EP4620113A1

EP4620113A1 - Amplified portable transceiver apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4620113A1
Application number: EP23813478.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Enrico GHEZZO; Antonello Giovannelli
Original assignee: Elettronica Marittima Srl
Current assignee: Elettronica Marittima Srl
Priority date: 2022-11-18
Filing date: 2023-11-17
Publication date: 2025-09-24
Also published as: WO2024105634A1

Abstract

The amplified portable transceiver apparatus, for use in SATCOM radio communications, comprising an amplified antenna (101) and a sealed box-shaped container (50). The amplified antenna (101) comprises a radiating element (1), an electronic driver circuit (2) of the radiating element (1), and signal connecting means (3), aimed at physically connecting the apparatus (101) to a transceiver apparatus. The electronic driver circuit (2) comprises: a transmission power RF amplifier device (21); a low noise, high gain RF amplifier device for receiving (22); a first two-way controlled switch (23) and a second two-way controlled switch (24) for automatically switching the amplified antenna (101) between transmitting and receiving modes. In addition, power input RF detectors (25) are provided to detect the presence of an input power signal to said apparatus (100) to control, accordingly, the automatic switching of the antenna (101).

Description

AMPLIFIED PORTABLE TRANSCEIVER APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical field relating to transceiver antennas for professional use for SATCOM (satellite) communications.

In particular, the invention relates to a stand-alone amplified portable transceiver apparatus, comprising a double cross dipole antenna and a special sealed container, particularly suitable for use in complex and rapidly changing environmental and electromagnetic visibility conditions; situations which are encountered, for example, in the military field, during field operations characterised by high mobility of vehicles and people. The apparatus proposed by the invention is particularly, though not exclusively, suitable for use in combination with portable or transportable transceiver radio apparatuses supplied to military personnel in the field and on rapidly moving vehicles.

BACKGROUND ART

In radio communication systems suitable for the above environments and situations, it is well known to use antennas which can be kept separate from the respective transceiver apparatus, and can be quickly connected to the apparatus and made operational by the military use. There are also known antennas of the same type which are mechanically adapted to be installed outside an operational vehicle, such as an armoured vehicle or other.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

In any case, in the above described uses, given the inherent shortcomings, for example, in war operations, or in any high mobility situation, it is very likely that it will be difficult for the user to correctly position the antenna, or that he will find himself in a situation in which he cannot seek a location with perfect visibility, or the communication takes place on the move. These situations can also change very quickly over time, but the user must still be sure to always have an active connection or, in any case, the highest possible signal quality while transmitting and receiving.

It should also be considered that the power of the signal actually emitted by the antenna may depend on several factors: first of all, the power amplifiers of various transceivers, especially the portable ones, may deliver rather low power; furthermore, the actual power at the antenna input may be reduced by the length of the cable connecting it to the transceiver or any mechanical or electrical problems with the connectors, etc.

In any case, there is the need to always have the maximum sensitivity in reception and the maximum power in transmission available, constant and reliable, independently from the operating conditions and of the quality of the signal, received by the antenna, to be transmitted to the transceiver apparatus, and of the power signal received by the latter.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the invention is to propose a portable transceiver apparatus, aimed at being connected to the input and output of a transceiver apparatus, which is versatile and suitable for use in critical situations that require extreme performance, reliability and robustness, and assures high transmission power in any situation and is capable of maximising the sensitivity and quality in the signal-to-noise ratio in reception.

Another object of the invention is to propose a portable transceiver that can be made immediately operative in the field, and which does not require any user intervention, neither in assembling parts nor in setting up or calibration.

A further object of the invention is to propose a portable transceiver apparatus, which can be rapidly and removably installed on a military vehicle, even if it is not arranged for housing antennas in a stable manner, while maintaining its characteristics of power in transmission and sensitivity in reception.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects are fully achieved by an amplified portable transceiver apparatus, for use in SATCOM radio communications, comprising an automatically switching amplified antenna and a special sealed housing. The antenna in turn comprises a radiating element, aimed at receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals, an electronic circuit for driving the radiating element, and signal connecting means, aimed at physically connecting the antenna to a transceiver apparatus.

The electronic driver circuit comprises: an power RF amplifier device for transmission; a low noise, high gain RF amplifier device for receiving; a first electrically controlled two-way switch, connected to the radiating element and having respective first and second switched outputs connected to an output of the power RF amplifier and to an input of the low noise RF amplifier, respectively; a second electrically controlled two-way switch connected to the connecting means and having respective first and second switched outputs connected to an input of the power RF amplifier and to an output of the low-noise RF amplifier, respectively.

