JP2003069355A - Signal processor and replacement module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal processor that can easily correct dispersion in characteristics of a function unit such as an RF (radio frequency) component. SOLUTION: Characteristics of variable gain amplifiers 1, 4 having particular characteristics are converted into data and EEPROMs 51, 54 store the obtained characteristic data D1, D4 in advance. Then a CPU 30 captures the characteristic data D1, D4 and the CPU 30 produces a control signal resulting from correcting a gain control signal by the arithmetic processing of a correction means 30a. Further, the EEPROMs 51, 54 storing the characteristic data D1, D4 and the variable gain amplifiers 1, 4 are respectively designed to be replacement modules 61, 64. In the case of replacing the variable gain amplifiers 1, 4, each module is replaced in the unit of one set.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signal processing device provided in a transmission / reception section of a radar device and an exchange module used by being exchangeably attached to the device.
In particular, the present invention relates to an improvement in the configuration for correcting the gain and offset level of the RF component included in the high frequency signal processing circuit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Devices for processing high frequency signals such as radar waves are required to have strict performances such as wide band, wide dynamic range and high power. Such equipment uses high frequency (Ra
dio frequency (RF) components are organically combined and configured.

FIG. 3 shows a conventional configuration example of this type of signal processing apparatus. This device is formed by connecting RF components such as a variable gain amplifier 1, a filter 2, a detector 3, and a variable gain amplifier 4. In many cases, the gain characteristics of the variable gain amplifiers 1 and 4 do not ideally change with respect to the gain control signals A and B, and therefore correction circuits 5 and 6 are provided respectively. The correction amount in the correction circuits 5 and 6 is adjusted by the trimmer 7 or the like. A correction circuit is also connected to the filter 2 and the detector 3 as needed.

As shown in FIG. 4, since the gain of the variable gain amplifier 1 is not proportional to the gain control signal A, the gain control signal A corrected by the correction circuit 5 is given to the variable gain amplifier 1 to obtain characteristics close to ideal. Get it. In the figure, the corrected gain control signal is referred to as a control signal. Similarly, the correction circuit 6 corrects the gain control signal B to bring the characteristics of the variable gain amplifier 4 close to ideal. Then both amplifiers 1,
4 are combined and the correction circuits 5 and 6 are further adjusted so that the characteristics of the entire apparatus become ideal.

By the way, since the RF component has a large variation in the operating characteristics and the characteristics may differ from one manufacturing lot to another, the correction circuits 5 and 6 are changed according to the difference in the characteristics.
It is necessary to adjust it. That is, RF due to breakdown
Adjustments are required each time a component is replaced. Moreover, there are often a plurality of adjustment points (such as the trimmer 7) for each RF component, and all of them are adjusted separately, which is troublesome.

Moreover, when the RF component after the replacement is adjusted, it is difficult to completely reproduce the characteristics of the entire device before the replacement, so that the influence of the adjustment also affects other RF components. However, in order to obtain the ideal characteristics of the entire device, it is necessary to work while balancing each adjustment point. Therefore, the adjustment work becomes more complicated and time-consuming.

Further, in recent years, an increasing number of devices have prepared a plurality of systems having the same function and operate these systems in combination. However, with this type of equipment, it is also necessary to adjust the characteristics of the entire system to a desired state while balancing the characteristics between the systems, and the time and effort required for the adjustment work are increasing.

[0008]

As described above, the conventional signal processing device has a drawback that the adjustment work for compensating for the variation in the characteristics of the RF component is complicated. Moreover, when the RF component is replaced, it is necessary to make adjustments to other components as well, which is more troublesome. Furthermore, in equipment equipped with a plurality of processing systems, it is necessary to make adjustments to balance the characteristics between the systems, which requires much more labor and time.

The present invention has been made under the above circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a signal processing device and an exchange module capable of easily correcting variations in characteristics of functional units such as RF components.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a signal processing apparatus according to the present invention is a unit for performing a predetermined process (for example, amplification process) on an input signal to be processed. A function (for example, a gain) relating to its own characteristic processing function (for example, an amplification function) is changed according to a control signal to be provided, and a function having a unique characteristic between the amount representing the control signal and the amount representing the parameter. A unit (for example, an RF component) and a storage means (for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Program) that stores characteristic data obtained by converting the characteristics of the functional unit into data.
mmable ROM)) and a control signal (eg, gain control signal) for controlling the above parameters.
Is given, the control signal is corrected based on the characteristic data stored in the storage means to generate a control signal, and the control signal is given to the functional unit to correct the characteristic of the functional unit. And a correction means for performing the correction.

