JP2006242686A - High-frequency transmitter/receiver, radar apparatus with same, vehicle mounted with same, and small vessel mounted with radar apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To satisfactorily cut off the output of undesired intermediate-frequency signals containing noise to a reception system in a transient state in which high-frequency signals for transmission are switched. <P>SOLUTION: This high-frequency transmitter/receiver provided with a high-frequency oscillator 1; a changeover RF switch 8'; a second changeover RF switch 8"; a transmitting/receiving antenna 5; a mixer 6; and an amplifier 7 is provided with switches 7a and 7b connected to a power line of the amplifier 7 for turning off a power source of the amplifier 7 in an open state and turning on the power source of the amplifier 7 in a closed state when high-frequency signals RFt for transmission are stabilized in a non-output state. Since intermediate-frequency signals containing noise do not leak to a subsequent stage of the mixer 6 by the high-frequency signals RFt for transmission mixed in the mixer 6, it is possible to output desired intermediate-frequency signals. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a high-frequency transmitter / receiver used in a millimeter-wave radar module, a millimeter-wave wireless communication device, etc., and a part of a high-frequency signal for transmission leaks to the receiving side, and an intermediate frequency signal as noise corresponding thereto is The present invention relates to a high-frequency transmitter / receiver having a switch capable of blocking output to a receiving system, a radar apparatus including the same, a radar apparatus-equipped vehicle equipped with the same, and a radar apparatus-equipped small ship.

  Conventionally, for example, a pulse modulation method disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a method of a high-frequency transceiver that is expected to be applied to a millimeter-wave radar module, a millimeter-wave wireless communication device, or the like.

  However, in the pulse modulation method, a part of the pulse-modulated millimeter-wave signal for transmission is output as an unnecessary signal to the reception system due to internal reflection of the high-frequency transmitter / receiver, which adversely affects reception performance. was there.

  The present inventor has already proposed a solution to this problem (see Patent Document 2). Examples of the configuration are shown in plan views in FIGS. Note that the basic configuration of the non-radiative dielectric line used in the examples of these configurations is as shown in a partially broken perspective view in FIG. 6, with an interval a that is less than or equal to half the wavelength of the high-frequency signal. The dielectric line 43 is sandwiched between the parallel plate conductors 41 and 42 arranged.

  The high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the example shown in FIG. 7 is an example in which a transmission antenna and a reception antenna are integrated, and parallel plates arranged at intervals of 1/2 or less of the wavelength of a millimeter wave signal that is a high-frequency signal. Between the conductors 51 (one is not shown), it is attached to the first dielectric line 53, and the high frequency signal output from the high frequency diode is frequency-modulated and propagated through the first dielectric line 53 as a millimeter wave signal. A pulse modulator (not shown) interposed between the millimeter wave signal oscillating unit 52 and the first dielectric line 53 to pulse the millimeter wave signal and output it from the first dielectric line 53 as a millimeter wave signal for transmission. (Not shown) and a part of a millimeter-wave signal for transmission that is arranged close to the first dielectric line 53 so that one end side is electromagnetically coupled, or one end is joined to the first dielectric line 53 Second dielectric wire that propagates to the mixer 59 side 58 and a first connection portion 54a and a second connection portion, which are arranged at predetermined intervals on the peripheral portion of the ferrite plate arranged in parallel to the parallel plate conductor 51, and are used as input / output ends of millimeter wave signals, respectively. A circulator 54 having a 54b and a third connecting portion 54c and outputting a millimeter wave signal inputted from one connecting portion from another connecting portion adjacent in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction within the plane of the ferrite plate. The circulator 54 is connected to the output terminal of the millimeter wave signal of the first dielectric line 53, and the circulator 54 is connected to the second connection part 54b of the circulator 54 to propagate the millimeter wave signal. And is connected to the third dielectric line 55 having the transmitting / receiving antenna 56 at the front end and the third connecting part 54c of the circulator 54, and is received by the transmitting / receiving antenna 56 and propagates through the third dielectric line 55. The second connection 54b through the second connection 54b. The fourth dielectric line 57 for propagating the reception wave output from c to the mixer 59, the middle of the second dielectric line 58, and the middle of the fourth dielectric line 57 are brought close to each other so as to be electromagnetically coupled. Or a mixer 59 that mixes or joins a part of a millimeter wave signal for transmission and a received wave to generate an intermediate frequency signal. In this example, a switching control unit (not shown) that opens the output terminal when the pulse-modulated millimeter-wave signal for transmission is output from the pulse modulator is provided at the output terminal of the mixer 59. This prevents unnecessary signals from being output to the receiving system after the mixer 59 almost simultaneously with the input of the pulsed signal for starting the pulsed operation of the pulse modulator to the pulse modulator. Can do.

