CN100431318C

CN100431318C - Synthetic RF detection system and method

Info

Publication number: CN100431318C
Application number: CNB038249715A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·霍夫曼
Original assignee: Honeywell International Inc
Current assignee: Honeywell International Inc
Priority date: 2002-09-05
Filing date: 2003-09-04
Publication date: 2008-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-04
Also published as: CN1695062A

Abstract

Outputs of a linear RF detector and a logarithmic RF detector are multiplexed individually to a single digitizer or simultaneously to a respective digitizers. A process generates a composite waveform from the resulting digitized data, either at a later time in the former case or in real-time in the latter case. To achieve simultaneous routing, several routing relays are arranged in a specialized configuration between the outputs of the RF detectors and the inputs of the digitizers.

Description

Synthetic RF detection system and method

The application requires the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/407 of submission on September 5th, 2002, and 982 priority openly intactly is combined in this application herein by reference.

Technical field

The present invention relates to the layout and the installation of radio frequency checkout equipment.More specifically, the present invention relates to be used to detect the configuration and the method for the improvement network analysis equipment of pulsed RF signal.

Background technology

In the RF of some types test, need sometimes to measure/detect pulse modulation RF signal with higher on-off ratio, for example greater than 70dB, when opening state, have the firing frequency level signal.An example of this test is that the assignee of the present invention carries out, and is to combine with the plan of RAH66 by name, and RAH66 is the title of the Ke Manqi of U.S. Department of Defense helicopter plan.A certain radio frequency testing has in this case adopted the auxiliary maintenance of portable radio-frequency instrument bag (Radio Frequency Portable Maintenance Aid Instrumentation Pack), or RF PIP.RF PIP is as the zone, or flight line (test is about the testing apparatus of the circuit replaceable unit of different Helicopter Systems).

For obtaining useful RF test result, representational is the signal that adopts the logarithmic detector measurement to have wide dynamic range.The dynamic range of commercial non-customized (COTS) equipment of the at present available low-converter part that is used for foregoing RF PIP is no more than 30-40dB.But this limited dynamic range is not enough for test/detection that sensitiveer needs reach the 70dB instantaneous dynamic range, and this detection is much in the such project of RAH66.

Therefore, in technology, need a kind of device or apparatus arrangement to satisfy requirement than wide dynamic range, for example, about 70dB.

Summary of the invention

RF PIP adopts two parallel low-converter sequences, and wherein intermediate-freuqncy signal is separately presented to Parallel Digital transducer independently.This system allows 2 Channel Processing simultaneously.One of them of RF PIP low-converter sequence comprises logarithm radio frequency (RF) detector and linear radio-frequency detector.Adopt known or present equipment disposition, once have only a detector can be routed to the input of digital quantizer by switched circuit.Thereby the present invention proposes to arrange detector and adopt the appropriate software technology effectively to utilize two detectors to obtain the dynamic range of the 70dB of needs simultaneously.

More particularly, in first method or embodiment, when main purpose is that the hardware configuration of well-known RF PIP low-converter remains unchanged when only measuring a pulsed RF signal in the repetition pulse string.Software algorithm is multiplexed to a digital quantizer to each detector, and saving result rebuilds the ON/OFF waveform then.

In second method or embodiment, the hardware configuration of conventional RF PIP low-converter is modified, and carries out parallel processing and reconstruct ON/OFF waveform with the digital quantizer that allows each detector to be routed to simultaneously separately.Modification comprises that the route relay that rearranges RF PIP realizes route simultaneously.This method has been considered to measure pulse or short pulse radiofrequency signal by triggering signal.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 has described the example steps that makes up the synthetic waveform process according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates the synthetic waveform of handling the back generation from the demonstration output signal of logarithmic detector, linear detector with according to the present invention.

Embodiment

A distinguishing feature of the present invention is by the synthetic RF of realization of the output measuring ability that adopts logarithm and linear detector simultaneously, and together with appropriate software, to rebuild the original ON/OFF ratio of detected pulsed RF signal.RF leaked when linear detector was used for the high-sensitivity detection pulse and is in off status.When opening state, linear detector is saturated, and software (also available hardware realization) is ignored the output of linear detector.On the other hand, the output of logarithmic detector is used to detect the state of opening of pulse.In off status, logarithmic detector produces than actual much higher " noise " of radio-frequency leakage amplitude, and also is left in the basket.Suitable algorithm (realizing with software or hardware) comes the real ON/OFF ratio of reconstruct with synthesis mode by the stack and the output of making up two detectors, and this reconstruct occurs in measures the back or carry out in real time.

The radio-frequency detection sensitivity that has two kinds of better hardware configuration to realize expecting.

In first method or embodiment, the hardware configuration of well-known RF PIP low-converter remains unchanged.Multiplexed each detector of software algorithm is a digital quantizer, saving result, reconstruct ON/OFF then/waveform.Go through this embodiment with reference to figure 1.

