An ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency conversion system

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of ultra-wideband multichannel miniaturized frequency conversion system comprising at least two frequency conversion modules, frequency conversion module includes connected broadband frequency conversion unit, down-conversion and intermediate frequency unit, broadband local oscillator source connected with broadband frequency conversion unit and with the down-conversion and intermediate frequency unit connection point frequency local oscillator source.The utility model designs the frequency conversion module of four channels of ultra-wideband miniaturization, can be equipped with channel number flexibly according to system actual demand, four channels design same, can be well guaranteed the consistency between multichannel.The utility model dynamic range is big and ultra-wideband flatness is good, and the receiving dynamic range of ultra-wideband multichannel miniaturized frequency conversion system is big, radio frequency link can realize more than 50dB's digital control attenuation, and intermediate frequency link can realize 31.5dB's digital control attenuation.Ultra-wideband flatness is good, and the whole ultra-wideband gain fluctuation is less than 2dB.The utility model radio frequency link selected component frequency all covers 0.1GHz~18GHz, realizes the working frequency of ultra-wideband.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrical component technology, specifically to an ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional broadband channels are bulky, have narrow operating frequency coverage, and a limited number of channels. With technological advancements, modern electronic devices are evolving towards miniaturization, broadband speeds, low power consumption, and multiple channels.

[0003] The widespread application of modern radar systems, including ultra-wideband, multi-channel, highly integrated, and large dynamic systems, has created an urgent need for ultra-wideband miniaturized frequency conversion systems.

[0004] Therefore, an ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention addresses the problems of narrow frequency coverage, limited number of channels, and inflexible configuration in variable frequency systems. It provides an ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized variable frequency system with a large number of channels, wider operating frequency coverage, high integration, large adjustable dynamic range, and more powerful functions. Multiple modules can be configured according to actual needs, saving resources and reducing costs. Furthermore, it achieves universal and cableless connection.

[0006] This utility model provides an ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system, including at least two frequency converter modules. Each frequency converter module includes a connected broadband frequency converter unit, a down-conversion unit and an intermediate frequency unit, a broadband local oscillator connected to the broadband frequency converter unit, and a point frequency local oscillator connected to the down-conversion unit and the intermediate frequency unit.

[0007] The broadband frequency converter unit includes a first limiter, a first two-to-one switch, a first amplifier, a second two-to-one switch, a first attenuator, a switching filter bank, an equalizer, an amplification and attenuation component, and a first mixer connected in sequence. A direct path is also provided between the first two-to-one switch and the second two-to-one switch. The broadband local oscillator is connected to the first mixer.

[0008] The downconversion and intermediate frequency unit includes a second attenuator, a first filter, a second amplifier, a second mixer, a third amplifier, a digitally controlled attenuator, a third attenuator, a second filter, a fourth amplifier, a third filter, and a fourth attenuator, all connected in sequence to the output of the first mixer. The point-frequency local oscillator is connected to the second mixer.

[0009] In the preferred embodiment of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system described in this utility model, the broadband frequency converter unit, the down-conversion and intermediate frequency units, and the broadband local oscillator source are distributed in different cavities.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system described in this utility model, the first limiter, the first two-to-one switch, the first amplifier, the second two-to-one switch, the first attenuator, the switching filter bank, the equalizer, and the amplification and attenuation components are connected in one sub-cavity, and the first mixer is connected in another sub-cavity.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system described in this utility model, the down-conversion and intermediate frequency units and the point-frequency local oscillator are connected in one cavity, while the broadband local oscillator is located in an independent cavity.

[0012] The present invention discloses an ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system, which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a four-channel frequency converter module. The broadband frequency converter unit is connected to the front of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system, while the down-conversion and intermediate frequency units, the broadband local oscillator source, and the point frequency local oscillator source are all connected to the back of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system described in this utility model, two down-conversion and intermediate frequency units share a single local oscillator source and are connected in a cavity.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system described in this utility model, the input port is located on the front of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system, and the output port is located on the back of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system.

[0015] In the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system described in this utility model, as a preferred embodiment, both the first two-to-one switch and the second two-to-one switch are mirror devices, and both are DC-19GHz absorption GaAs process SPDT switch chips.

