JP2004128807A - Radio frequency amplifying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an amplifying device which has a small memory capacity and which can easily perform an assumption of a cause of a fault by solving the problem that a measurer must assume the cause of the fault while the data are correspondingly aligned by storing all data of parameters, such as, I/O signal levels, a gain, a temperature, a power source voltage, etc. in a large capacity memory so as to detect a fault value of the radio frequency amplifying device. <P>SOLUTION: In addition to the above-mentioned parameter measuring system, a real time clock is provided. When a faulted value occurs in the parameter, the fault data are recorded simultaneously at the time of the clock. Even when the temperature, the voltage, the gain, etc., are gradually changed, they are recorded, and data for assuming the cause of the fault are recorded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a configuration having a means for detecting abnormality in an RF amplifier and logging abnormal data obtained thereby.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a wireless RF amplifier according to the related art. 1a is an input-stage amplifier for amplifying a wireless RF signal input from the input terminal 11, 1b is an output-stage amplifier for amplifying the output of the input-stage amplifier 1a and outputting it through the output terminal 12, and 2a 'is the input-stage amplifier 1a. The input level detector 2b 'detects the level of the wireless RF signal input to the controller and outputs the input signal level data to the controller 6. The input level detector 2b' detects the output signal level of the output stage amplifier 1b and outputs the output signal level data to the controller. An output level detector 3 outputs a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the RF amplifier, and outputs a temperature data as a measurement result to the controller 6. A power sensor 4 measures a power supply voltage in the amplifier and outputs a power supply voltage data. Is a power supply voltage detecting unit for outputting the input signal level data of the input level detecting unit 2 a ′, the output signal level data of the output level detecting unit 2 b ′, and the temperature data of the temperature sensor 3. A control unit that inputs data of the voltage data of the power supply voltage detection unit 4 and operates to write the data or all of the above data to the memory 7 when each of the data is out of the specified range; Reference numeral 7 denotes a memory that holds data output from the control unit 6.
[0003]
Usually, a signal of a predetermined input level is amplified by an input stage amplifier 1a and an output stage amplifier 1b, and is amplified to a desired output level and output. The input level detector 2a ', the output level detector 2b', the temperature sensor 3, and the voltage detector 4 constantly monitor the measurement results of these units, and output the data to the control unit 6.
[0004]
Here, when any abnormal state occurs, the control unit 6 determines an abnormal value of each data output from each of the detection units and the temperature sensor, and outputs the abnormal value data or all data to the memory 7. The memory 7 is configured to hold the data.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional technology, even if an abnormal value is detected and the data is stored in the memory 7, the fact that "an abnormal value has been detected" can be confirmed in the subsequent analysis, but it is not enough to analyze the cause. In many cases, it is difficult to distinguish between abnormal values due to external factors and abnormal values due to internal factors. In addition, when all abnormal values and other data at that time are stored in the memory 7, the amount of data increases. There is a problem that the capacity is increased and the cost is increased. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an RF amplifier having a means for investigating the cause of an abnormality without increasing the memory capacity.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to claim 1 of the present invention, an input stage amplifier for inputting, amplifying and outputting a wireless RF signal, and an output for inputting, amplifying and outputting the output of the input stage amplifier A stage amplifier, an input level detection unit that detects a level of the wireless RF signal input to the input stage amplifier, and outputs a level data of an input signal to a control unit, and detects an output level of the output stage amplifier, An output level detection unit that outputs level data of an output signal to the control unit, a temperature sensor that measures internal temperatures of the input stage amplifier and the output stage amplifier, and outputs measured temperature data to the control unit; A voltage detector that measures a power supply voltage of the wireless RF amplifier and outputs measured voltage data to the controller, the temperature data, the voltage data, and the input level detection. An RF comprising: the control unit having a function of outputting as abnormal data when data of the output level detecting unit satisfies a predetermined trigger condition; and a memory for storing abnormal data output from the control unit. In the amplifier, a real-time clock unit for outputting date and time data, and when one or both of the input signal level and the output signal level exceed an allowable limit value, store the time obtained from the real-time clock unit in a memory. Means for detecting a change in each parameter of the amplifier gain, the apparatus temperature, and the apparatus power supply voltage, and stores the changed value of the changed parameter in a memory together with the time obtained from the real-time clock unit. And a configuration of an RF amplification device having means.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. 1a is an input-stage amplifier for amplifying a wireless RF signal from the input terminal 11, 1b is an output-stage amplifier for amplifying the output of the input-stage amplifier 1a and outputting it to the output terminal 12, and 2a is a wireless input to the input-stage amplifier 1a. An input level detection unit 2b for detecting the level of the RF signal and outputting input level data to the control unit 6; an output level detection unit 2b for detecting the output level of the output stage amplifier 1b and outputting the output level data to the control unit 6; Is a temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the amplifying device and outputs temperature data to the control unit 6, 4 is a power supply voltage detection unit that measures a power supply voltage and outputs the measured voltage data to the control unit 6, 5 is a date and time A real-time clock section (RTC) 6 for outputting data includes input level data of the input level detecting section 2a, output level data of the output level detecting section 2b, and temperature of the temperature sensor 3. Data, the power supply voltage data of the voltage detection unit 4 and the date and time data of the real time clock unit 5 are input to the memory 7 when the data of the input level detection unit 2a and the data of the output level 2b satisfy the write condition described later. The control unit 7 that operates to write data is a memory that holds data output from the control unit 6.