In second method or embodiment, the hardware configuration of conventional RF PIP low-converter is modified, and carries out parallel processing and reconstruct ON/OFF waveform with the digital quantizer that allows each detector to be routed to simultaneously separately.Go through this embodiment with reference to figure 2.

First embodiment

Fig. 1 has illustrated the hardware configuration according to first embodiment of the invention 1.As shown in the figure,

frequency mixer

11 and 13 receives low band signal and high-frequency band signals from a signal input connector (not shown).Route relay K 8 feed signals are also passed through to frequency mixer in source 15 (as: local oscillator), and K8 also may be a power divider.Be applied to route relay K 7 from the intermediate-freuqncy signal as a result of

frequency mixer

11 or 13 outputs, by adjunct circuit after by route relay K 1 or K2, K7 preferably makes the intermediate-freuqncy signal of each output be multiplexed to one at a time in the single digital quantizer (not shown), and is as described below.

After route relay K 7, selected signal is by low pass filter 17 and high-gain amplifier 19.The output of high-gain amplifier 19 is cut apart, and signal is by two groups of different circuit blocks (being indicated by frame of

broken lines

20a and 20b) like this.Among first group of parts 20a, relay K 6 applies the signal to linear detector 37 or logarithmic detector 41.Amplifier 39 and 43 is separately passed through in the output of detector 37,41, is applied to route relay K 5 then, then to route relay K 4.

Simultaneously, and concurrently, a part of splitting signal of high-gain amplifier 19 is by parts 20b.In these group parts, band pass filter 51 is delivering to the frequency mixer of being presented by signal generator 55 53 from the signal of high-gain amplifier 19 outputs.The output of frequency mixer 53 is applied to route relay K 4 by the output of low pass filter 57,57.Parts 20b not needing to can be used for adopting separately the linearity inspection and the analysis of logarithmic detector occasion.

The output of relay K 4 can be the output of first group of parts 20a or the output of second group of parts 20b, is applied to route relay K 3, and K3 can be used for selecting which is used among route relay K 1 and the K2.Route relay K 1 and K2 determine which is used in two digital quantizer (not shown).

With the configuration of Fig. 1, linear detector 37 or logarithmic detector 41 all can be multiplexed to arbitrary digital quantizer by K5.

Second embodiment

The configuration of equipment and first embodiment are slightly different among second embodiment 2, and difference is: as shown in Figure 2, route relay K 5 changes the position that is placed between route relay K 2 and the K3.According to this second embodiment, the input that detector 37 and 41 output is fed to simultaneously the independent digit transducer that links to each other with K2 with route relay K 1 is possible.

Fig. 3 represents is software algorithm or with the example steps of hard-wired process, is used for realizing the RF detector that synthesizes according to the present invention by making up synthetic waveform.In the first embodiment of the present invention, below described process be to carry out by digital quantizer digitlization and record or after storing from the data of linear detector 37 and logarithmic detector 41.In second kind of embodiment, since two detectors can carry out process shown in Figure 3 to the data in real time of collecting simultaneously by independently digital quantizer supervision.

In preferred the realization, process shown in Figure 3 is to carry out on the general-purpose computing system of the described step of programming realization or dedicated computer system.The programmed method of realizing described process steps is well-known technically.Process starts from step 300, and linear detector 37 and logarithmic detector 41 are delivered to separately digital quantizer.In step 305, collect data.Just, operation RF PIP is to detect low and high frequency band RF signal level.In step 310, adopt well-known transform method that detected signal level is transformed to decibel.Then, in step 315, determine the low and high frequency band conversion of two waveforms.At last,, make up synthetic waveform, if desired, on computer screen, show and observe for the user in step 320.

Fig. 4 illustrates

exemplary signals

61,63,65, represent respectively logarithmic detector expection output, linear detector expection output and according to about the synthetic waveform of the described process of Fig. 3 through digitlization and the generation of synthetic back.The method that is used for generating from the waveform of each selection synthetic waveform is well-known technically.

The selection that should be noted that hardware configuration is preferably based on several standards to be determined, including, but not limited to these several: but favourable processing speed energy measurement pulse or short pulse, its detection of need running simultaneously.

In order to illustrate and to describe, the aforementioned content of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is issued.This does not mean that is exhaustive or invention is restricted to the precise forms of announcement.According to top content, those of ordinary skill in the art understands many variations and the modification of embodiment described here.Scope of the present invention is only limited by claims that invest this and coordinate thereof.