[0016] The first amplifier is a GaAs MMIC low-noise amplifier chip with an operating frequency of 0.1GHz to 18GHz;

[0017] The first attenuator is a fixed attenuator with a frequency range of DC to 50GHz;

[0018] The switching filter bank is a GaAs monolithic integrated FET switching filter chip;

[0019] The equalizer is a GaAs MMIC equalizer chip with a frequency range covering DC to 18GHz.

[0020] The amplification and attenuation components include a low-noise amplifier and a 3-digit digitally controlled attenuator with a zero-attenuation gain of 17dB.

[0021] The first mixer is a GaAs MMIC double-balanced mixer with a frequency range of 18GHz to 50GHz and an intermediate frequency range of DC to 22GHz.

[0022] In the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system described in this utility model, as a preferred embodiment, the first filter is a bandpass filter chip with a frequency range covering 19 to 23 GHz.

[0023] The second amplifier is a broadband low-noise amplifier chip with a frequency range covering 18GHz to 40GHz;

[0024] The second mixer includes mixing, intermediate frequency filtering and amplification, and radio frequency amplification;

[0025] The frequency range of both the third and fourth amplifiers covers 0.1–3.5 GHz;

[0026] The digitally controlled attenuator is a GaAs MMIC 6-digit digitally controlled attenuator chip, with an operating frequency of 0.1~3.8GHz and an attenuation range of 0.5~31.5dB;

[0027] Both the second and third filters are bandpass filter chips with a frequency range of 1.3 to 2.3 GHz.

[0028] The ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system described in this utility model, as a preferred embodiment, has an operating frequency coverage range of 0.3GHz to 18GHz.

[0029] It also includes a power supply unit and a digital processing unit that are connected to the broadband frequency converter unit, the down-conversion and intermediate frequency unit, the broadband local oscillator source and the point frequency local oscillator source.

[0030] Ultra-wideband frequency conversion systems have a wide frequency band, often covering multiple octaves, so the flatness across the entire band is generally poor. Flatness is highly dependent on the amplitude-frequency response of the selected components. During the design and selection process, amplifiers, switches, filters, etc., with good flatness should be chosen. After the selection is completed, the frequency response characteristics across the entire band are calculated using the S-parameter files of each component, and gain flatness compensation is performed using an amplitude equalizer.

[0031] This utility model has the following advantages:

[0032] This invention features a large number of channels, a wider operating frequency coverage, high integration, a large adjustable dynamic range, and more powerful functions. Multiple modules can be configured according to actual needs, saving resources and reducing costs, and achieving universal and cableless connections. Existing products suffer from narrow frequency coverage, limited channel numbers, and inflexible configuration; this invention effectively solves these problems. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 A system block diagram of an ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a front circuit block diagram of an ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a back circuit block diagram of an ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system.

[0036] Figure 4 A front view of the circuit and structure layout of an ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system;

[0037] Figure 5 This is a circuit and structural rear layout diagram of an ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system.

[0038] Figure label:

[0039] 1. Frequency converter module; 11. Broadband frequency converter unit; 111. First limiter; 112. First two-way switch; 113. First amplifier; 114. Second two-way switch; 115. First attenuator; 116. Switching filter bank; 117. Equalizer; 118. Amplification and attenuation components; 119. First mixer; 12. Down-conversion and intermediate frequency unit; 121. Second attenuator; 122. First filter; 123. Second amplifier; 124. Second mixer; 125. Third amplifier; 126. Digitally controlled attenuator; 127. Third attenuator; 128. Second filter; 129. Fourth amplifier; 12a. Third filter; 12b. Fourth attenuator; 13. Broadband local oscillator; 14. Point-frequency local oscillator; 15. Power supply unit; 16. Digital processing unit. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0041] Example 1

[0042] An ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system, such as Figure 1 The diagram shown is a block diagram of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system of this utility model. The entire frequency converter module 1 mainly includes a wideband frequency converter unit 11, a down-conversion and intermediate frequency unit 12, a wideband local oscillator 13, a point-frequency local oscillator 14, a power supply unit 15, and a digital processing unit 16.