Moreover, RF power input detector means are also provided for detecting the presence of an input power signal on the antenna to control, accordingly, automatic switching of the antenna between receiving and transmitting modes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the proposed invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the amplified portable transceiver apparatus, in accordance with the content of the claims and with the help of the enclosed drawings, in which:

- figure 1 is a block diagram of the structure of a transceiver antenna, being part of the apparatus made according to the invention;

- figure 2 is a perspective, partially cutaway view of the apparatus;

- figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus of figure 2;

- figure 4 is a different side view of the apparatus of figure 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the reference number 100 indicates an amplified portable transceiver apparatus as a whole made according to the present invention and designed to be used in SATCOM radio communications.

The apparatus 100 is intended to operate in association with an RF (radio frequency) transceiver apparatus, not shown. The apparatus may be portable, for example of the type supplied to soldiers of special teams or more generally of infantry, to allow them to communicate with the base or with other comrades in arms during battlefield operations; it may also be a transceiver apparatus permanently installed on a vehicle, for land, sea or air operations, in any case wherever it is necessary to have highly reliable transmission and reception of communications. The RF transceiver apparatus that can be associated with the apparatus 100 is generally capable of providing, at its connector, an output power RF signal to be fed into the antenna and of receiving, at the same connector, an input RF signal coming from the same apparatus 100. The electrical connection between the latter and the RF apparatus is obtained by means of a suitable high-frequency cable with a predetermined impedance (usually 50 Ohm).

First, the apparatus 100 comprises an amplified antenna 101 aimed at operating alternatively according to a first receiving mode and according to a second transmitting mode, and comprises a radiating element 1 , intended for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals, which in the example shown schematically in the figure comprises a double crossed dipole, aimed at producing an omnidirectional radiation pattern.

The amplified antenna 101 further comprises an electronic driver circuit 2 of the radiating element 1 , electrically connected to the latter, and signal connecting means 3, electrically connected to the driver circuit 2 in a manner that will be detailed below and intended to physically connect the amplified antenna 101 to the aforementioned RF transceiver apparatus. The connecting means may be of any commercially available type suitable for radio frequency connections and may possibly be aimed at carrying the power supply of the amplified antenna 101 , as will be further detailed below.

According to the invention, the electronic driver circuit 2 comprises an power RF amplifier device 21 , having a circuit configuration known to the person skilled in the art and intended, when the amplified antenna 101 operates in the aforesaid second transmitting mode, to further amplify an power RF signal provided by the transceiver apparatus and carry it towards the radiating element 1 to be radiated. The presence of the power amplifier 21 enables the amplified antenna 101 to emit a constant and verifiable minimum RF power, independently from the power of the RF signal emitted at the output of the transceiver apparatus and its quality.

The drive circuit 2 further comprises a low noise, high gain RF amplifier device 22, also having a known circuit configuration and intended, when the amplified antenna 101 operates in the aforementioned first receiving mode, to detect the RF signal captured by the radiating element and pre-amplify it, with low noise, so as to bring it to the input to the transceiver apparatus via the connecting means 3 having high signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio.

A first two-way switch 23 and a second two-way switch 24, of the type operable by a command provided by an electrical signal, are also included in the circuit 2 and are intended to switch the operating mode of the amplified antenna 101 alternately between the aforementioned first receiving mode and second transmitting mode.

The first switch 23 has its input 23a electrically connected to the radiating element 1 and its first switched output 23b and second switched output 23c connected to an output 21 b of the power RF amplifier 21 and to an input 22a of the low-noise RF amplifier 22, respectively.

The second switch 24 has its input 24a electrically connected to the aforementioned connecting means 3 and its switched first output 24b and second output 24c connected to an input 21a of the power RF amplifier 21 and to an output 22b of the low-noise RF amplifier 22, respectively.

Power input RF detector means 25 are also provided, interposed between the signal connecting means 3 and the aforementioned second switch 24, for detecting the presence of an input power signal to the amplified antenna 101 , provided by the aforementioned transceiver apparatus. The detector means 25, the circuit configuration of which is also known to the skilled technician, are provided with a control output 25a, electrically connected to corresponding control inputs 23d, 24d of the first switch 23 and second switch 24 to control the automatic switching of the first switch 23 and second switch 24, depending on the presence of an input power signal on the line, so as to prepare the aforementioned amplified antenna 101 , alternatively, for the transmission and for the reception of RF signals.

The amplified antenna 101 further includes supply means 4, aimed at supplying power to the above-mentioned power amplifiers 21 and low-noise amplifiers 22. Preferably, power is supplied to the amplified antenna 101 from outside, whereby the power supply means 4 simply comprise a suitable power connector, which may be physically independent from the above-described signal connector 3 or incorporated therein. In the latter case, the same cable is intended to carry both the RF signal connection and the power supply to the amplified antenna 101.