  The high-frequency transmitter / receiver in the example shown in FIG. 8 is an example in which a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna are independent from each other, and parallel plate conductors arranged at intervals of 1/2 or less of the wavelength of a millimeter-wave signal that is a high-frequency signal. Between 61 (one is not shown), it is attached to the first dielectric line 63, and the high frequency signal output from the high frequency diode is frequency-modulated and propagated through the first dielectric line 63 as a millimeter wave signal. A pulse modulator (shown in the figure) interposed between the millimeter wave signal oscillating unit 62 and the first dielectric line 63 to pulse the millimeter wave signal and output it from the first dielectric line 63 as a millimeter wave signal for transmission. And one end of the first dielectric line 63 is disposed close to the first dielectric line 63 so as to be electromagnetically coupled, or one end is joined to the first dielectric line 63, and a part of the millimeter-wave signal for transmission is transmitted. Second dielectric line 6 propagating to the mixer 71 side 8 and a first connection part 64a and a second connection part which are arranged at predetermined intervals on the periphery of the ferrite plate arranged in parallel to the parallel plate conductor 61 and are used as input / output ends of millimeter wave signals, respectively. A circulator 64 having a 64b and a third connecting portion 64c and outputting a millimeter wave signal inputted from one connecting portion from another connecting portion adjacent in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction in the plane of the ferrite plate; A millimeter wave for transmission is connected to a circulator 64 having a first connection portion 64a connected to the output end of the millimeter wave signal of the first dielectric line 63 and a second connection portion 64b of the circulator 64. A received wave received by the receiving antenna 70 that propagates a signal and has a third dielectric line 65 having a transmitting antenna 66 at the tip, a receiving antenna 70 at the tip, and a mixer 71 at the other end. A fourth dielectric line 69 to propagate, and a circular A fifth dielectric line 67 connected to the third connection portion 64c of the data base 64 and attenuating the millimeter wave signal mixed by the transmission antenna 66 at its tip, and a second dielectric line 67 Part of a millimeter-wave signal that propagates a received wave received by a receiving antenna 70, which is made close to or joined to the middle of the body line 68 and the middle of the fourth dielectric line 69 so as to be electromagnetically coupled. And a mixer 71 for generating an intermediate frequency signal by mixing the received wave and the received wave. In this example, the output end of the mixer 71 is provided with a switching control unit (not shown) that opens the output end when a pulse-modulated millimeter-wave signal for transmission is output from the pulse modulator. Thus, almost simultaneously with the input of the pulsed signal for starting the pulsed operation of the pulse modulator to the pulse modulator, the unnecessary signal mixed directly from the transmitting antenna 66 to the receiving antenna 70 is placed after the mixer 71. Can be prevented from being output to the receiving system.

  FIG. 9 is a block circuit diagram showing the configuration of each part when the high-frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 7 is used as a millimeter wave radar.

  In FIG. 9, reference numeral 111 denotes a VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) having a Gunn diode and a varactor diode, which operates by inputting a signal to the IN-2 terminal for inputting the modulation signal. The output signal of the VCO 111 is pulse modulated by the pulse modulator 112 by inputting the pulsed signal input to the IN-1 terminal to the pulse modulator 112. This pulse modulator 112 is interposed in the middle of the first dielectric line 53 in FIG. 7, and is a switch (RF switch) whose configuration is shown in a perspective view in FIG.

  In the configuration of the pulse modulator shown in FIG. 10, a choke-type bias supply line 90 is formed on one main surface of the wiring board 88, and is solder-mounted between connection electrodes 81 and 81 formed in the middle thereof. This is a switch provided with a beam lead type PIN diode or a Schottky barrier diode 80. Such a switch is installed between the end face of the first dielectric line 53 so that the PIN applied voltage or the Schottky barrier diode 80 is in the horizontal direction. used.

  113 is a circulator that transmits a millimeter wave signal to the antenna 114 side during transmission and a reception wave is transmitted to the mixer 115 side during reception, 114 is an antenna for transmitting and receiving millimeter wave signals, and the antenna 114 is the circulator 113 For example, a horn antenna or the like connected to a metal waveguide or a dielectric waveguide filled with a dielectric to the metal waveguide. Reference numeral 115 denotes a mixer that outputs an intermediate frequency signal for detecting a distance to the target and the like by mixing the millimeter wave signal output from the VCO 111 and the reception signal received by the antenna 114.

  Reference numeral 116 denotes a switch as a switch for blocking or passing the intermediate frequency signal output from the mixer 115. Reference numeral 119 denotes a controller that controls the opening / closing (on-off) timing of the switch 116. The switch 116 and the control unit 119 constitute a switching control unit.

  The control unit 119 receives the pulsed signal of the IN-1 terminal so as to be interlocked with the pulse modulator 112, and the transmission millimeter wave signal pulse-modulated by the pulse modulator 112 is converted into the NRD guide and the dielectric conductor. The switching timing is such that the signal is reflected by the connection with the wave tube or leaked from the circulator 113 and output as an unnecessary signal via the mixer 115 to be input to the amplifier 118 before being cut off by the switch 116. To control.

  Reference numeral 117 denotes a capacitor for AC coupling between the switch 116 and the amplifier 118.

With the above configuration, the pulse-modulated millimeter-wave signal for transmission can be blocked so that it does not leak into the mixer 115 and leak to the receiving system at the subsequent stage, so that the detection accuracy of the millimeter-wave radar system can be improved.
JP 2000-258525 A JP 2002-328161 A

  However, even in the configuration proposed in Patent Document 2, as a result of repeated studies by the present inventors to further improve the performance of the high-frequency transmitter / receiver, the following problems have been found that further improvement is desired.

