Light-weight scattering communication-in-motion radio frequency front-end device
The lightweight, scattering-mode RF front-end device with integrated design solves the problems of high cable loss and interface interference in low- and medium-power communication systems, achieving channel isolation and low loss, and improving equipment performance and heat dissipation capabilities.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423008548.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-04
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-06
AI Technical Summary
In low-to-medium power communication systems below 200W, the split structure of existing RF front-end modules leads to high cable losses, and the concentrated interface locations of traditional switching switches cause design problems, affecting system performance and miniaturization.
Design a lightweight scattering dynamic mid-channel RF front-end device that integrates a frequency combiner, switching switch and amplifier. It adopts a rectangular inner and outer conductor structure and an electromagnet-driven mechanical switching unit to realize the frequency combining and channel switching of the channel. The four coaxial ports are rotate symmetrically arranged to reduce cable connection loss.
It achieves mutual isolation of channels and low loss, meets the requirements of miniaturization and high power carrying capacity of communication equipment, reduces insertion loss, and improves equipment performance and heat dissipation capacity.
Smart Images
Figure CN223514904U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a lightweight scattering dynamic mid-channel radio frequency front-end device. It is especially suitable for transmission devices that realize inter-frequency combining, mutual isolation, and channel switching functions in C-band broadband lightweight scattering dynamic mid-channel systems. Background Technology
[0002] In small to medium power communication systems around 200W, modules in the RF front-end, such as frequency combiners, switching devices, and amplifiers, are often modular or separate structures. These modules are connected via RF coaxial cables or waveguide feeders. While waveguide feeders offer stability and low loss, their large physical size hinders miniaturization and weight reduction. Therefore, in small to medium power systems below 200W, N-type coaxial cable connections are the most common choice. Although coaxial cable connections offer advantages such as easy connection and disassembly, besides the inherent cable loss, improper use and frequent disassembly can lead to breakage, poor contact, and connector damage, significantly impacting system performance. In a separate RF front-end module of a communication system, there are three coaxial cables: two cables connecting the two branches of the frequency combiner to the two symmetrical ports of the switching device, and the connecting cable between the switch and the amplifier. Even using low-loss cables, the total insertion loss of these three cables is around 1dB. Therefore, integrating the three modules—frequency combiner, switching switch, and amplifier—into a single design reduces the number of three connecting cables between modules, which can reduce the loss of the system's transmit and receive channels by about 1 dB. This has a positive and significant impact on improving the equipment's output power and receiver threshold.
[0003] Meanwhile, in low-to-medium power systems below 200W, coaxial switching switches for channel switching are the most widely used due to their small size and low insertion loss. The classic double-pole double-throw switch structure has four N-type RF interfaces concentrated on a single surface with the same height and orientation, and a center-to-center distance of less than 30mm. If an integrated design is simply implemented around the switching switch based on this traditional structure, the concentrated N-type interfaces can interfere with other modules, causing some difficulties for designers. Therefore, it is necessary to improve and adapt the integrated design of the switching switch's RF channel section. Utility Model Content
[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a lightweight scattering dynamic mid-channel radio frequency front-end device, which is particularly suitable for a transmission device that realizes channel cross-frequency combining, mutual isolation and channel switching function in a C-band broadband lightweight scattering dynamic mid-channel system.
[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:
[0006] A lightweight scattering dynamic mid-channel radio frequency front-end device includes a frequency combiner (1), a switching switch (2), and an amplifier (3);
[0007] The switching switch (2) has four coaxial ports, two of which are connected to the ports of the two filter branches of the frequency combiner (1) respectively, and the other two coaxial ports are connected to the RF input port and the amplifier input port respectively; the amplifier output port is connected to the RF output interface; the combining structure port of the frequency combiner (1) is connected to the antenna interface.
[0008] During operation, the transmitted signal enters one branch of the switching switch (2) from the RF input port and then enters one of the filter branches of the frequency combiner (1). After filtering out out-of-band spurious signals and interference, it is sent to the antenna port after passing through the combining structure. The received signal is input from the antenna port, passes through the combining structure of the frequency combiner and one of the filter branches in sequence, filters out the local transmitted signal and out-of-band interference, and then passes through another parallel branch of the switching switch (2) before being sent to the amplifier (3) for amplification and then to the RF output interface.
[0009] Furthermore, the switching switch includes a mechanical switching unit and a radio frequency channel unit; the four coaxial ports of the switch are located in the same plane and are 90° rotationally symmetrical.