[0008]
Normally, the relationship between the input signal level and the output signal level can be expressed by Equations (1) and (2) when each amount is expressed in dB (decibel).
[0009]
B = A + G (1)
G = Ga + Gb (2)
(A: input signal level, B: output signal level, G: initial value of device gain, Ga: gain of input stage amplifier 1a, Gb: gain of output stage amplifier 2b)
Since the gain G of the device is normally constant, G = BA is a constant value. However, when there is a component failure or the like inside the apparatus, the gain G does not take a constant value, but takes a value different from the initial value. Also, when the operation of the interfering device is continued for a long period of time, the phenomenon of gain fluctuation is also caused, though gradually.
[0010]
In addition, the amplifier circuit components constituting the input stage amplifier 1a and the output stage amplifier 1b may be destructed if there is an available power condition and there is an excessive input. Further, the output of the output stage amplifier 1b has a specified value indicating the limit of the output level determined by laws such as the Radio Law, so that even if a failure or the like occurs, the output level should not be higher than a certain value. In addition, it is necessary to constantly monitor the value of the output level B.
[0011]
Therefore, the following conditions are given as trigger conditions for loading data of the abnormal state of the apparatus into the memory 7.
▲ 1 ▼ A> Amax
▲ 2 ▼ B> Bmax
▲ 3 ▼ BA-G
Here, A and B are the input signal level and the output signal level, respectively, Amax is the maximum allowable input level immediately before excessive input, and Bmax is the limit output level that gives a specified value according to the Radio Law. . If the condition (3) changes gradually over a long period of time, the value of the gain G is replaced by G = G 'with BA = G', and the value of G 'exceeds the above-mentioned limit output level Bmax. Monitoring is continued within a range where no change occurs, and the time and the gain G ′ are recorded in the memory 7 each time a change occurs. If this value is equal to or exceeds this value, an alarm is issued or means such as shutting off the circuit power are taken. Here, the value of the temperature sensor 3, the value of the power supply voltage detecting unit 4, and the data of the real-time clock unit 5 are recorded and can be used as reference data for elucidating the cause of the abnormal phenomenon. For each of these data, the initial value is stored in the same manner as the value of the gain G of the above-described device, and when the measured value is different from the initial value, the data is stored together with the time, and the next comparison source is stored. Replace data with stored data. Hereinafter, this operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0012]
2, an input signal level A, which is an input signal of the input level detection unit 2a in FIG. 1, is compared with a maximum allowable input level Amax in a magnitude relationship (step 201). If A ≧ Amax, a factor outside the present apparatus is used. Then, the value of the input signal level A and the time at that time by the real-time clock 5 are written into the memory 7 via step 203 (step 214). If A <Amax, the process proceeds to step 208. If B ≧ Bmax as a comparison result of the output level detection unit 2b, the output is excessive and exceeds the specified value. Then, the data is written into the memory 7 together with the time of the real-time clock 5 at that time (step 214), and the temperature T and the power supply voltage V described later are determined. If B <Bmax, this is within the range of normal operation, and the flow proceeds to the determination of the gain G in step 205.