  In general, the pulse modulator 112 using a high-frequency diode has characteristics unique to the high-frequency diode such as a zero-bias capacity. Therefore, even if an ideal pulse signal for driving is input, ringing noise is generated in the modulation current. Such distortion may occur to a greater or lesser extent. Also, the drive pulse signal itself may have the same or more similar distortion. For these reasons, a certain period of time is required until the output intensity of the millimeter wave signal output from the pulse modulator 112 is stabilized in a steady state within one period of the signal. As a result, after the signal of the IN-1 terminal is opened (off) and the output of the millimeter wave signal is opened (off), the fluctuation in the output intensity of the millimeter wave signal remains, and this is unnecessary. There is a problem in that it is output to the mixer 115 as (noise) and interferes with a signal that should be detected, thereby degrading the radar detection performance.

  The present invention has been devised to solve the above-described problems that are desired to be improved. The purpose of the present invention is to cause a part of the high-frequency signal for transmission to leak to the receiving side, and to switch the high-frequency signal for transmission. In a high-frequency transmitter / receiver having a switch capable of blocking the output of an intermediate frequency signal as noise caused by, for example, noise to the receiving system, even in a transient state where the high-frequency signal for transmission is switched, An object of the present invention is to provide a high frequency transmitter / receiver capable of reliably blocking an intermediate frequency signal.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a high-performance radar device using the high-frequency transceiver of the present invention, a radar device-equipped vehicle equipped with the radar device, and a radar device-equipped small vessel.

  A first high-frequency transmitter / receiver according to the present invention includes a high-frequency oscillator that generates a high-frequency signal, and switches the high-frequency signal connected to the high-frequency oscillator and outputs the high-frequency signal to one output terminal as a transmission high-frequency signal or the other. A changeover switch that outputs a local signal at the output end, and has an input end, an output end, and an input / output end, and the input end is connected to the one output end, and the input / output end is connected to the input end or the output end. A second changeover switch for switching, a transmission / reception antenna connected to the input / output end of the second changeover switch, the other output end of the changeover switch, and the output of the second changeover switch An intermediate frequency signal is output by mixing the local signal output to the other output end connected to the other end and the high frequency signal received by the transmitting / receiving antenna. A mixer connected to the output terminal of the mixer, and the power supply of the amplifier that is connected to the power path of the amplifier in an open state, and the high frequency signal for transmission is stable in a non-output state And a switch for turning on the power of the amplifier in a closed state.

  A second high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention includes a high-frequency oscillator that generates a high-frequency signal, and switches the high-frequency signal connected to the high-frequency oscillator and outputs the high-frequency signal to one output terminal as a transmission high-frequency signal or the other. A changeover switch that outputs a local signal at the output end, a transmission antenna connected to the one output end, a reception antenna connected to the other output end side of the changeover switch, and the other of the changeover switch A mixer connected between an output end and the receiving antenna, which mixes a local signal output to the other output end and a high frequency signal received by the receiving antenna, and outputs an intermediate frequency signal, and this mixer An amplifier connected to the output terminal of the amplifier, and the power supply of the amplifier is cut off in an open state connected to the power path of the amplifier, and the transmitting high frequency No. is characterized in that it comprises a switch which is closed to power of the amplifier when the stable in a non-output state.

  In the first or second high-frequency transmitter / receiver according to the present invention, in each of the above-described configurations, the changeover switch branches the input high-frequency signal and outputs the branched high-frequency signal to one output end and the other output end. And first and second PIN diodes connected to the one output terminal and the other output terminal, respectively, and in order to at least one of the first and second PIN diodes. A bias circuit for applying a directional bias voltage is connected.

  Further, the radar apparatus of the present invention processes either the first or second high frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention and the distance information to the detection target by processing the intermediate frequency signal output from the high frequency transmitter / receiver. And a distance information detector for detecting.

  A vehicle equipped with a radar device according to the present invention includes the radar device according to the present invention, and is characterized in that the radar device is used for detection of a detection target.

  Further, a ship equipped with a radar device according to the present invention includes the radar device according to the present invention, and the radar device is used for detection of a detection object.

  According to the first high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, the high-frequency oscillator that generates a high-frequency signal and the high-frequency signal connected to the high-frequency oscillator are switched and output to one output terminal as a high-frequency signal for transmission or A change-over switch that outputs a local signal at the other output end, and an input end, an output end, and an input / output end, and the input end is connected to the one output end. A second changeover switch for switching and connecting the output ends, a transmission / reception antenna connected to the input / output end of the second changeover switch, the other output end of the changeover switch and the second changeover switch An intermediate frequency signal obtained by mixing a local signal output to the other output end connected to the output end and a high frequency signal received by the transmitting / receiving antenna. The output mixer, the amplifier connected to the output terminal of the mixer, and the power supply of the amplifier connected to the power supply path of the amplifier are shut off in the open state, and the high frequency signal for transmission is stable in the non-output state And a switch for turning on the power of the amplifier when it is in a closed state. Therefore, when transmitting the high-frequency signal for transmission intermittently, when the intensity of the high-frequency signal for transmission is unstable, the amplifier Since the switch connected to the power supply path is in an open (off) state so as to cut off the power supply of the amplifier, and the intermediate frequency signal is not output from the amplifier, the switching signal input to the changeover switch is pulsed. Even if noise such as waveform distortion is included, this noise is mixed in the transmission high-frequency signal, and even if a part of the transmission high-frequency signal containing such noise leaks to the mixer side, Since the width switch and the switch work to appropriately cut off the intermediate frequency signal corresponding to a part of the transmission high-frequency signal including such noise, the S / N (signal to noise) ratio is increased. Thus, a high frequency transmitter / receiver capable of improving the reception performance is obtained.