[0010] The radio frequency channel unit includes four branches, which are connected end to end in a U-shape. The connection point of adjacent branches serves as a coaxial port for external connection. The inner and outer conductors of each branch have rectangular cross-sections, with the inner conductor located inside the outer conductor. The inner conductor is a beryllium copper spring. The inner conductor has at least two positions in the outer conductor, one of which enables the channel connection of the branch, and the other of which enables the channel disconnection of the branch.
[0011] The mechanical switching unit is used to change the position of the inner conductor within the outer conductor.
[0012] Furthermore, the switching switch also includes a signal receiving unit, which receives control signals sent by the host computer and drives the mechanical switching unit to perform actions, thereby realizing the switching of the radio frequency channel branch.
[0013] Furthermore, each branch's beryllium copper spring contains a concave-convex structure for impedance matching.
[0014] Furthermore, the mechanical switching unit includes an electromagnet; the electromagnet is located directly above the radio frequency channel unit; when the branch channel is disconnected, the electromagnet is not energized, and the inner conductor is located at the bottom inside the outer conductor; when the branch channel is connected, the electromagnet is energized, magnetically attracting the inner conductor so that it is in the conducting position of the outer conductor.
[0015] Furthermore, the outer conductor is provided with a guide rod and a washer for the inner conductor to facilitate conductivity.
[0016] Furthermore, the two filter branches of the frequency combiner are conformal bandpass filters, each containing transmission zeros outside the passband; the ports of the two filter branches of the frequency combiner are respectively adapted to switch on two opposite coaxial ports, and the other two opposite coaxial ports are the RF input interface and the amplifier input interface, respectively.
[0017] Furthermore, in the four branches of the radio frequency channel unit, the reeds of two parallel branches can be turned on or off simultaneously.
[0018] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are:
[0019] 1. The duplex device of this utility model operates in the C-band. The f1 and f2 ports of the frequency combiner are respectively adapted to the two ports in the vertical direction of the switching switch. The outer port in the horizontal direction is the RF input interface, and the inner port is connected to the input terminal of the amplifier. The frequency combiner and amplifier are designed as an integrated structure around the switching switch. The two f1 and f2 filter branches of the frequency combiner are bandpass filters, and both of them contain transmission zeros outside the passband. The structure is compact and lightweight, which meets the requirements of communication equipment for miniaturization, lightweight, switchable transceiver channels, and mutual isolation between transceiver channels.
[0020] 2. The integrated RF direct connection design reduces the transmit and receive channel loss by about 1dB caused by the use of cable interconnection, and is also beneficial to the heat dissipation design of the equipment and the improvement of the power handling capacity. It is also more conducive to further integration with the upper-level equipment, and meets the requirements of communication equipment for RF front-end modularization, lower insertion loss and higher power handling capacity. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the components of the frequency combiner of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the composition and working mode 1 of this utility model;
[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the composition and working principle of this utility model, Mode 2.
[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the switching switch components and vertical direction of this utility model;
[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the working state 1 of the switching switch of this utility model;
[0026] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the switching working state 2 of this utility model.
[0027] Figure 7 This is a simplified structural diagram of the switching branch of this utility model in the conducting state.
[0028] Figure 8 This is a simplified structural diagram of the switching switch branch of this utility model in the open state.
[0029] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the concave and convex structures on the inner and outer conductors of this utility model.
[0030] In the diagram: 1. Frequency combiner, 2. Switch, 3. Amplifier, 4. Filter branch f1, 5. Filter branch f2, 6. Combining structure, 7. Signal receiving unit, 8. Mechanical switching unit, 9. RF channel unit, 10. One of the relative branches, 11. The other relative branch, 8-1. Electromagnet, 9-1. Inner conductor, 9-2. Outer conductor, 9-3. Guide rod, 9-4. Gasket, 9-5. Inner conductor of the port, 13. Concave-convex matching structure. Detailed Implementation
[0031] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings:
[0032] A lightweight scattering dynamic mid-channel RF front-end device. This device is a three-port module based on a coaxial interface, consisting of three functional units: a frequency combiner 1, a switching switch 2, and an amplifier 3.
[0033] When operating in mode 1 (or mode 2), the transmitted signal enters one branch of the switching switch 2 from the RF input port and then enters the filter branch of the frequency combiner 1 with a center frequency of f1 (f2 in mode 2) (f1≠f2 and there is a certain interval). After filtering out out-of-band spurious signals and interference, it is sent to the antenna port after passing through the combining structure. The received signal is input from the antenna port, passes through the combining structure and the filter branch of the frequency combiner 1 with a center frequency of f2 (f1 in mode 2) in sequence. After filtering out the local transmitted signal and out-of-band interference, it is sent to the amplifier 3 after passing through another parallel branch of the switching switch 2 and then amplified before reaching the RF output interface.
