Port expansion device
By designing a port expansion device, utilizing excitation source switches, reference receiver switches, and directional couplers, the problems of large size, complexity, and insertion loss caused by port expansion of vector network analyzers were solved, achieving efficient and accurate measurement for multi-port testing.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520266455.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-09
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-02-19
AI Technical Summary
In the existing technology, the port expansion method of vector network analyzers results in a large test system size, complex use, and insertion loss affecting directionality, which in turn affects the measurement accuracy of the reflection coefficient.
Port expansion devices are used, including excitation source switches, reference receiver switches, measurement receiver switches, and directional couplers. These devices are connected and controlled through a chassis, avoiding direct connection of the switching devices. The use of directional couplers reduces insertion loss and ensures directionality.
It fulfills the multi-port testing requirements of vector network analyzers, reduces testing performance loss, improves measurement accuracy and directionality, and simplifies the usage process.
Smart Images
Figure CN223650631U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of port expansion technology for vector network analyzers, and more particularly to a port expansion device. Background Technology
[0002] Vector network analyzers are required when testing RF microwave devices, cables, connectors, and other components. Currently, balanced components are increasingly used in RF systems, and these components typically have multiple ports, thus necessitating the use of multi-port vector network analyzers. Additionally, high-speed data network cables often include multiple differential cables, sometimes requiring a large number of test ports for testing.
[0003] Typical vector network analyzers include an excitation source, a reference receiver, and a measurement receiver. To meet port quantity requirements, some modern vector network analyzers offer expansion ports for users to choose from, such as... Figure 3 As shown, taking a vector network analyzer with two test terminals as an example, there are six pairs of switching ports on the same side panel of the test terminals. The two switching ports in each pair are represented as A-1, A-2; B-1, B-2; C-1, C-2; D-1, D-2; E-1, E-2; and F-1, F-2. The two pairs of switching ports A-1, A-2 and B-1, B-2 are used to switch the excitation source built into the vector network analyzer. If the internal excitation source is to be used at the test terminal, it is connected to the switching port through jumper 1 and / or jumper 2. If the excitation source is to be extended to the outside, jumper 1 and / or jumper 2 is removed, and then the external cable is connected to the switching port. Similarly, the other four switching ports can be used to switch the reference receiver and measurement receiver for internal use or external extension of the vector network analyzer.
[0004] However, while existing technologies can use switching ports for expansion, a common approach is to cascade more vector network analyzers through the connection of switching ports. This results in a large test system that is complex to use. Furthermore, if the switching device and the device under test are directly connected, insertion loss will occur, which will degrade the directionality of the vector network analyzer and affect the measurement of the reflection coefficient. Utility Model Content
[0005] To address the aforementioned shortcomings, this invention provides a port expansion device that can easily expand a vector network analyzer and improve multi-port testing performance.
[0006] In order to achieve the purpose of this utility model, the following technology is proposed to be adopted:
[0007] A port expansion device, comprising:
[0008] k excitation source switches, each excitation source switch is connected to an excitation source interface;
[0009] k reference receiver switches, each reference receiver switch is connected to a reference receiver interface;
[0010] k measurement receiving switches, each measurement receiving switch is connected to a measurement receiver interface;
[0011] There are N directional couplers, where N≥k. Each directional coupler has a port. Each excitation source switch is connected to at least one directional coupler, each reference receiving switch is connected to at least one directional coupler, and each measurement receiving switch is connected to at least one directional coupler.
[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a chassis, with the excitation source switch, reference receiver switch, measurement receiver switch, and directional coupler all housed inside the chassis.
[0013] Furthermore, the chassis includes a front panel and a rear panel.
[0014] Furthermore, the excitation source interface, reference receiver interface, and measurement receiver interface are all located on the rear panel.
[0015] Furthermore, the port is located on the front panel.
[0016] Furthermore, it also includes a general-purpose control module located in the chassis.