  According to the second high frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, the high frequency oscillator for generating a high frequency signal and the high frequency signal connected to the high frequency oscillator are switched and output to one output terminal as a transmission high frequency signal. Or a changeover switch that outputs a local signal to the other output end, a transmission antenna connected to the one output end, a reception antenna connected to the other output end of the changeover switch, and the changeover switch A mixer that is connected between the other output terminal and the reception antenna, and that outputs an intermediate frequency signal by mixing a local signal output to the other output terminal and a high-frequency signal received by the reception antenna And an amplifier connected to the output terminal of the mixer, and an amplifier connected to the power path of the amplifier, shutting off the power of the amplifier in the open state, A high-frequency transmitter / receiver that uses a separate antenna for transmission, since it includes a switch that is turned on when the trusted high-frequency signal is stable in a non-output state and is turned on. When transmitting the signal intermittently, when the strength of the high-frequency signal for transmission is unstable, the switch connected to the power supply path of the amplifier is in an open (off) state so as to cut off the power supply of the amplifier. Since the operation is performed so that the intermediate frequency signal is not output from the amplifier, noise such as pulse waveform distortion is included in the open / close signal input to the changeover switch, and this noise is mixed in the high frequency signal for transmission. Even if a part of the high-frequency signal for transmission containing noise leaks to the mixer side, the amplifier and the switch are in the middle corresponding to a part of the high-frequency signal for transmission containing such noise. Since serve to properly cut off the wave signal, it is possible to increase the S / N (signal to noise) ratio, a high frequency transceiver can increase the reception performance.

  Further, according to the first or second high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, the changeover switch branches the input high-frequency signal and outputs it to one output end and the other output end; And a first and second PIN diodes connected to one output terminal and the other output terminal, respectively, and a forward bias voltage is applied to at least one of the first and second PIN diodes. When the bias circuit is connected, at least one of the first and second PIN diodes has a low impedance. Therefore, even when the first and second PIN diodes are switched, the impedance viewed from the input side of the high-frequency signal Can be made low and stable at all times, so the load fluctuation of the high frequency oscillator can be suppressed and the oscillation frequency of the high frequency signal can be stabilized. In addition, because of this configuration, even if a high frequency signal for transmission is transmitted and a local signal is input to the mixer and an intermediate frequency signal as noise is generated, the intermediate frequency as noise can be generated. Since the signal is cut off by the switch, the transmission frequency can be stabilized as a whole, and a high-performance high-frequency transmitter / receiver that can increase the S / N (signal-to-noise) ratio of reception can be obtained.

  Further, according to the radar apparatus of the present invention, either the first or second high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention and the distance to the detection object by processing the intermediate frequency signal output from the high-frequency transmitter / receiver. Since it has a distance information detector that detects information, the reception performance of the high-frequency transmitter / receiver is high, so that it is possible to detect a detection object quickly and reliably, and also to detect a detection object at a short distance or far away It becomes a radar device that can.

  Further, according to the vehicle equipped with the radar device of the present invention, since the radar device of the present invention is provided and this radar device is used for detection of the detection target object, the other radar device is the detection target object quickly and reliably. Therefore, the vehicle equipped with the radar device can perform appropriate control of the vehicle and appropriate warning to the driver without causing the vehicle to make a sudden behavior.

  Further, according to the ship equipped with the radar device of the present invention, since the radar device of the present invention is provided, and this radar device is used for detection of the detection target, the radar device is another small size that is the detection target quickly and reliably. In order to detect a ship, it is a small ship equipped with a radar device that can perform appropriate control of a small ship and an appropriate warning to a pilot without causing a rapid behavior in the small ship.

  The first and second high-frequency transmitter / receivers of the present invention, the radar apparatus including them, the radar apparatus-equipped vehicle and the small ship equipped with the radar apparatus, using the millimeter-wave signal as an example of the high-frequency signal will be described below. Will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram schematically showing an example of an embodiment of a first high-frequency transceiver according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram schematically showing an example of an embodiment of the second high-frequency transceiver according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram schematically showing another example of the embodiment of the second high-frequency transceiver of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a millimeter wave transmission unit that transmits a millimeter wave band high frequency signal in the example of the high frequency transceiver shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing an example of an RF switch in the millimeter wave transmission unit shown in FIG.