[0034] Unlike the RF front-end of distributed modules in other small and medium power systems, the frequency combiner 1 and amplifier 3 of this invention are integrated around the switching switch 2. The two f1 filter branches 4 and f2 filter branches 5 of the frequency combiner 1 are conformal bandpass filters, each containing transmission zeros outside the passband. The f1 and f2 ports of the frequency combiner are respectively adapted to ports b and d in the vertical direction of the switching switch 2, the outer port a in the horizontal direction is the RF input interface, and the inner port c is connected to the input terminal of the amplifier.
[0035] The switch 2, from top to bottom, consists of a signal receiving unit 7, a mechanical switching unit 8, and an RF channel unit 9. It receives control signals from the host computer to the top-level signal receiving unit 7, driving the middle-level mechanical switching unit 8 to connect or disconnect the branch of the bottom RF channel unit, thus achieving the RF channel switching function. Unlike traditional coaxial switch structures, the four coaxial interfaces of this switch 2 are located in the middle of the four side walls of the RF channel unit 9 housing, facing four directions respectively, with the lines perpendicular to each other and arranged in a "+" shape. The four interfaces are located on the same plane and symmetrically distributed, with the interface axes perpendicular to the height direction of the switch.
[0036] The inner conductor of the RF channel inside the switch 2 consists of four identical, elastic beryllium copper springs arranged in a U-shape. Unlike traditional coaxial structures, both the inner and outer conductors of this invention have rectangular cross-sections, facilitating component fabrication. Furthermore, each branch's inner conductor 9-1 contains concave-convex matching structures for impedance matching, enabling impedance matching designs for specific frequency bands. See details... Figure 9
[0037] Of the four RF channels inside switch 2, only two parallel branches (10 or 11) can be turned on or off simultaneously. Each RF channel has a self-retaining function after power failure and a status indication function to indicate whether it has switched to the correct position.
[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the frequency combiner of this utility model. The duplex device consists of an f1 filter branch 4, an f2 filter branch 5, and a combiner structure 6. The f1 filter branch 4 and the f2 filter branch 5 provide mutual isolation between the receive channel and the transmit channel.
[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the composition and operation of mode 1 of this utility model. When the RF front-end device is in operating mode 1, the transmitted signal enters the switching switch 2 from the RF input interface, passes through the f1 interface of the switching switch, enters the f1 filter branch 4 of the frequency combiner 1, the combining structure 6, and is output to the antenna interface. The received signal enters from the antenna interface, passes through the combining structure 6 of the frequency combiner 1, the f2 filter branch 5 to the f2 interface, and is then output to the amplifier 3 through another parallel branch of the switching switch 2. After amplification, it is sent to the RF output interface.
[0040] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram illustrating the composition and working process of Mode 2 of this utility model. When the RF front-end device is in operating mode 2, the transmitted signal enters the switching switch 2 from the RF input interface, passes through the f2 interface of the switching switch, enters the f2 filter branch 4 of the frequency combiner 1, and the combining structure 6 before being output from the antenna interface. The received signal enters from the antenna interface, passes through the combining structure 6 of the frequency combiner 1, and the f1 filter branch 5 to reach the f1 interface. It then passes through another parallel branch of the switching switch 2 and is output to the amplifier 3, amplified, and then sent to the RF output interface.
[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the components and vertical orientation of the switching switch 2 of this utility model. From top to bottom, the switching switch consists of a signal receiving unit 7, a mechanical switching unit 8, and an RF channel unit 9. The four coaxial interface ports a, b, c, and d of the switch are located in the middle of the four side walls of the RF channel unit 9 housing, facing four directions respectively, and are connected in a cross shape.
[0042] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the working state 1 of the switch of this utility model. When the switch is working in state 1, the spring contacts (inner conductors) between ports a and b, and between ports c and d are lifted and connected. The spring contacts (inner conductors) between ports a and d, and between ports b and c, are in another position and disconnected.
[0043] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the switching switch in working state 2 of this utility model. When the switching switch is working in state 2, the spring contacts between ports b and c, and between ports a and d are lifted and connected (i.e., the inner conductor of the branch is connected to the inner conductor of the port). At the same time, the spring contacts between ports a and b, and between ports c and d are disconnected.
[0044] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a simplified diagram illustrating the switching principle of the switch of this utility model, showing the two states of conduction and disconnection. The mechanical switching unit includes an electromagnet, which is located directly above the radio frequency channel unit. When the branch channel is disconnected, the electromagnet is not energized, and the inner conductor is located at the bottom inside the outer conductor. When the branch channel is connected, the electromagnet is energized, magnetically attracting the inner conductor to the conducting position of the outer conductor. The outer conductor contains a guide rod and a washer for the inner conductor to facilitate conduction.
