Frequency synthesizer test system
By designing a frequency synthesizer testing system, and utilizing control boards and instrument modules to achieve automated testing, the problem of low testing efficiency of frequency synthesizers was solved, and testing efficiency was improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422901098.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-27
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-21
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-11-27
AI Technical Summary
The testing efficiency of frequency synthesizers in the current technology is low, mainly relying on manual operation of instruments, which leads to low testing efficiency.
A frequency synthesizer test system was designed, including a control board, a differential conversion module, a clock module, an instrument module, an interface module, and a power supply module. The control board converts the received communication commands into control signals, automatically controls the frequency synthesizer to output the signal under test, and the instrument module performs automated measurements of various indicators.
Automated testing of frequency synthesizers has been achieved, improving testing efficiency and reducing the need for manual operation.
Smart Images
Figure CN223582051U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to the field of test system, in particular to a frequency synthesizer test system. BACKGROUND
[0002] In modern radar, the frequency synthesizer as a key part of the radar, its good or bad directly affects the performance index of the radar, the frequency synthesizer involves a lot of indicators, including frequency, power, phase noise, spurious, harmonic, frequency stepping, signal form, etc. In the present test, the main use is to use standardized instruments and meters such as spectrum analyzer, power meter, oscilloscope, etc. to measure the indicators of the frequency synthesizer one by one. This measurement method is based on manual testing, which tests by manually operating instruments and meters. Each test needs to be connected with the frequency synthesizer and the corresponding instrument and meter, and the frequency synthesizer needs to be controlled to output the corresponding signal to be tested. This measurement method will result in low test efficiency. CONTENT OF THE UTILITY MODEL
[0003] The main purpose of the present application is to provide a frequency synthesizer test system, which aims to solve the problem of low test efficiency in manual testing of frequency synthesizers.
[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the present application provides a frequency synthesizer test system, which comprises: a control panel for converting received communication instructions into control signals; a differential conversion module connected to the control panel and connected to the frequency synthesizer, for converting single-ended signals into differential signals and sending them to the frequency synthesizer; a clock module connected to the control panel for providing a reference clock source to the control panel; an instrument module for measuring multiple indicators of the frequency synthesizer; an interface module connected to the frequency synthesizer and connected to the instrument module, for sending the test signal generated by the frequency synthesizer to the instrument module; and a power module connected to the frequency synthesizer for sending power signals to the frequency synthesizer.
[0005] Optionally, the instrument module comprises: a signal analysis module connected to the interface module for measuring the frequency spectrum indicators of the test signal; a phase noise test module connected to the interface module for measuring the phase noise indicators of the test signal; a waveform analysis module connected to the interface module for measuring the amplitude of the test signal; and a control module connected to the host computer at the input end and connected to the signal analysis module, the phase noise test module and the waveform analysis module at the output end, for controlling the opening or closing of the signal analysis module, the phase noise test module or the waveform analysis module according to the control instructions.
[0006] Optionally, the instrument module further comprises: a signal generation module connected to the interface module for generating signals during debugging of the frequency synthesizer; and the signal generation module is further connected to the control module.
[0007] Optionally, the interface module comprises a matrix switch, the input end of which is connected with the frequency synthesizer, and the output end of which is connected with the signal analysis module, the phase noise test module and the waveform analysis module respectively, for turning on and off the connection between the frequency synthesizer and the signal analysis module, the phase noise test module, the signal generation module or the waveform analysis module;
[0008] Optionally, the matrix switch is further connected with the control module, and the control module is further used for controlling the turning on or turning off of each switch in the matrix switch according to the communication instruction.
[0009] Optionally, the system further comprises a storage module connected with the instrument module, for storing the measured indexes.
[0010] Optionally, the control board is connected with the upper computer through a serial communication module.
[0011] Optionally, the control board is an FPGA.
[0012] Compared with the prior art, the application has the following beneficial effects:
[0013] The frequency synthesizer test system of the utility model, through the control board, the received control instruction is converted into the control signal of frequency synthesizer, makes the frequency synthesizer output corresponding signal to be measured, and controls the corresponding index test module in the instrument module to measure, so as to realize the automation test of frequency synthesizer, and frequency synthesizer and instrument are not needed to be manually operated, and the test efficiency is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic view of a frequency synthesizer test system of the utility model.