  1 to 5, 1 is a high-frequency oscillator, 2 is a branching device, 2a, 2b, and 2c are input terminals, one output terminal, the other output terminal, 3, 3 ', and 3 "are switches, respectively. Switch, RF switch as second switch, first RF switch, second RF switch, 5 is a transmission / reception antenna, 6 is a mixer, 7 is an amplifier, 7a and 7b are switches for turning on / off the power of the amplifier 7 8, 8'8 "are changeover switches, changeover switches, changeover RF switches as second switches, changeover RF switches, second changeover RF switches, 8a, 8'a are input ends, 8b, 8 ' b is one output terminal, 8c and 8'c are the other output terminals, 8 "a is an input / output terminal, 8" b is an input terminal, 8 "c is an output terminal, 9 is a transmitting antenna, 10 is a receiving antenna, 11 is the lower flat conductor (the upper flat plate The conductor is not shown).

  Further, 30 is a substrate used for the switches 3 'and 3 ", 31 is a choke-type bias supply line formed on the substrate 30, 32 is a connection terminal, 33 is a PIN diode, 31a is a wide line, 31b is a width A narrow line, 36 is a connection terminal, and 37 is a diode as an element for millimeter wave detection.

  First, the first and second high-frequency transceivers of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  An example of an embodiment of the first high-frequency transceiver of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is a high-frequency oscillator 1 that generates a high-frequency signal, and one output terminal 2b that is connected to the high-frequency oscillator 1 and switches the high-frequency signal. A switching RF switch 8 'that outputs as a transmission high-frequency signal RFt or outputs as a local signal LO to the other output terminal 2c, and an input terminal 8 "b connected to one output terminal 8'b. A second switching RF switch 8 ″ for switching and connecting the end 8 ″ a to the input end 8 ″ b or the output end 8 ″ c, and the input / output end 8 ″ a of the second switching RF switch 8 ″. Output to the other output terminal 8′c connected between the transmission / reception antenna 5 and the other output terminal 8′c of the switching RF switch 8 ′ and the output terminal 8 ″ c of the second switching RF switch. Local signal LO and transmit / receive antenna The mixer 6 that mixes the high-frequency signal received at 5 and outputs an intermediate frequency signal, the amplifier 7 connected to the output terminal of the mixer 6, and the amplifier in the open state connected to the power supply path of the amplifier 7 7 is cut off and switches 7a and 7b are turned on to turn on the power of the amplifier 7 when the transmission high-frequency signal RFt is stabilized in a non-output state.

  Further, the second embodiment of the second high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 has a high-frequency oscillator 1 that generates a high-frequency signal, and one output that switches the high-frequency signal connected to the high-frequency oscillator 1. A switching RF switch 8 that outputs a high-frequency signal for transmission to the end 8b or a local signal LO to the other output end 8c, and one output end 8b connected to one output end 8b The transmission antenna 9, the reception antenna 10 connected to the other output end 8c side of the switching RF switch 8, and the other output connected between the other output end 8c of the switching RF switch 8 and the reception antenna 10. A mixer 6 that mixes the local signal LO output to the end 8 c and the high-frequency signal received by the receiving antenna 10 to output an intermediate frequency signal, and an amplifier connected to the output end of the mixer 6. The power supply of the amplifier 7 which is connected to the power supply path of the width device 7 and the amplifier 7 is shut off in the open state, and is closed when the transmission high-frequency signal RFt is stabilized in the non-output state. And a switch 7a, 7b for switching on.

  In the above configuration, the switching RF switches 8, 8 ′ and the second switching RF switch 8 ″ are, for example, from semiconductor elements such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) field effect transistors (MESFETs) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) PIN diodes. The so-called SPDT (Single Port Double Throw) may be used, and the input terminals 8a and 8'a of the switching RF switches 8 and 8 'are connected to the high-frequency oscillator 1 to switch the switching RF switches 8 and 8'. Thus, the high-frequency signal generated by the high-frequency oscillator 1 is output as the transmission high-frequency signal RFt to one of the output terminals 8b and 8'b or as the local signal LO to the other output terminals 8c and 8'c. do it.

  Such a switching RF switch 8, 8 ′ completely cuts off the transmission high-frequency signal RFt at the moment when the output is switched from the transmission high-frequency signal RFt to the local signal LO, and is connected to one of the output terminals 8b, 8′b. Ideally, noise should not be generated, but in reality, because of the distortion of the switching control signal input to the switching RF switches 8 and 8 'and the switching characteristics of the switching RF switches 8 and 8' themselves, After the output is switched from the high-frequency signal RFt to the local signal LO, noise is output to one of the output terminals 8b and 8'b at the time of switching, and it takes a certain time until it is sufficiently attenuated. When such noise leaks to the mixer 6, an unnecessary intermediate frequency signal as noise is output from the mixer 6. Therefore, the switches 7a and 7b are used to cut off the power supply of the amplifier 7 until the noise output at the time of such switching is sufficiently attenuated so that an unnecessary intermediate frequency signal is not output from the amplifier 7.