[0043] like Figure 2The diagram shown is a front-side circuit block diagram of the frequency conversion system of this utility model. The front-end input includes one antenna port input. Each signal RFin first passes through a first limiter 111 to ensure the input port is not damaged. Then, the signal amplitude is adjusted by switching the direct path and the first amplifier 113 through a first two-way switch 112 and a second two-way switch 114, thus achieving the linearity requirement of the entire signal path. To ensure good out-of-band rejection and anti-interference performance, the RF signal is filtered by a switching filter bank 116, then amplitude equalized by an equalizer 117, and finally the signal amplitude is adjusted by an amplification and attenuation component 118 before entering the first mixer 119 to achieve the first frequency conversion of the RF broadband signal, outputting an intermediate frequency signal IF.

[0044] The first limiter, 111, is a GaAs MMIC limiter with an ultra-wide bandwidth of DC to 20GHz and a burn-out resistance of 5W. This chip is small in size and uses on-chip through-hole metallization technology to ensure good grounding, eliminating the need for additional grounding measures and making it simple and convenient to use.

[0045] The first two-to-one switch 112 and the second two-to-one switch 114 are a pair of mirrored devices, using DC-19GHz absorption-type GaAs SPDT switch chips. They achieve low insertion loss and good isolation over a wide bandwidth, with an isolation level of up to 55dB. Only one control is needed to control the switches, resulting in fast response and simple operation.

[0046] The first amplifier 113 uses an ultra-wide operating frequency GaAs MMIC low-noise amplifier chip, with an operating frequency of 0.1GHz to 18GHz, a small signal gain of 24dB (positive slope), and a typical in-band noise figure of only 1.0dB.

[0047] The first attenuator, 115, is a fixed attenuator with a frequency range of DC to 50GHz, mainly used to adjust link gain and port VSWR. The entire link uses the same attenuator chip.

[0048] The Switching Filter Bank 116 is a GaAs monolithic integrated FET switching filter chip. It operates on a -5V power supply and is controlled by +5V (compatible with +3.3V) / 0V logic. With a switching time of 50ns, this chip features low insertion loss, good isolation, and high integration. The switching filter bank filters radio frequency signals, thereby improving the sensitivity and anti-interference performance of the frequency converter system.

[0049] Equalizer 117 uses a GaAs MMIC equalizer chip with a frequency range of DC to 18GHz and an equalization amount of 4dB, mainly used to compensate for high and low frequency gain fluctuations throughout the link.

[0050] The amplification and attenuation component 118 is a multi-functional chip that integrates a low-noise amplifier, a 3-digit digitally controlled attenuator, and a zero-attenuation gain of 17dB. It achieves 30dB attenuation through TTL control and is used to adjust the dynamic range of the receiving channel.

[0051] The first mixer 119 is a GaAs MMIC double-balanced mixer with a frequency range of 18GHz to 50GHz, an intermediate frequency range of DC to 22GHz, a conversion loss of 6.5dB, and a local oscillator / RF isolation of 42dB. This selected mixer exhibits low loss and excellent performance within its ultra-wideband signal operating range.

[0052] like Figure 3 The diagram shown is a block diagram of the back circuit of the frequency conversion system of this utility model. An intermediate frequency (IF) signal first undergoes attenuation, filtering, and amplification processing through a second attenuator 121, a first filter 122, and a second amplifier 123. Then, it enters a second mixer 124 for a second frequency conversion. The converted signal then undergoes attenuation, amplification, and filtering processing through a third amplifier 125, a digitally controlled attenuator 126, a third attenuator 127, a second filter 128, a fourth amplifier 129, a third filter 12a, and a fourth attenuator 12b. Finally, the IF signal IFout is directly output.

[0053] The first filter 122 is a bandpass filter chip with a frequency range of 19–23 GHz. It has an in-band insertion loss of less than 2.5 dB and an in-band standing wave ratio of less than 1.4, which can effectively suppress local oscillator leakage.

[0054] The second amplifier 123 is a broadband low-noise amplifier chip with a frequency range of 18GHz to 40GHz, a small-signal gain of 11dB, and an in-band noise figure of 2dB.