According to a different embodiment, the power supply means 4 comprise a set of batteries and related driver circuitry, aimed at being recharged from outside by means of a suitable recharging connector, in a known manner.

In order to improve the versatility of the amplified antenna 101 , it further comprises a pair of electrically controlled bypass switches, first 5 and second 6, interposed between the radiating element 1 and the first two-way switch 23, and between the signal connector 3 and the second two-way switch 24, respectively. The aforesaid bypass switches 5,6 have respective control inputs 5a, 6a connected to the above-described power connector 4 and, in the absence of supply voltage, they are aimed at directly connecting the radiating element 1 to the signal connector 3, thereby excluding the drive circuit 2. In this way, the amplified antenna 101 can operate in an unamplified mode, which is useful, for example, when the RF power output from the transceiver apparatus is sufficient and reliable, and the received signal being detected is likewise sufficient and reliable.

In the presence of supply voltage, the bypass switches 5,6 are switched to a position enabling the aforementioned driver circuit 2 situated between the aforementioned radiating element 1 and signal connecting means 3, to allow the antenna 101 to operate in its preferred amplified antenna mode.

In order to allow both easy portability and perfect and immediate adaptability for use in the field, either by an individual soldier or on an operational vehicle, as well as to maximise the performance of the power amplifier section, the amplified antenna 101 is advantageously enclosed within a closed, liquid-tight, box-shaped container 50 (see Figures 2, 3 and 4). In the shown illustrative and non-limiting embodiment, the latter has a square cross-section, with squared edges, and is dimensioned so as to contain the radiating element 1 of the amplified antenna 101 in a precise fit, with its crossed dipoles extending towards the squared edges.

The box-shaped container 50 comprises, in particular, a base 51 , side walls 52 and a cover 53, removable or hinged to the side walls 52, aimed at allowing access to the amplified antenna 101 for periodic inspection or maintenance operations.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base 51 is composed of a plate 60, made of heat conducting material, for example aluminium or an alloy thereof, and comprising fins 63 aimed at improving the heat dissipation of the plate 60 on an outer face.

Coupling means 55 are attached to the outer face 62 in proximity to the aforementioned squared edges. The coupling means are aimed at removably attaching the apparatus 100 to a vehicle or, for use in the field, to serve as ground support feet for the same apparatus 100.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling means 55 include a plurality of permanent magnets, for example neodymium magnets, by means of which the apparatus 100 can be immediately and reliably attached to an external metal surface of a vehicle, for example an armoured vehicle.

Alternative embodiments of the coupling means 55, which are not illustrated as readily understood, may comprise perforated brackets that allow them to be bolted to suitably provided threaded housings, or joints or other known coupling means to bars previously fitted to vehicles.

A housing 56 for a signal connector 3 is provided in a side wall 52 of the box-shaped housing 50. Another housing may optionally be provided for a power connector.

A handle 57 is also fixed to a different side wall 52, aimed at allowing easy transport of the apparatus 100.

The electronic driver circuit 2, installed on a printed circuit board 2a, is conveniently housed at the bottom of the housing 40, at an inner face 61 of the base plate 60. The printed circuit board 2a, or the power components of the circuit 2, are advantageously kept in contact with the base plate 60, so as to take advantage of its high thermal conductivity to dissipate the heat produced by the aforementioned power components and allow them to always operate at maximum performance while maintaining optimal operating temperatures.

In an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus 100, the electronic driver circuit 2 is also electrically connected to the base plate 60, in such a way as to make the latter act as the ground plane of the amplified antenna 101.

Finally, the entire base plate is made articulated to the liquid-tight side walls 52 of the container 50 to allow easier access to the driver circuit 2.

In a further variant, the electronic driver circuit 2, in part or in its entirety, may also be advantageously installed on one of the side walls 52. In this case, a dissipation plate installed on the same side wall may be provided, either in addition thereto or as in substitution thereof.

The above described portable transceiver apparatus 100 allows the amplified antenna 101 contained therein to be advantageously operated in both receiving and transmitting modes, so as to always ensure high and constant transmission power and maximum sensitivity and an excellent S/N ratio in reception, regardless of the characteristics of the transceiver apparatus to which it is connected.

The amplified antenna 101 also allows for fully automatic operation as described above, without the necessity of user intervention in any of the intended modes of operation.

A further advantage of the apparatus 100 derives from the active function of the box-shaped container 50, both with respect to the dissipation of the heat produced by the power components of the driver circuit 2, and with respect to the possibility of operating simultaneously as a ground plane of the antenna 101 , and therefore as an active component thereof.

