediate frequency signal transmitted by the millimeter-wave system into the mixing module; or, receives the radio frequency signal transmitted by the mixing module into the millimeter-wave system.

[0052] And, adding a reference clock providing unit, the reference clock providing unit outputs the reference clock signal into the duplexer; the duplexer respectively inputs the intermediate frequency signal and the reference clock signal into the mixing module and the phase-locked loop; or, receives the intermediate frequency signal transmitted by the mixing module.

[0053] The closed-loop working process of the frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter-wave system equipment calibration at this time is as follows:

[0054] After the filter filters the intermediate-frequency signal output by the millimeter-wave system, the intermediate-frequency signal is input into the mixing module; the phase-locked loop generates a local oscillator signal according to the reference clock signal and inputs the local oscillator signal into the mixing module. The mixing module mixes the reference clock signal and the intermediate-frequency signal to obtain a radio-frequency signal. The radio-frequency signal is input into the millimeter-wave system through the switch matrix. The millimeter-wave system adjusts its own parameters according to the difference between the radio-frequency signal and its own signal, thereby realizing the closed-loop calibration of the amplitude and phase of the receiving link of the millimeter-wave system; or the radio-frequency signal is input into the switch matrix again, and then the radio-frequency signal is transmitted to the mixing module through the switch matrix. The mixing module down-converts the radio-frequency signal to an intermediate-frequency signal, and the intermediate-frequency signal is filtered by the filter and then transmitted to the millimeter-wave system again, thereby realizing the closed-loop calibration of the amplitude and phase of the transmitting link of the millimeter-wave system

[0055] Please refer to Figure 7 , this embodiment also provides a frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter-wave system equipment calibration, which is also improved based on Figure 4 the disclosed device. Specifically, the improvement content includes:

[0056] Add a reference clock providing unit, and the reference clock providing unit outputs the reference clock signal into the duplexer. The duplexer inputs the intermediate-frequency signal and the reference clock signal into the mixing module and the phase-locked loop respectively; or receives the intermediate-frequency signal transmitted by the mixing module.

[0057] In addition, add a phase-locked loop. The phase-locked loop generates the local oscillator signal according to the reference clock signal and inputs the local oscillator signal into the mixing module.

[0058] Specifically, the closed-loop working process of the frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter-wave system equipment calibration at this time is as follows:

[0059] The intermediate frequency signal and the reference clock signal output by the millimeter-wave system are distinguished by a duplexer; the phase-locked loop generates a local oscillator signal based on the reference clock signal and inputs the local oscillator signal into the mixing module. The mixing module mixes the reference clock signal and the intermediate frequency signal to obtain a radio frequency signal. The radio frequency signal is input into the millimeter-wave system through the switch matrix. The millimeter-wave system adjusts its own parameters according to the difference between the radio frequency signal and its own signal to achieve amplitude and phase calibration, and then inputs the radio frequency signal into the switch matrix again. The radio frequency signal is then transmitted to the mixing module through the switch matrix. The mixing module down-converts the radio frequency signal to an intermediate frequency signal, and the intermediate frequency signal is transmitted to the millimeter-wave system again through the duplexer, realizing the closed-loop calibration of the radio frequency signal.

[0060] In a specific embodiment, the reference clock signal providing unit is provided by the millimeter-wave system, that is, the millimeter-wave system directly outputs the reference clock signal and the intermediate frequency signal simultaneously. At this time, the millimeter-wave system and the debugging and calibration equipment board share the same reference clock signal, which can ensure that the signals of the debugging and calibration equipment and the millimeter-wave system are of the same origin.

[0061] In a specific embodiment, the phase-locked loop includes: a radio frequency phase-locked loop (RF PLL) chip or a phase-locked loop (PLL) chip.

[0062] In another specific embodiment, the phase-locked loop chip includes: a phase detector chip, a low-pass filter chip, and a voltage-controlled oscillator chip. Among them, the reference clock signal is input into the phase detector. The phase detector compares the reference clock signal with the signal output by the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) to generate a voltage signal proportional to the phase difference between the two; the low-pass filter is used to filter the voltage signal output by the phase detector, and the obtained voltage signal is used to adjust the output frequency of the voltage-controlled oscillator, so as to adjust the output frequency of the voltage-controlled oscillator to be synchronized with the reference clock signal, thereby generating a local oscillator signal.

[0063] In another specific embodiment, the reference clock providing unit is arranged inside the debugging and calibration equipment board (this debugging and calibration equipment board). The reference clock can be provided by an OCXO (oven-controlled crystal oscillator), a TCXO (temperature-compensated crystal oscillator), and an XO (crystal oscillator). It can be understood that those skilled in the art can choose which crystal oscillator to use according to the actual situation. For example, for applications that require high-precision frequency measurement, an OCXO or a TCXO can be selected; while if cost reduction is required, an XO can be selected.

[0064] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the present utility model. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present utility model fall within the scope of the claims of the present utility model and their equivalent technologies, the present utility model is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter wave system equipment calibration, characterized in that Including: A millimeter-wave system, a duplexer, a mixing module, and a switch matrix; The millimeter-wave system outputs an intermediate-frequency signal and a local oscillator signal to the duplexer. The duplexer inputs the intermediate-frequency signal and the local oscillator signal into the mixing module respectively. The mixing module mixes the intermediate-frequency signal and the local oscillator signal to obtain a radio-frequency signal, and inputs the radio-frequency signal into the switch matrix. The switch matrix outputs the radio-frequency signal into the millimeter-wave system; or The switch matrix receives the radio-frequency signal transmitted by the millimeter-wave system, and transmits the radio-frequency signal to the mixing module. The mixing module converts the radio-frequency signal into an intermediate-frequency signal and inputs it into the duplexer. The duplexer receives the intermediate-frequency signal transmitted by the mixing module and transmits the intermediate-frequency signal to the millimeter-wave system.

2. The frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter wave system equipment calibration according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a phase-locked loop; The phase-locked loop generates the local oscillator signal according to a reference clock signal and inputs the local oscillator signal into the mixing module.

3. The frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter wave system equipment calibration according to claim 2, characterized in that, It further includes a reference clock providing unit; The reference clock providing unit outputs the reference clock signal into the phase-locked loop.

4. The frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter wave system equipment calibration according to claim 3, characterized in that, It further includes a filter; The filter filters the intermediate-frequency signal transmitted by the millimeter-wave system and then inputs the intermediate-frequency signal into the mixing module; or filters the radio-frequency signal transmitted by the mixing module and then inputs the radio-frequency signal into the millimeter-wave system.

5. The frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter-wave system equipment calibration according to claim 3, characterized in that The reference clock providing unit outputs the reference clock signal into the duplexer; The duplexer inputs the intermediate-frequency signal and the reference clock signal into the mixing module and the phase-locked loop respectively.

6. The frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter wave system equipment calibration according to claim 2, characterized in that, It further includes a control module; The control module is respectively connected to the mixing module, the phase-locked loop, and the switch matrix.

7. The frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter-wave system equipment calibration according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control module is an MCU.

8. The frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter wave system equipment calibration according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes: A spectrum analyzer; The switch matrix inputs the radio-frequency signal into the spectrum analyzer.

9. The frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter wave system equipment calibration according to claim 8, characterized in that, It further includes a signal source; The signal source generates a radio-frequency signal with the same amplitude and phase as the radio-frequency signal according to the measurement result of the spectrum analyzer and inputs the radio-frequency signal into the mixing module.

10. The frequency conversion switch matrix device for millimeter wave system equipment calibration according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes: An antenna; The switch matrix is connected to the millimeter-wave system through the antenna.

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