[0045] In this embodiment, the gravity fall can also be achieved using a spring, which is mounted on the guide rod.
[0046] Figures 1 to 6The integrated design of the intermediate frequency combiner 1 and amplifier 3, surrounding the switching switch 2, is compact and lightweight, meeting the requirements of communication equipment for miniaturization, lightweighting, switchable transceiver channels, and isolation between transceiver channels. The integrated RF direct connection design reduces transceiver channel loss by approximately 1dB due to cable interconnection, and also facilitates heat dissipation design and increased power handling capacity. Furthermore, it facilitates further integration with higher-level equipment, satisfying the requirements of communication equipment for modular RF front-end, lower insertion loss, and higher power handling capacity.
[0047] The installation structure of this utility model is as follows: The RF front-end device is located behind the feedhorn and can automatically switch its working state by receiving control signals from the host computer through the control power supply interface. The antenna interface of the RF front-end is directly connected to the antenna feedhorn using a cable or waveguide. The RF input interface is connected to the power amplifier's RF output interface, and the RF output interface is connected to the receiver's RF input. When operating in state 1, the f1 interface of the frequency combiner is connected to the RF input interface, and the f2 interface is connected to the amplifier's RF input.
Claims
1. A lightweight scattering dynamic mid-channel radio frequency front-end device, comprising a frequency combiner (1), a switching switch (2), and an amplifier (3); characterized in that, The switching switch (2) has four coaxial ports, two of which are connected to the ports of the two filter branches of the frequency combiner (1) respectively, and the other two coaxial ports are connected to the RF input port and the amplifier input port respectively; the amplifier output port is connected to the RF output interface; the combining structure port of the frequency combiner (1) is connected to the antenna interface. During operation, the transmitted signal enters one branch of the switching switch (2) from the RF input port and then enters one of the filter branches of the frequency combiner (1). After filtering out out-of-band spurious signals and interference, it is sent to the antenna port after passing through the combining structure. The received signal is input from the antenna port, passes through the combining structure of the frequency combiner and one of the filter branches in sequence, filters out the local transmitted signal and out-of-band interference, and then passes through another parallel branch of the switching switch (2) before being sent to the amplifier (3) for amplification and then to the RF output interface.
2. The lightweight scattering dynamic mid-pass radio frequency front-end device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching switch includes a mechanical switching unit and a radio frequency channel unit; the four coaxial ports of the switch are located in the same plane and are 90° rotationally symmetrical. The radio frequency channel unit includes four branches, which are connected end to end in a U-shape. The connection point of adjacent branches serves as a coaxial port for external connection. The inner and outer conductors of each branch have rectangular cross-sections, with the inner conductor located inside the outer conductor. The inner conductor is a beryllium copper spring. The inner conductor has at least two positions in the outer conductor, one of which enables the branch to conduct and the other of which enables the branch to disconnect. The mechanical switching unit is used to change the position of the inner conductor within the outer conductor.
3. The lightweight scattering dynamic mid-pass radio frequency front-end device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The switching switch also includes a signal receiving unit, which receives control signals sent by the host computer and drives the mechanical switching unit to perform actions, thereby realizing the switching of the radio frequency channel branch.
4. The lightweight scattering dynamic mid-pass radio frequency front-end device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each branch's beryllium copper spring has a concave-convex structure for impedance matching.
5. A lightweight scattering dynamic mid-pass radio frequency front-end device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mechanical switching unit includes an electromagnet; the electromagnet is located directly above the radio frequency channel unit. When the branch circuit is open, the electromagnet is not energized, and the inner conductor is located at the bottom inside the outer conductor; when the branch circuit is connected, the electromagnet is energized, and the inner conductor is magnetically attracted to the outer conductor so that it is in the conducting position of the outer conductor.
6. A lightweight scattering dynamic mid-pass radio frequency front-end device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The outer conductor contains a guide rod and a washer for the inner conductor to facilitate conductivity.
7. The lightweight scattering dynamic mid-pass radio frequency front-end device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two filter branches of the frequency combiner are conformal bandpass filters, each containing a transmission zero outside the passband. The ports of the two filter branches of the frequency combiner are respectively adapted to switch on two opposite coaxial ports, and the other two opposite coaxial ports are the RF input interface and the amplifier input interface, respectively.
8. A lightweight scattering dynamic mid-pass radio frequency front-end device according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the four branches of the radio frequency channel unit, the reeds of two parallel branches can be turned on or off simultaneously.