  That is, in the above configuration, the switches 7a and 7b are opened before and after the transmission high-frequency signal RFt is intermittently transmitted, and when the output state of the transmission high-frequency signal RFt is unstable, the switches 7a and 7b are opened. By shutting off, the intermediate frequency signal is cut off, and after the output state is stabilized, the closed state is entered, and the amplifier 7 is turned on to allow the intermediate frequency signal to pass. In order to operate the switches 7a and 7b in this manner, specifically, a delay line or a delay circuit element is provided in a switching control unit (not shown) for controlling opening and closing of the switches 7a and 7b, and the RF switch 3 What is necessary is just to make it generate | occur | produce the signal which controls opening and closing of switch 7a, 7b in the switching control part at the timing delayed only for the fixed time from the opening / closing signal. As the switches 7a and 7b, specifically, semiconductor logic elements such as CMOS and TTL, analog ICs, bipolar transistors, field effect transistors (FETs), mechanical switches, or MEMS (micro electro mechanical systems) switches Etc. may be used. Note that the power supply to the amplifier 7 is cut off in this way because the switch switching noise is mixed in the intermediate frequency signal compared to the case where the switch is connected to the output terminal of the mixer 6 and the intermediate frequency signal is cut off directly by this switch. It may be difficult to do.

  According to the first or second high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, since the above configuration is adopted, the high-frequency signal is switched between the transmission high-frequency signal RFt and the local signal LO by the RF switch 8 ′ (switching RF switch 8). When the transmission high-frequency signal RFt is intermittently transmitted, the switches 7a and 7b connected to the power supply path of the amplifier 7 shut off the power supply of the amplifier 7 when the strength of the transmission high-frequency signal RFt is unstable. Therefore, the open / close signal input to the switching RF switches 8 and 8 ′ includes noise such as pulse waveform distortion, so that the intermediate frequency signal is not output from the amplifier 7. Even if this noise is mixed in the transmission high-frequency signal RFt and a part of the transmission high-frequency signal RFt containing such noise leaks to the mixer 6 side, the amplifier 7 and the switch 7 , 7b work to properly cut off the intermediate frequency signal corresponding to a part of the transmission high-frequency signal RFt including such noise, so that the S / N (signal to noise) ratio can be increased. Thus, the reception performance can be increased.

  Further, when the RF switch 3 uses a semiconductor element made of a material containing a III-V group compound semiconductor as a main component, the semiconductor element made of a material containing a III-V group compound semiconductor has a high carrier mobility. Since the lifetime is short, the switching current of the RF switch 3 can be quickly converged from the transient state to the steady state when the switching current is supplied to the semiconductor element in the RF switch 3. The pulsed transmission high-frequency signal RFt can be quickly converged to a steady state, and after outputting the pulsed transmission high-frequency signal RFt, the switches 7a and 7b are closed (on) at an early timing. However, an intermediate frequency signal that is mixed with an unnecessary signal generated immediately after the rising edge of the pulse is added to the high frequency signal for transmission RFt. No longer be output to the subsequent Kisa 6 can be an intermediate frequency signal to shorten the composed time can not be transmitted and received by being blocked. In addition to gallium arsenide (GaAs), in addition to indium / phosphorus (InP) and indium / antimony (InSb), materials containing III-V compound semiconductors include indium (In) or aluminum (Al ) -Containing indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), gallium arsenide aluminum (GaAlAs), indium gallium arsenide aluminum (InGaAlAs), indium arsenide gallium arsenide (InAlGaAs), or indium arsenide (InAs), arsenic A mixed crystal or multilayer superlattice (MQW) of aluminum (AlAs) and indium aluminum arsenide (InAlAs) may be used. Further, a diode, a bipolar transistor, or a field effect transistor (FET) may be used as a semiconductor element made of any of these materials.

  Next, in another example of the embodiment of the second high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. 3, the switching RF switch 8 is input to the high-frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. A branching device 2 that branches a high-frequency signal and outputs it to one output end 2b and the other output end 2c, and first and second PINs connected to one output end 2b and the other output end 2c, respectively. And a bias circuit for applying a forward bias voltage to at least one of the first and second PIN diodes 3 ′, 3 ″.

  In addition, in the high-frequency transmission part of such a high-frequency transmitter / receiver, as shown in a plan view in FIG. 4, for example, a non-radiative dielectric line is used as a high-frequency transmission line for connecting each component, When a substrate mounted with a PIN diode as shown in FIG. 5 is inserted as the RF switch 3 ′, 3 ″, the nonradiative dielectric line and the RF switch 3 ′, 3 ″ have a small transmission loss at high frequencies. This is advantageous in that high transmission / reception performance can be obtained for millimeter wave signals of about 76 GHz. The nonradiative dielectric line has the same configuration as shown in FIG.

  According to another example of the embodiment of the second high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. 3, in addition to having the same operational effects as the high-frequency transmitter / receiver shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. Since at least one of the first and second PIN diodes 3 ′ and 3 ″ has a low impedance, even if the first and second PIN diodes 3 ′ and 3 ″ are switched, the high-frequency signal input side (high-frequency oscillator 1 Since the impedance viewed from the side) can always be low and stable, there is an advantage that the load fluctuation of the high frequency oscillator 1 can be suppressed and the oscillation frequency of the high frequency signal can be stabilized without using an isolator or the like.