With such a configuration, the characteristics of the variable gain amplifier, for example, are converted into data in advance and stored in the storage means such as the EEPROM so that the trimmer and the like can be corrected with higher accuracy. When the gain control signal is given, the characteristic of the variable gain amplifier is read from the storage means, and the control for correcting the characteristic of the variable gain amplifier is performed by the arithmetic processing (corresponding to the correcting means) of the CPU (Central Processing Unit). A signal is generated. That is, the functional unit inherently has a characteristic that does not necessarily change ideally with respect to the control signal, but corrects the gain control signal (accurately with the data stored in the storage means) and gives it as the control signal. As a result, the gain control signal can be given a characteristic that it changes ideally.

This makes it possible to almost ideally correct the characteristics of the RF components, which have individual variations. Moreover, since the correction process is automatically performed by the calculation process of the CPU, no human labor is required.

Further, according to the present invention, the functional unit and the storage means for storing the characteristic data of the functional unit are modularized as a set, and the module is provided so as to be replaceable. Therefore, the RF component is exchanged as a set with the storage means storing the characteristic data. That is, by correcting the characteristic of the new RF component based on the characteristic data stored in the new storage means, the ideal characteristic of the RF component before the replacement can be reproduced, so that the readjustment can be done easily. It becomes possible to omit.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a signal processing device according to this embodiment. This signal processing device is realized as a wideband receiving device that includes a plurality of systems of receiving devices 10 and receives wideband radar waves. Each receiving device 10 comprises a plurality of processing blocks 20,
These processing blocks 20 are switched and operated, for example, in preparation for a device failure.

In addition, the signal processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 30 and a digital / analog (D / A) conversion section 40. D / A converter 40 and receiving device 10
Are connected to the CPU via a bus line 50. D /
The A conversion unit 40 converts the arithmetic data of the CPU 30 into analog and gives it to each receiving device 10. The CPU 30 includes a correction unit 30a as its characteristic processing function. The correction unit 30a is realized as a function executed by the CPU 30 under a processing program stored in a storage device such as a hard disk (not shown).

FIG. 2 illustrates the processing block 20 shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. This processing block 20
Includes exchange modules 61 and 64, a filter, and a detector 3. The exchange modules 61 and 64 are processing blocks 2
It is provided interchangeably for 0.

The exchange module 61 includes the variable gain amplifier 1 and the EEPROM 51. EEPROM
In 51, characteristic data D1 in which the characteristic peculiar to the variable gain amplifier 1 is converted into data is stored. Variable gain amplifier 1
The EEPROM 51 and the EEPROM 51 are replaced by one set when the replacement module 61 is replaced.

Similarly, the exchange module 64 is provided with the variable gain amplifier 4 and the EEPROM 54. EE
The PROM 54 stores characteristic data D4 in which the characteristic peculiar to the variable gain amplifier 4 is converted into data. The variable gain amplifier 4 and the EEPROM 54 are replaced by an exchange module 64.
It will be replaced as a set when it is replaced.

The characteristic data D1 and D4 are measured at the time of manufacturing the variable gain amplifiers 1 and 4, and the EEPROM 5 is shipped at the time of shipment.
1, 54 is written.

The EEPROMs 51 and 54 are bus lines 50.
Is connected to the CPU 30 via. The calculation data from the CPU 30 is given to the D / A converter 40 and given to the variable gain amplifiers 1 and 4 as an analog control signal.

When the system is activated in the above configuration, the CPU 30 first reads the characteristic data D1 and D2,
It is stored in a cache memory or the like (not shown). Then, when the gain control signal is given, the correction means 30a refers to the characteristic data D1 and D2 to calculate calculation data for controlling the characteristic of the variable gain amplifiers 1 and 4 to a desired state. This operation data is converted into analog by the D / A converter 40, and given to each variable gain amplifier 1 and 4 as a control signal.