[0055] The second mixer 124 is a high-isolation, multi-functional chip with built-in local oscillator drive, which includes functions such as mixing, intermediate frequency filtering and amplification, and radio frequency amplification, greatly saving product size.

[0056] The third amplifier 125 and the fourth amplifier 129 are the same broadband low-noise amplifier chip, covering a frequency range of 0.1 to 3.5 GHz, with a small-signal gain of up to 30 dB and an in-band noise figure of only 1.2 dB.

[0057] The digitally controlled attenuator 126 is a GaAs MMIC 6-digit digitally controlled attenuator chip with an operating frequency of 0.1–3.8 GHz, an attenuation range of 0.5–31.5 dB, and an insertion loss of 1.8 dB.

[0058] The second filter 128 and the third filter 12a are the same bandpass filter chip, covering a frequency range of 1.3 to 2.3 GHz, with an in-band insertion loss of less than 3.0 dB and an in-band standing wave ratio of less than 1.5.

[0059] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 The diagram shows the front and back circuit layout and structure of the frequency converter system of this invention. The layout and structure diagram show that the four channels are designed identically, ensuring consistency and allowing for flexible configuration of the number of channels. Space is saved through ultra-miniature interconnection technology, enabling cableless connection between different modules (via microstrip lines and glass beads).

[0060] This utility model is a highly integrated miniaturized frequency converter system with an ultra-wide bandwidth. The product's operating frequency range is 0.3GHz to 18GHz, and its size is only 60mm*60mm*10mm due to its highly integrated four-channel design.

[0061] This invention features a product with an ultra-wideband operating frequency of 0.3GHz to 18GHz, making it compatible with various existing broadband products. The external signal first passes through a first limiter 111 to ensure the input port is protected against burnout. Then, the signal amplitude is adjusted via a direct path and a first amplifier 113, achieving the required linearity for the entire signal path. Ultra-wideband segmented filtering is achieved using a multi-functional switching filter bank 116 chip. The intermediate frequency signal is then output after amplification and attenuation, two frequency conversions, and filtering, attenuation, and amplification. The components used in the RF link all operate within a frequency range of 0.1GHz to 18GHz, achieving an ultra-wideband operating frequency. The miniaturized design of the frequency conversion system is achieved through the use of multi-functional chips, ultra-small interconnect technology, integrated irregularly shaped microwave multilayer boards, and micron-level heterogeneous processes.

[0062] This utility model is multi-channel and configurable, with the advantages of a large number of channels and flexible configuration, solving the problems of traditional products having a small number of channels and a wide variety of designs.

[0063] This invention designs a miniaturized, ultra-wideband frequency converter module 1 with four channels, allowing for flexible configuration of the number of channels according to actual system requirements. The four channels are identically designed, ensuring good consistency among them. Each channel employs a cavity design, consisting of an RF receiving section, a first local oscillator section, a second local oscillator section, and an intermediate frequency section. This cavity design prevents spatial crosstalk between signals of different frequencies.

[0064] This invention features a large dynamic range and excellent ultra-wideband flatness. The ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system boasts a large receiving dynamic range, with the RF link achieving digitally controlled attenuation of greater than 50dB and the IF link achieving digitally controlled attenuation of 31.5dB. It also exhibits excellent ultra-wideband flatness, with gain fluctuations of less than 2dB across the entire ultra-wideband.

[0065] The first stage of the broadband RF link uses a switching mode of amplification and pass-through, with 24dB attenuation control achieved through a one-bit TTL control switch. The final stage uses a single-stage attenuation amplification multi-functional chip to achieve 30dB attenuation control. Therefore, the entire RF link can achieve 54dB attenuation control, thus meeting the system's large dynamic range while ensuring that subsequent amplification and mixing circuits operate linearly. The intermediate frequency link employs a controllable attenuation of 31.5dB, which, together with the attenuation control in the RF link, achieves an attenuation control greater than 80dB.