[0015] The implementation, functional features and advantages of the utility model will be further described with reference to the drawings in combination with embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the utility model more clear, the technical scheme in the utility model will be described clearly and completely in combination with the drawings in the utility model, obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the utility model, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor belong to the protection scope of the utility model.
[0017] The first embodiment of the utility model provides a frequency synthesizer test system, such as Figure 1As shown, the frequency synthesizer includes a control board, a differential conversion module, a clock module, an instrument module, an interface module, and a power module. The control board is connected to the host computer at the input end, and is used to convert the communication instruction of the host computer into a control signal. The differential conversion module is connected to the control board at the input end, and is connected to the frequency synthesizer at the output end, and is used to convert the single-ended signal into a differential signal by using the control signal, and send the differential signal to the frequency synthesizer. The clock module is connected to the control board, and is used to provide a reference clock to the control board. The instrument module is used to measure various indicators of the frequency synthesizer. The interface module is connected to the frequency synthesizer at the input end, and is connected to the instrument module at the output end, and is used to send the to-be-measured signal generated by the frequency synthesizer to the instrument module. The power module is connected to the frequency synthesizer, and is used to send a power signal to the frequency synthesizer. The frequency synthesizer also includes a storage module, which is connected to the instrument module, and is used to store the measured indicators.
[0018] Further, the control board is connected to the host computer through a serial communication module. In the embodiment, the control board is an FPGA, the serial communication module is a serial communication chip, and the differential conversion module is a differential conversion chip. The control board communicates with the host computer through the serial communication chip. Under the reference of the external clock input, after receiving the communication instruction of the host computer, the FPGA converts the communication instruction into a control signal of the frequency synthesizer according to the internal program, and the control signal is converted into a differential signal by the differential conversion chip, and is transmitted to the measured frequency synthesizer. The control signal controls the measured frequency synthesizer to output a corresponding to-be-measured signal. The instrument module measures the to-be-measured signal, and realizes the automatic test of the frequency synthesizer. The power module converts the input alternating current signal into a plurality of stable direct current power signals for the to-be-tested frequency synthesis system. For example, the model can be LRS-200-12, PAE75-220S24.
[0019] It should be noted that in the embodiment, the communication instruction of the host computer is set according to the actual test requirement, and the FPGA converts the communication instruction into a control signal of the frequency synthesizer by using the pre-loaded internal program. How to generate the communication instruction in the process is a function of the existing software in the host computer, and the specific internal program is selected according to the actual requirement. The specific internal program is a program that can realize the conversion, and does not belong to the improvement of the present application. The present application only improves the hardware of the test system.
[0020] The instrumentation module includes a signal analysis module, a phase noise testing module, and a waveform analysis module. The signal analysis module's input is connected to the interface module to measure the spectral parameters of the signal under test. The phase noise testing module's input is also connected to the interface module to measure the phase noise parameters of the signal under test. The waveform analysis module's input is connected to the interface module to measure the amplitude of the signal under test. The control module's input is connected to a host computer, and its output is connected to the signal analysis module, phase noise testing module, and waveform analysis module. It is used to control the activation or deactivation of these modules according to control commands. The instrumentation module also includes a signal generation module, whose output is connected to the interface module to generate signals for frequency synthesizer debugging. The signal generation module is also connected to the control module to enable or disable the module under its control.
[0021] Specifically, while sending communication commands to the control board, the host computer also sends control commands to the control module to control the activation of the corresponding analysis modules and interface modules. For example, the control module could be a control board of model XC7A35T-2FGG484 or a development control board of model EP4CE6E6F17. The signal analysis module is mainly based on Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to decompose the signal under test into discrete frequency components. The signal analysis module is used to measure the frequency, spurious signals, power, and other indicators of the input signal. In this embodiment, the frequency range of the signal analysis module is 0-40GHz, which covers the operating frequency of most frequency synthesizers. For example, the model could be SPECTRAN V6 5G 200XA-50, CPA2026, etc. Phase noise is the ratio of the noise power spectral density at a certain frequency offset from the carrier to the carrier power; this is also an important test indicator for frequency synthesizers. Since frequency synthesizers generally have high phase noise specifications, in this embodiment, the measurable frequency range of the phase noise test module is 1MHz to 18GHz, and ≤-100dBc / Hz (@1KHz) in the X-band. For example, models such as E5052B and FSWP8 can be used. The waveform analysis module is used to display the time-domain specifications of the signal, mainly showing the relationship between voltage and time. It allows observation of the waveform curve of signal amplitude changing over time and has voltage, amplitude, and phase measurement functions. In the testing of the frequency synthesizer, this module is used to measure the amplitude of low-frequency signals. For example, models such as DS8000-RSDS6000-L can be used.