As described above, in this embodiment, the characteristics of the variable gain amplifiers 1 and 4 having unique characteristics are converted into data, and the obtained characteristic data D1 and D4 are stored in the EEPROMs 51 and 54.
To be stored in advance. Then, the characteristic data D1, D4
Is read by the CPU 30 and a control signal obtained by correcting the gain control signal is generated by the arithmetic processing of the correction means 30a. Also, the characteristic data D
The EEPROMs 51 and 54 storing 1 and D4 and the variable gain amplifiers 1 and 4 are modularized into exchange modules 61 and 64, respectively. When the variable gain amplifiers 1 and 4 are replaced, each module is replaced as a set.

As described above, since the characteristic of the RF component is corrected by the arithmetic processing based on the data prepared in advance, it is possible to perform the correct correction without the need for manpower. Moreover, it is not necessary to perform the correction work each time the RF component is replaced, and it is possible to obtain a uniform correction result regardless of the difference in the characteristics of the individual RF components. In addition, the characteristics of the processing blocks 20 having a plurality of systems can be made uniform by reading all the characteristic data D1 and D4 in each processing block 20 and correcting the characteristics of the variable gain amplifiers 1 and 4 of each processing block 20 by arithmetic processing. By doing so, it becomes possible easily. From the above, it becomes possible to easily correct variations in the characteristics of the RF components.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, instead of the EEPROM in FIG. 2, another type of semiconductor memory can be used. However, it is preferable to use this type of non-volatile memory.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the characteristics of the variable gain amplifiers 1 and 4 are corrected has been described. However, it is also possible to correct the pass band characteristics of the filter 2 and the signal processing characteristics of the detector 3. The present invention can be applied. In that case, various characteristics of the filter 2 and the detector 3 may be converted into data and written in the storage unit, and the processing program of the correction unit 30a may be appropriately modified. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0026]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, each functional unit having its own characteristic is provided with a storage means for storing characteristic data in which the characteristic is converted into data, and these can be exchanged as one set. Further, in the present invention, the control signal is generated by the arithmetic processing so as to correct the characteristic of the corresponding functional unit based on the characteristic data stored in the storage means. Since this is done, for example, RF
It is possible to easily correct variations in characteristics of functional units such as components.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a signal processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a processing block 20 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional signal processing device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how the characteristics of variable gain amplifiers 1 and 4 are adjusted.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 4 ... Variable gain amplifier 2 ... Filter 3 ... Detector 51, 54 ... EEPROM 10 ... Receiving device 20 ... Processing block 30 ... CPU 30a ... Correction means 40 ... Digital / analog (D / A) converter 50 ... Bus line 61, 64 ... Exchange module D1, D4 ... Characteristic data

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A unit for performing a predetermined process on an input processed signal, wherein a parameter relating to its characteristic processing function is varied according to a given control signal, and an amount representing the control signal. And a quantity representing the parameter, a functional unit having a unique characteristic, a storage unit for storing characteristic data in which the characteristic of the functional unit is converted into data, and a control signal for controlling the parameter. In this case, a correction unit that corrects the control signal based on the characteristic data stored in the storage unit to generate a control signal, and supplies the control signal to the functional unit to correct the characteristic of the functional unit. A signal processing device comprising: 2. A plurality of signal processing blocks having the functional unit and having a signal response characteristic derived from the characteristics of the functional unit, wherein the storage means is provided for each functional unit of the plurality of signal processing blocks. And storing the characteristic data of the corresponding functional units, wherein the correction unit includes the functional units included in the plurality of signal processing blocks so as to align the signal response characteristics of the plurality of signal processing blocks. The signal processing device according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic of (1) is corrected. 3. The module according to claim 1, wherein the functional unit and the storage means for storing characteristic data of the functional unit are modularized as a set, and the module is provided so as to be replaceable. Signal processing device. 4. An exchange module, which is replaceably attached to a signal processing device for performing a predetermined process on an input processed signal, which is a unit for performing a predetermined process on the processed signal. A parameter relating to its own characteristic processing function is varied according to the control signal to be provided, and a functional unit having a unique characteristic between the quantity representing the control signal and the quantity representing the parameter; An exchange module, comprising: storage means for storing characteristic data obtained by converting the characteristic into data.