In addition, when describing representative embodiment of the present invention, specification may show as concrete sequence of steps to method of the present invention and/or process.But in this sense, described method or process do not rely on the concrete steps order that proposes here, and described method or process should not be limited on the described concrete steps sequence.To understand as those of ordinary skill in the art, other sequence of steps also is possible.Therefore, the described concrete steps order of specification should not be construed to the restriction to claim.In addition; the claim that relates to method of the present invention and/or process should not be confined to carry out according to the step of write order; and, those skilled in the art will readily understand, under the prerequisite that does not break away from spirit of the present invention and protection range, can make the modification of sequence.

Claims

1. system that is used to detect radiofrequency signal ON/OFF ratio comprises:

Be used to receive from the low-frequency band of signal source and the device of high-frequency band signals;

First group of parts comprises linear detector and logarithmic detector, and described detector separate connection is to the output of the described device that is used to receive;

Second group of parts comprises mixer stage, and the input of wherein said second group of parts is connected to the output of the described device that is used to receive;

The first via is by the output communication of relay and described linear detector and described logarithmic detector;

The secondary route relay and the first via are by the output of relay and the output communication of second group of parts, the secondary route relay is communicated by letter with at least one digital quantizer, wherein, described at least one digital quantizer receives by the handled signal of one at least in first group of parts and the second group of parts device; And

Be used for independently and make up the device of synthetic waveform in the output signal that difference receives from described linear detector and described logarithmic detector constantly.

2. the system as claimed in claim 1, the wherein said device that is used to receive low-frequency band and high-frequency band signals comprises at least one frequency mixer, low pass filter and amplifier.

3. the system as claimed in claim 1, wherein first group of parts also comprises amplifier that is connected to described linear detector and the amplifier that is connected to described logarithmic detector.

4. the system as claimed in claim 1 also comprises Third Road by relay, is connected between secondary route relay and described at least one digital quantizer.

5. the system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said being used for comprises a kind of system that determines the low and high conversion of the output signal that each receives from described linear detector and described logarithmic detector from the device that the output signal that described linear detector and described logarithmic detector receive makes up synthetic waveform.

6. the system as claimed in claim 1, the dynamic range of wherein said system is 70dB at least.

7. the system as claimed in claim 1, the wherein said system integration is in the test box of portable radio-frequency field.

8. system that is used to detect radiofrequency signal ON/OFF ratio comprises:

Be used for receiving the device of low-frequency band and high-frequency band signals from signal source;

First group of parts comprises linear detector and logarithmic detector, and described detector independently connects

Receive the output of the described device that is used to receive;

The first via is by relay, with i) in described linear detector and the described logarithmic detector one output and ii) the output of second group of parts communicate, the first via is communicated by the output of relay and input to first digital quantizer; And

Secondary route relay and i) first via communicates by the output of the another one in the output of relay and ii) described linear detector and the described logarithmic detector, the secondary route relay with the input of second digital quantizer is communicated, wherein the first and second route relay configuration are to make the output of described linear detector and described logarithmic detector be fed to the input of first and second digital quantizers respectively and simultaneously; And

Be used for from what described linear detector and described logarithmic detector were received making up the device of synthetic waveform through the digitized output signal of first and second digital quantizers.

9. system as claimed in claim 8, the wherein said device that is used to receive low-frequency band and high-frequency band signals comprises at least one frequency mixer, low pass filter and amplifier.

10. system as claimed in claim 8, wherein first group of parts also comprises amplifier that is connected to described linear detector and the amplifier that is connected to described logarithmic detector.

11. system as claimed in claim 8 comprises that also the Third Road that is connected between the first and second route relays is by relay.

12. system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said system that is used for comprising the low and high conversion of the output signal of determining that each receives from described linear detector and described logarithmic detector from the device that the output signal that described linear detector and described logarithmic detector receive makes up synthetic waveform.

13. system as claimed in claim 8, the dynamic range of wherein said system is 70dB at least.

14. system as claimed in claim 8, the wherein said system integration is in the test box of portable radio-frequency field.

15. a method that is used to catch and show the ON/OFF ratio of RF signal comprises:

Apply described RF signal to linear detector and logarithmic detector;

The output signal that applies described linear detector to the first via by relay;

The output signal that applies described logarithmic detector is to the secondary route relay;

The described linear detector that passed through the first and second route relays and the output signal of described logarithmic detector are carried out digitlization;

Determine the low and high conversion of digitlization output signal;

From the digitlization output signal, make up synthetic waveform by the low and high conversion of determining the digitlization output signal, and show described synthetic waveform; And

Dispose the first and second route relays, make the output signal of described linearity and logarithmic detector be applied to the input of digital quantizer respectively simultaneously.

16. method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the dynamic range of Huo Deing is at least about 70dB.

17. method as claimed in claim 15 also is included in the step of determining on the computer and making up.

18. method as claimed in claim 15 also comprises the digitlization output transform is decibel.

19. method as claimed in claim 15 also comprises the first via is applied to the Third Road of communicating by letter with the secondary route relay by relay by the output of relay.