DE2445935A1 - Synchronising and balancing system for multichannel processors - divides channel signals into two parts to prevent interfering with processing - Google Patents

Abstract

The synchronising and balancing system for aligning the phases, frequencies and amplitudes of channel signals in multi-channel processors etc., such as in direction finding equipment, has the high frequency signals divided into two equal parts: one part passes to the receiver and the other part to a n-pole switch. The switch connects the signals cyclically through to a reference oscillator for phase and amplitude comparison. The advantage lies in sampling the channel signals so that synchronisation and balancing do not interfere with processing etc. The channel signals may be divided into more than two parts as required.

Description

Method and arrangement for the adjustment of high-frequency channels working in parallel For certain tasks in high frequency measurement technology, for example also for the Operation of multi-channel direction finders are used to process the signals offered or data requires several exactly the same reception channels that the recorded Affect signals in terms of amplitude, frequency and phase in exactly the same way, so that with the amplified and transposed signals in exactly the same way Can be calculated further, as with the antenna voltages themselves.

For example, six-channel direction finders have become known (DEP 1 080 633), which require six individual and exactly the same reception channels to receive the Antenna voltages in the required way for obtaining azimuth and elevation to be able to use the investigated wave radiation.

There are now the various reception channels despite the best pre-comparison Orders and procedures are never completely identical and for long periods of time needed to determine the (complex) gains of the individual channels and allow to align with each other.

These balancing processes, either manually or automatically are based on the fact that one of the channels as a reference or reference channel is determined and compared with each of the other channels in turn. To do this will be the output signals of the reference channel and the channel to be calibrated comparison circuits which, with automatic operation, two the amplitude and phase differences of the two channels generate corresponding control voltages and which become zero, when the alignment is achieved.

The control voltages in turn influence the amplitude and. Ph.a.s. output of the relevant channel. That way are done after Calibration process made all channels the same.

Of course, the calibration takes a certain amount of time, compared to the previous one usual manual operation could be quite considerable, but also with automatic Calibration still has a noticeable size. The measuring process is interrupted during the calibration period, so that, for example, the direction finding of very brief broadcasts is g.es, t.ort can.

According to the invention, a method is now used in which the Recording of the measured variables and. the adjustment. of the channels carried out simultaneously and continuously can be.

For this purpose, both at the entrance of the channels, as well as at their Output coupling-free units (PD) for splitting the signals into two or three decoupled and equivalent outputs arranged. Preferably be passive Switching elements used, which are known per se and in the literature as an energy divider or power dividers (PD's).

In a further embodiment of the inventive 5-according arrangement the units for splitting the signals can also be implemented using active circuits will.

The inventive arrangement is now made so that behind the Signal sources (e.g. antennas) PD's with two outputs are arranged, of which one to the relevant receiving channel and the other to a switch is performed, which applies the signal sources one after the other to the reference channel.

At the output of each channel there is again a PD with preferably three Arranged exits. From these outlets one leads to that unity in which processes the signals (e.g.

in a computer,) or displayed (e.g. Braun tube).

Another output leads via switching devices to differential amplifiers, in which the output voltages of the channels are compared with those of the reference channel will. Finally, the third output of the PD.ts becomes a gain control of all channels used.

In Figs. 1 and 2, the inventive arrangements are for special Applications presented in more detail. 1 shows a more general arrangement with n signal sources and (n + 1) receiving channels, of which the channel with the number (n + 1) used as a separate reference channel - Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of a three-channel receiver, in which one channel can be used either as a reference channel or as an auxiliary antenna channel for determining the side can be used.

In Fig. 1, the signal sources (antennas) are denoted by A1 to A n, each of which is connected to a power splitter PD1. One of the outputs of the Energy eggs are connected to the individual contacts of a switch S1 while the second outputs are connected to the associated receiving channel, of which each over further energy splitter PD2 the display or arithmetic unit AE continuously feeds. In the embodiment shown, there is another channel (n + 1), which is only used as a reference channel and whose input is connected to the scanner of the Switching device S1 is connected, while the output via the switching device S2 is applied to the amplitude and phase discriminators DV. Further switching devices S3 and S4 connect the second outputs of the power splitter PD2 to the second inputs the discriminators DV. All switching devices S1 to S4 work synchronously and are, for example, in a practical version with a matching Realized frequency clocked electronic arrangements.