  Further, in such a configuration, since there is a time zone in which the local signal LO is input to the mixer 6 at the same time as the transmission high-frequency signal RFt is transmitted, a part of the transmission high-frequency signal RFt is mixed in the time zone. An intermediate frequency signal as noise resulting from leakage to the terminal 6 may be generated. However, since the intermediate frequency signal as such noise is blocked by the amplifier 7 and the switches 7a and 7b, it is transmitted as a whole. The frequency can be stabilized and the S / N (signal to noise) ratio of reception can be increased.

  Next, in the first and second high-frequency transmitter / receivers of the present invention, each component may be configured in detail as follows in addition to the above.

Examples of the material of the dielectric line that is a component of the non-radiative dielectric line include resins such as ethylene tetrafluoride and polystyrene, or cordierite (2MgO · 2Al ₂ O ₃ · 5SiO ₂ ) ceramics having a low dielectric constant, Ceramics such as alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ) ceramics and glass ceramics are preferable, and these have low loss in the millimeter wave band. In addition, although the cross-sectional shape of the dielectric line is basically rectangular, it may be rounded at the corners of the rectangle, and various cross-sectional shapes used for millimeter wave signal transmission are used. can do.

  The material of the flat conductor is Cu, Al, Fe, Ag, Au, Pt, SUS (stainless steel), brass (Cu-Zn alloy), etc. in terms of high electrical conductivity and good workability. A conductor plate is preferred. Or what formed these conductor layers on the surface of the insulating board which consists of ceramics, resin, etc. may be used.

  The substrate 30 is formed on one main surface of a plate-like substrate made of tetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene, glass ceramics, glass epoxy resin, epoxy resin, etc., with aluminum (Al), gold (Au), copper (Cu), etc. A choke-type bias supply line 31 formed of a strip conductor or the like is used.

  In addition to non-radiative dielectric lines, waveguides, dielectric waveguides, dielectric waveguide lines, strip lines can be used as high-frequency transmission lines for connecting high-frequency signals by connecting circuit elements. A high-frequency transmission line such as a microstrip line, a coplanar line, a slot line, or a coaxial line may be selected and used according to the frequency band to be used and the application. In addition to the millimeter wave band, the frequency band to be used is effective even in the microwave band or lower frequency band.

  Next, a radar apparatus using the high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention, a radar apparatus-equipped vehicle equipped with the radar apparatus, and a radar apparatus-equipped small ship will be described.

  An example of an embodiment of a radar apparatus according to the present invention includes a high-frequency transmitter / receiver according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention described above, and an intermediate frequency signal output from the high-frequency transmitter / receiver. And a distance information detector for detecting the distance information.

  In the above configuration, the distance information detector performs signal processing on the detected intermediate frequency signal and outputs distance information including the distance and direction from the radar device to the detection target. For example, the distance information detector includes an arithmetic circuit including a differentiation circuit, an integration circuit, a square circuit, and the like that calculate an intermediate frequency signal as position information, a determination circuit that determines an output of the arithmetic circuit, these arithmetic circuits, And a computer that operates the discriminating circuit and the high-frequency transceiver according to a series of sequences. A circuit in which an operational amplifier (op amp), a comparator, or the like is combined may be used for the arithmetic circuit and the discrimination circuit. Further, a switch, an amplifier, a filter, or the like may be used as necessary. Also, in the process of these calculations and discrimination, analog signals are converted into digital signals at once, these calculations and discrimination are processed with digital signals, and digital signals are converted into analog signals as needed. And a DA converter may be used. At this time, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP) that performs fast Fourier transform (FFT) or the like may be used as the arithmetic circuit that calculates the digital signal after A / D conversion.

  According to such an example of the embodiment of the radar apparatus of the present invention, the first or second high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention is used for the high-frequency transmitter / receiver that is a component, and the reception performance thereof is high. A detection object can be detected quickly and reliably, and a detection object at a close distance or a distant place can also be detected. In addition to the radar device, the high-frequency transmitter / receiver of the present invention is, for example, a so-called physical medium that is a physical layer (physical layer) of a wireless device used in, for example, a wireless LAN. -Configuration as a de-pendant (PMD) device, consisting of this PMD device and its higher-layer physical media attachment (PMA) device, media access controller (MAC) device, and other devices As a wireless device.

  A vehicle equipped with a radar device according to the present invention includes the radar device according to the present invention, and the radar device is used to detect a detection target.

  Since the radar device-equipped vehicle of the present invention has such a configuration, the behavior of the vehicle can be controlled based on the distance information detected by the radar device, For example, the detection of obstacles on the road or other vehicles can be warned by sound, light or vibration. However, in the vehicle equipped with the radar device of the present invention, Since the radar apparatus detects other vehicles and the like quickly and reliably, it is possible to perform appropriate control of the vehicle and appropriate warning to the driver without causing the vehicle to make a sudden behavior.

  The radar device-equipped vehicle of the present invention is not limited to a vehicle for transporting passengers and cargo such as trains, trains, and automobiles, but also bicycles, motorbikes, amusement park vehicles, golf courses, etc. It can also be used for carts and the like.

  A small ship equipped with a radar apparatus according to the present invention includes the radar apparatus according to the present invention, and the radar apparatus is used to detect a detection target.