[0022] The signal generation module is used during the debugging of the frequency synthesizer to generate an output signal with a preset frequency, power, and modulation. The frequency range of this signal generation module is DC to 18GHz. For example, models such as LPG2040 and STSG100M-18GHZ can be used.
[0023] The interface module comprises a matrix switch, the matrix switch, an input end connected with the frequency synthesizer, and an output end connected with the signal analysis module, the phase noise test module and the waveform analysis module respectively, and is used for conducting the connection of the frequency synthesizer and the signal analysis module, the phase noise test module, the signal generation module or the waveform analysis module; the matrix switch is further connected with the control module, and the control module is used for controlling the conduction or the turn-off of each switch in the matrix switch according to a control instruction.
[0024] Exemplarily, the matrix switch can be a 9*4 matrix switch, which is realized by combining 2 groups of four-to-one switches, 3 groups of two-to-one switches and 1 group of two-to-two switches, can be controlled by the control module, realizes the selection of the multi-channel radio frequency signal of DC-18GHz, and completes the function of the 8-to-4 matrix switch. The specific model can be, for example, MCA1P4T, SPDT and the like.
[0025] The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present application, and does not limit the patent scope of the present application, and any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation using the content of the specification and the drawings, or direct or indirect application in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present application.
Claims
1. A frequency synthesizer testing system, characterized in that, include: The control board is used to convert received communication commands into control signals; The differential conversion module has its input end connected to the control board and its output end connected to the frequency synthesizer. It is used to convert the control signal from a single-ended signal into a differential signal and send it to the frequency synthesizer. A clock module, connected to the control board, is used to provide a reference clock source to the control board; The instrumentation module is used to measure various parameters of the frequency synthesizer; An interface module, with its input end connected to the frequency synthesizer and its output end connected to the instrument module, is used to send the test signal generated by the frequency synthesizer to the instrument module. A power module, connected to the frequency synthesizer, is used to send power signals to the frequency synthesizer.
2. The frequency synthesizer testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The instrument module includes: The signal analysis module, with its input end connected to the interface module, is used to measure the spectral parameters of the signal under test. The phase noise test module, with its input end connected to the interface module, is used to measure the phase noise index of the signal under test. The waveform analysis module, with its input end connected to the interface module, is used to measure the amplitude of the signal under test. The control module has its input end connected to the host computer, and its output ends connected to the signal analysis module, phase noise test module, and waveform analysis module, respectively. It is used to control the signal analysis module, phase noise test module, or waveform analysis module to turn on or off according to control commands.
3. The frequency synthesizer testing system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The instrument module also includes: The signal generation module has its output connected to the interface module and is used to generate signals during frequency synthesizer debugging; the signal generation module is also connected to the control module.
4. The frequency synthesizer testing system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The interface module includes: A matrix switch, with its input end connected to the frequency synthesizer and its output end connected to the signal analysis module, phase noise test module, and waveform analysis module respectively, is used to turn on the connection between the frequency synthesizer and the signal analysis module, phase noise test module, signal generation module, or waveform analysis module, and to turn off the connection between the frequency synthesizer and the signal analysis module, phase noise test module, signal generation module, or waveform analysis module. The matrix switch is also connected to a control module, which is used to control the on or off of each switch in the matrix switch according to communication commands.
5. The frequency synthesizer testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a storage module, which is connected to the instrument module and is used to store the measured indicators.
6. The frequency synthesizer testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control board is connected to the host computer via a serial communication module.
7. The frequency synthesizer testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control board is an FPGA.