[0017] Furthermore, N=k, each directional coupler is connected to each excitation source switch in a one-to-one correspondence, each directional coupler is connected to each reference receiving switch in a one-to-one correspondence, and each directional coupler is connected to each measurement receiving switch in a one-to-one correspondence.
[0018] The beneficial effects of this technical solution are as follows:
[0019] It can expand the vector network analyzer to meet the needs of simultaneous testing of multiple ports, and is easy to use. It can be connected to the vector network analyzer for a long time. When expanding, it can reduce test performance loss. The port expansion device uses a directional coupler. The switching device and the device under test are not directly connected. Instead, a directional coupler is placed in the middle, which can avoid the deterioration of directionality due to switch insertion loss. It has good directionality, can ensure the measurement accuracy of reflection coefficient, and improve test performance when adding ports. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Figure 1 A circuit schematic of a port expansion device according to an embodiment of this application is shown.
[0021] Figure 2 The circuit diagram shown illustrates the connection between the port expansion device and the vector network analyzer according to an embodiment of this application.
[0022] Figure 3The diagram shows the ports and switching ports of a vector network analyzer in the background art of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0023] The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0024] like Figure 1 The diagram shows a port expansion device for expanding the number of ports of a vector network analyzer, including a chassis, an excitation source switch, a reference receiver switch, a measurement receiver switch, a directional coupler, and a general control module.
[0025] The chassis includes a front panel and a rear panel;
[0026] k excitation source switches are located inside the chassis, and the excitation source switches are connected to excitation source interfaces located on the rear panel;
[0027] k reference receiver switches are located inside the chassis, and the reference receiver switches are connected to the reference receiver interface located on the rear panel.
[0028] k measurement receiver switches are located inside the chassis, and the measurement receiver switches are connected to the measurement receiver interface located on the rear panel.
[0029] N directional couplers are located inside the chassis, and N≥k. The directional couplers are connected to ports located on the front panel. Each excitation source switch is connected to at least one directional coupler, each reference receiving switch is connected to at least one directional coupler, and each measurement receiving switch is connected to at least one directional coupler.
[0030] The general control module, located inside the chassis, is used to receive external commands and control the internal components of the port expansion device. The general control module is connected to a network port located on the rear panel.
[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, taking k=2 as an example, when the port expansion device is connected to the vector network analyzer, the two excitation source switches are connected to switch port A-1 and switch port B-1 respectively through the excitation source interface, the two reference receiver switches are connected to switch port C-1 and switch port D-1 respectively through the reference receiver interface, and the two measurement receiver switches are connected to switch port E-1 and switch port F-1 respectively through the measurement receiver interface.
[0032] Work style:
[0033] Following the example above, the vector network analyzer can still use its two test ports normally, and then expand the port of the device through this port, and then control different switches in the expanded device through the port to select to expand some or all of the excitation source, reference receiver or measurement receiver.
[0034] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. A port expansion device, characterized in that, include: k excitation source switches, each excitation source switch is connected to an excitation source interface; k reference receiver switches, each reference receiver switch is connected to a reference receiver interface; k measurement receiving switches, each measurement receiving switch is connected to a measurement receiver interface; There are N directional couplers, where N≥k. Each directional coupler has a port. Each excitation source switch is connected to at least one directional coupler, each reference receiving switch is connected to at least one directional coupler, and each measurement receiving switch is connected to at least one directional coupler.
2. The port expansion device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a chassis, with the excitation source switch, reference receiver switch, measurement receiver switch, and directional coupler all housed inside the chassis.
3. The port expansion device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The chassis includes a front panel and a rear panel.
4. The port expansion device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The excitation source interface, reference receiver interface, and measurement receiver interface are all located on the rear panel.
5. The port expansion device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The port is located on the front panel.
6. The port expansion device according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a general-purpose control module located in the chassis.
7. The port expansion device according to claim 1, characterized in that, N=k, each directional coupler is connected to each excitation source switch in a one-to-one correspondence, each directional coupler is connected to each reference receiving switch in a one-to-one correspondence, and each directional coupler is connected to each measurement receiving switch in a one-to-one correspondence.