[0013]
In step 205, the measured value G 'of the device gain is compared with the initial value G. Here, if G ≠ G ′, the changed gain measurement value G ′ is written to the memory 7 together with the current time by the real-time clock 5 via step 206, and at the same time, the initial gain value G serving as a comparison reference is written. Is replaced with the measured value G ′ in step 207, and the subsequent comparison operation in step 205 is executed. After the replacement process of G = G ′ in step 207, the process proceeds to the determination of the temperature T and the voltage V described later. On the other hand, if G = G ′, that is, if there is no change in the gain, it indicates that there is no abnormality in the amplifying device, and the process returns to the start and waits for the next measurement.
The determination of the temperature T and the voltage V is performed as follows. That is, in step 208, if the measured value T 'of the temperature sensor 3 is equal to the initial value T serving as the comparison reference (T = T'), the state is determined to be normal, and the process proceeds to the next step of determining the power supply voltage V. If T ′ ≠ T, the value of T ′ is written to the memory 7 in step 214 together with the current time data indicated by the real-time clock 5 via step 210, and is used as a reference value for subsequent determination. The value of the temperature initial setting value T to be replaced is replaced with T ', and the process proceeds to the next power supply voltage determination (step 211). Similarly, in the determination of the power supply voltage V, similarly to the determination of the temperature T, the measured power supply voltage value V ′ is compared with the initial setting value V in step 211. Here, if V = V ', the device is in a normal operation state, and thus a series of operation state checks is terminated. If V ≠ V ′, the measured value T ′ is written into the memory 7 together with the time indicated by the real-time clock 5 via step 213 (step 214). At the same time, the value of V serving as a criterion in step 211 is replaced with V ′, which is used as a subsequent criterion. In the above process, the judgment criteria are replaced by T = T 'for the temperature and V = V' for the power supply voltage until the design value of the maximum device temperature, the allowable power supply voltage range and the output signal level B exceed the maximum allowable value. Continued repeatedly.
[0014]
By examining the interrelationship of the data fetched into the memory 7 as described above, it is possible to determine whether the cause of the abnormality is external or internal. For example, when the input signal level A ′ is excessive and the instruction from the temperature sensor 3 is large, it can be determined that the input is excessive and that the external sensor is used. When the input signal level A 'and the output signal level B' are both normal and the device gain G is large or the power supply voltage V is large, and when the instruction from the temperature sensor 3 is large, it can be determined that the cause is an internal factor.
In step 214, when the changes in the gain G, the temperature T, and the power supply voltage V are recorded, when these changes reach an abnormal value, that is, when the changes reach the above-mentioned maximum rated value, they are recorded in a memory. It is also possible to add a visual or audible alarm mechanism.
[0015]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily determine whether an abnormal value of a device is caused by an external factor or an internal factor. In addition, by holding data using the abnormal value and a change point of data such as temperature and power supply voltage at that time as a trigger, even if not all data is held, other data when the data is held can be determined. As a result, a large amount of data can be held with a small memory capacity, so that a cost increase due to an increase in the memory capacity can be avoided.
[0016]
The present invention is particularly effective for an RF amplifier such as a mobile phone.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional technique.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1a: input stage amplifier 1b: output stage amplifier 2a, 2a ': input level detection circuit 2b, 2b': output level detection circuit 3: temperature sensor 4: voltage detection circuit 5: real time clock (RTC)
6: control unit 7: memory

Claims (1)

An input stage amplifier for inputting and amplifying and outputting a radio RF signal, an output stage amplifier for inputting and amplifying and outputting the output of the input stage amplifier, and a level of the radio RF signal input to the input stage amplifier And an input level detection unit that outputs level data of the input signal to the control unit, and an output level detection unit that detects the output level of the output stage amplifier and outputs level data of the output signal to the control unit. A temperature sensor that measures the internal temperatures of the input stage amplifier and the output stage amplifier and outputs the measured temperature data to the control unit, and measures the power supply voltage of the wireless RF amplifier, and measures the measured voltage data. A voltage detection unit that outputs to the control unit, the temperature data, the voltage data, and data of the input level detection unit and the output level detection unit are stored in a predetermined trigger condition. It said control unit having a function of outputting an abnormal data when filled with, the RF amplifier and a memory for storing the abnormality data which is the output of the control unit,
A real-time clock section for outputting date and time data,
Means for storing a time obtained from the real-time clock unit in a memory when one or both of the input signal level and the output signal level exceed an allowable limit value,
Means for detecting changes in parameters of amplifier gain, device temperature, and device power supply voltage;
Means for storing, in a memory, a changed value of the changed parameter together with a time obtained from the real-time clock unit.

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