[0066] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A miniaturized ultra-wideband multi-channel frequency converter system, characterized in that: It includes at least two frequency conversion modules (1), each frequency conversion module (1) including a connected broadband frequency conversion unit (11), a down-conversion and intermediate frequency unit (12), a broadband local oscillator (13) connected to the broadband frequency conversion unit (11), and a point frequency local oscillator (14) connected to the down-conversion and intermediate frequency unit (12); The broadband frequency conversion unit (11) includes a first limiter (111), a first two-to-one switch (112), a first amplifier (113), a second two-to-one switch (114), a first attenuator (115), a switching filter bank (116), an equalizer (117), an amplification and attenuation component (118), and a first mixer (119) connected in sequence. A direct path is also provided between the first two-to-one switch (112) and the second two-to-one switch (114). The broadband local oscillator (13) is connected to the first mixer (119). The downconversion and intermediate frequency unit (12) includes a second attenuator (121), a first filter (122), a second amplifier (123), a second mixer (124), a third amplifier (125), a digitally controlled attenuator (126), a third attenuator (127), a second filter (128), a fourth amplifier (129), a third filter (12a), and a fourth attenuator (12b) connected in sequence to the output terminal of the first mixer (119). The point-frequency local oscillator (14) is connected to the second mixer (124).

2. The ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The broadband frequency conversion unit (11), the down-conversion and intermediate frequency unit (12), and the broadband local oscillator (13) are distributed in different cavities.

3. The ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first limiter (111), the first two-way switch (112), the first amplifier (113), the second two-way switch (114), the first attenuator (115), the switching filter bank (116), the equalizer (117), and the amplification and attenuation assembly (118) are connected in one sub-cavity, and the first mixer (119) is connected in another sub-cavity.

4. The ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The downconversion and intermediate frequency unit (12) and the point frequency local oscillator (14) are connected in a cavity, and the broadband local oscillator (13) is located in an independent cavity.

5. A miniaturized ultra-wideband multi-channel frequency converter system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The inverter module (1) includes four channels. The broadband inverter unit (11) is connected to the front of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized inverter system. The down-conversion and intermediate frequency unit (12), the broadband local oscillator (13), and the point frequency local oscillator (14) are all connected to the back of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized inverter system.

6. The ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The two downconversion and intermediate frequency units (12) share a single local oscillator (14) and are connected in a cavity.

7. The ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The input port is located on the front of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system, and the output port is located on the back of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system.

8. The ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the first two-to-one switch (112) and the second two-to-one switch (114) are mirror devices and are DC-19GHz absorption GaAs process SPDT switch chips. The first amplifier (113) is a GaAs MMIC low-noise amplifier chip with an operating frequency of 0.1 GHz to 18 GHz; The first attenuator (115) is a fixed attenuator with a frequency range of DC to 50GHz; The switching filter bank (116) is a GaAs monolithic integrated FET switching filter chip; The equalizer (117) is a GaAs MMIC equalizer chip with a frequency range covering DC to 18GHz. The amplification and attenuation component (118) includes a low-noise amplifier and a 3-digit digitally controlled attenuator with a zero-attenuation gain of 17dB. The first mixer (119) is a GaAs MMIC double-balanced mixer with a frequency range of 18GHz to 50GHz and an intermediate frequency range of DC to 22GHz.

9. The ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first filter (122) is a bandpass filter chip with a frequency range covering 19 to 23 GHz; The second amplifier (123) is a broadband low-noise amplifier chip with a frequency range covering 18GHz to 40GHz; The second mixer (124) includes mixing, intermediate frequency filtering and amplification, and radio frequency amplification; The frequency range of both the third amplifier (125) and the fourth amplifier (129) covers 0.1 to 3.5 GHz; The digitally controlled attenuator (126) is a GaAs MMIC 6-digit digitally controlled attenuator chip with a working frequency of 0.1 to 3.8 GHz and an attenuation range of 0.5 to 31.5 dB. The second filter (128) and the third filter (12a) are both bandpass filter chips with a frequency range of 1.3 to 2.3 GHz.

10. The ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The operating frequency range of the ultra-wideband multi-channel miniaturized frequency converter system is 0.3GHz to 18GHz; It also includes a power supply unit (15) and a digital processing unit (16) that are connected to the broadband frequency conversion unit (11), the down-conversion and intermediate frequency unit (12), the broadband local oscillator (13) and the point frequency local oscillator (14).

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