The differential amplifiers DV give during the dwell time of the switching device as long as control signals regarding amplitude and phase to the assigned receiving channel until it has adjusted to the values of the reference channel.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second Outputs of the energy splitter PD2 constantly with the associated differential amplifiers DV connected, so that the switching devices S3 and S4 are omitted. The Difference amplifier provided with storage devices so that the comparison values of the reference channel stored in quick succession and constantly with the values of the relevant channel can be compared.

The third outputs of the power distributor PD2 of the channels 1 to n are a summing device Su supplied, in which a control voltage is generated, the serves for the basic setting of all channels and an adjustable target level for the Display units guaranteed automatically.

In Fig. 2, the application of the inventive measures on a normal three-channel visual direction finder shown. The two signal sources are here vertically crossed DF antennas PA1 and PA2 as well as the auxiliary antenna HA are available. Furthermore, the two switching devices S1 and 2 are provided, which are manually operated, can be operated by relays or switching diodes.

If S2 remains in the position shown, the receiving channel is used HA as the reference channel, either for controlling the receiving channel CD or after switching S1 to control channel AB. The arrangement serves as a display element according to Fig. 2, the crossed pair of plates of a Braun tube KO.

If S2 is switched, the reference channel is used in conjunction with the Auxiliary antenna HA for determining the side of the bearing display by its output via a suitable phase shifter for dark control of a half-wave to the Wehnelt cylinder the Braun tube is applied.

As in Fig. 1 is a summing circuit Su for generating a Control voltage from the un # 45 ° rotated display voltages available, with which a constant length of the luminous line can be automatically generated on the screen can.

For the operation of the energy divider it is necessary that the outputs always. be completed with the provided matching resistors. For the Outputs that are not required in a certain switching phase are therefore switched provided on load resistors R.

Even with an arrangement according to FIG. 2 with double utilization of the reference channel If suitable storage elements are used, an always laterally correct and device error-free Bearing display can be achieved.

Claims (6)

Claims Arrangement and procedure for the automatic comparison of any number of items High-frequency amplifiers, preferably receiving channels, to the same gain factor and phase response, with one channel serving as a reference receiver for amplitude and phase and compared with one of the other channels in the corresponding switching phases is, characterized in that the inputs of the individual receivers supplied High-frequency energy through a coupling-free, passive or active switching arrangement PD1 is split into two equal parts and one part is constantly assigned to the assigned Recipient,. the other part, however, is fed to an n-pole changeover switch Si, its individual contacts are connected to the reference receiver in a cyclical sequence and that the output energy of each receiving channel is ensured by further coupling-free, passive or active switching arrangements PD2 split into two or three equal parts of which one output is constantly connected to a consumer assigned to the receiver remains connected, so that the consumers of all n channels undisturbed by the temporal successive test and control measures in the intended manner with the remain connected to the assigned signal source. 2. Arrangement and procedure for the automatic adjustment of any many high-frequency channels according to claim 1, characterized in that the second Outputs of the coupling-free switching arrangements PD2 via n-pole changeover switch S3 and S4 are each connected to a comparison circuit DV, the second input of which is connected to the output of the reference channel via switch S2. 3. Arrangement and procedure for the automatic adjustment of any many high-frequency channels according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that in the comparison circuits DV in a known manner the output voltage of the associated receiver with the output voltage of the reference receiver according to the amount and phase is compared and that the channels to be adjusted for setting Amplitude and phase control voltages are supplied until they match according to amount and phase is reached. 4. Arrangement and procedure for the automatic comparison of any number High-frequency channels according to Claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the control voltage generator circuit is provided in the comparison circuits with a memory device that as long as acts until a new comparison cycle begins, which means that switches 53 and S4 are omitted and can be replaced by direct connections. 5. Arrangement and procedure for the automatic adjustment of any many high-frequency channels according to claim 1, 2, 3 round'4, characterized in that that the third outputs of the coupling-free, passive or active switching arrangements PD2 are fed to a summing circuit Su and from there to rectification all receive channels as well as the reference channel for automatic gain control are fed. 6. Arrangement and procedure for the automatic adjustment of any many high-frequency channels according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that that when applying the inventive method to a three-channel visual direction finder the auxiliary antenna channel optionally or in an automatic cycle as a reference channel for calibrating the sub-channels or as a channel for determining the side can be, the side determination for example by dark control one half of the display figure can be done on the screen of a Braun tube.