The compact configuration of the antenna, which can be easily transported and quickly installed on a military vehicle also makes the apparatus 100 particularly useful in areas with a large vehicle fleet, and where it is advisable or necessary to have a limited number of apparatus 100 available. In this case, an apparatus 100 may be kept available and immediately installed in a vehicle in which a high and reliable radio communication capability is required, at the time of its use.

However, it is understood that what is described above is illustrative and not limiting, whereby any variation of details that may be necessary for technical and/or functional reasons are to be considered to fall within the protective scope defined by the claims below.

Claims

CLAIMS Amplified portable transceiver apparatus for use in SATCOM radio communication, that can be associated with the transceiver apparatus aimed at providing, at its connector, an output power RF signal to be input into said apparatus (100) and at receiving, at the same connector, an input RF signal from said apparatus (100), the latter comprising an amplified antenna (101 ), aimed at operating alternatively according to a first receiving mode and according to a second transmitting mode, and, in turn, comprising at least one radiating element (1 ), of the double crossed dipole type, aimed at receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals, an electronic driver circuit (2) of said radiating element (1 ), electrically connected to the latter, signal connecting means (3), electrically connected to said driver circuit (2) and aimed at physically connecting said apparatus (100) to a transceiver apparatus; a box-shaped container (50), aimed at housing said amplified antenna (101 ); said apparatus (100) being characterized in that said electronic driver circuit (2) of said amplified antenna (101 ) comprises: a power RF amplifier device (21 ); a low noise, high gain RF amplifier device (22); a first electrically controlled two-way switch (23), having its input (23a) connected to said radiating element (1 ) and its first switched output (23b) and second switched output (23c) connected to an output (21 b) of said power RF amplifier (21 ) and to an input (22a) of said low noise RF amplifier (22), respectively; a second electrically controlled two-way switch (24), having its input (24a) connected to said connecting means (3) and its first switched output (24b) and second switched output (24c) connected to an input (21a) of said power RF amplifier (21 ) and to an output (22b) of said low-noise RF amplifier (22), respectively; input power RF detecting means (25), electrically connected to said signal connecting means (3) for detecting the presence of a power signal input to said antenna (100) produced by said transceiver apparatus in order to control, as a consequence, the automatic switching of said first switch (23) and second switch (24), so as to prepare said apparatus (100), alternatively, for the transmission and for the reception of RF signals; supply means (4) aimed at supplying power to said power amplifiers (21) and low-noise power amplifiers (22); said box-shaped housing (50) being totally enclosed, watertight and provided with coupling means (55) aimed at removably attaching the housing to the external surface of a vehicle.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that said power supply means (4) comprise a set of batteries and respective driver circuitry, aimed at being recharged from outside.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that said power supply means (4) comprise a power connector, aimed at receiving a suitable flow of electric current from outside, mounted independently of said signal connecting means (3).

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that said power supply means (4) comprise a power connector, aimed at receiving a suitable flow of electric current from outside, incorporated in said signal connecting means (3).

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that it further comprises a pair of electrically controlled first (5) and second (6) bypass switches interposed between said radiating element (1) and said first two-way switch (23), and between said signal connector (3) and said second two-way switch (24), respectively; said by-pass switches (5,6) operating, in the absence of supply voltage, on said power supply means (4), to directly connect said radiating element (1 ) to said signal connecting means (3), thereby excluding said drive circuit (2); the same bypass switches (5,6) having respective first control input (5a) and second control input (6a) connected to the output of said power supply means (4) for detecting the presence of supply voltage and consequently switching said power supply means (4) to an insertion position of said driver circuit (2) between said radiating element (1 ) and said signal connecting means (3).

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that said boxshaped container (50) comprises a base (51 ), a structure of side walls (52) and a removable cover (53), said base (51) comprising a plate (60) of heat-conducting material, said electronic drive circuit (2) of the amplified antenna (101 ) being fixed in contact with an inner face (61 ) of said plate (60) to facilitate the dispersion outwards of the heat generated by said electronic drive circuit (2).

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that an outer face (62) of said plate (60) is provided with fins (63) of heat conducting material.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 o to claim 7, characterized in that said plate (60) is electrically connected to said electronic driver circuit (2) to operate as a ground plane of said amplified antenna (101 ).

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that said coupling means (55) comprise a plurality of permanent magnets (56), mounted in a base (51 ) of said box-shaped container (50) and aimed at enabling said apparatus (100) to be quickly attached to and removed from the external surface of a vehicle or another metal surface.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that it further comprises a handle (57), fixed to a side wall (52) of said boxshaped container (50).