  Since the small ship equipped with the radar apparatus of the present invention has such a configuration, the behavior of the small ship is controlled based on the distance information detected by the radar apparatus in the small ship as in the conventional vehicle equipped with the radar apparatus. Or the operator is warned by sound, light or vibration that an obstacle such as a reef, another ship or other small ship has been detected. In a ship, the radar device detects obstacles such as reefs, other ships, or other small ships, which are objects to be detected, quickly and reliably. Proper control and appropriate warning to the operator can be provided.

  The small-sized ship equipped with the radar device of the present invention is specifically a ship that can be operated without a license for a small ship or a license, and is a boat with a total tonnage of less than 20 tons. Motorcycles, small bass boats with outboard motors, inflatable boats with inboard motors (rubber boats), fishing boats, recreational fishing boats, work boats, houseboats, towing boats, sports boats, fishing boats, yachts, open-sea yachts, cruisers or gross tonnage 20 It can be used for pleasure boats of tons or more.

  Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to block a part of the transmission high-frequency signal from leaking to the reception side and outputting an intermediate frequency signal as noise caused by switching of the transmission high-frequency signal to the reception system. A high-frequency transmitter / receiver having a switch, and a high-frequency transmitter / receiver with high reception performance capable of reliably blocking such an intermediate frequency signal as noise even in a transient state of switching a high-frequency signal for transmission, and the same It is possible to provide a high-performance radar device that can detect a detection object quickly and reliably, a radar device-equipped vehicle equipped with the high-performance radar device, and a radar device-equipped small vessel.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the example of the said embodiment, It does not interfere in various ways within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, the switch or amplifier may be provided in a shielded housing. As a case with such a shield, for example, a flat conductor constituting a non-radiative dielectric line is formed on the inner surface of each of the two cases, and the inside of the case that combines them is a metal wall. What is used is a hollow space surrounded by. By doing so, it becomes difficult for external noise to be mixed into the intermediate frequency signal before amplification, so that a high-frequency transmitter / receiver capable of improving the reception sensitivity can be obtained.

It is a block circuit diagram showing typically an example of an embodiment of the 1st high frequency transceiver of the present invention. It is a block circuit diagram showing typically an example of an embodiment of the 2nd high frequency transceiver of the present invention. It is a block circuit diagram showing typically other examples of an embodiment of the 2nd high frequency transceiver of the present invention. It is a top view which shows typically the example of the millimeter wave transmission part which transmits the high frequency signal of the millimeter wave band in the high frequency transmitter-receiver shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows typically the example of RF switch in the millimeter wave transmission part shown in FIG. It is a partially broken perspective view which shows the basic composition of a nonradiative dielectric track | line. It is a top view of the high frequency transmitter-receiver which has a transmission / reception antenna. It is a top view of the high frequency transmitter-receiver which has a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. It is a block circuit diagram which shows the structure of each part when the conventional high frequency transmitter-receiver is used as a millimeter wave radar. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the modulator of a high frequency transmitter / receiver.

Explanation of symbols

1: High frequency oscillator (millimeter wave signal oscillator)
2: Branching device 3, 3 ′, 3 ″: RF switch 5: Transmission / reception antenna 6: Mixer 7: Switch (switch)
8, 8 ': Changeover RF switch (Changeover switch: Single-pole 2-way changeover type)
8 ": 2nd changeover RF switch (2nd changeover switch: single pole 2 direction changeover type)
9: Transmitting antenna
10: Receive antenna
11: Lower flat conductor (upper flat conductor not shown)

Claims (6)

A high-frequency oscillator that generates a high-frequency signal, and a change-over switch that is connected to the high-frequency oscillator and switches the high-frequency signal and outputs it as a high-frequency signal for transmission to one output end or as a local signal to the other output end; A second changeover switch having an input end, an output end and an input / output end, wherein the input end is connected to the one output end, and the input end is switched to the input end or the output end. The transmitting / receiving antenna connected to the input / output end of the second changeover switch, and the other connected between the other output end of the changeover switch and the output end of the second changeover switch. A mixer that mixes the local signal output to the output terminal of the signal and the high-frequency signal received by the transmitting / receiving antenna to output an intermediate frequency signal, and the output of the mixer An amplifier connected to an end of the amplifier, and the power supply of the amplifier connected to the power path of the amplifier is shut off in an open state, and is closed when the transmission high-frequency signal is stabilized in a non-output state; And a switch for turning on the power. A high-frequency oscillator that generates a high-frequency signal, and a change-over switch that is connected to the high-frequency oscillator and switches the high-frequency signal and outputs it as a high-frequency signal for transmission to one output end or as a local signal to the other output end; A transmission antenna connected to the one output end, a reception antenna connected to the other output end side of the changeover switch, and a connection between the other output end of the changeover switch and the reception antenna. A mixer that mixes the local signal output to the other output end and the high-frequency signal received by the receiving antenna to output an intermediate frequency signal, an amplifier connected to the output end of the mixer, and Connected to the power path of the amplifier, when the power of the amplifier is shut off in the open state, and the high frequency signal for transmission is stabilized in the non-output state RF transceiver, characterized by comprising a switch to power of the amplifier in a state. The changeover switch branches the input high-frequency signal and outputs it to one output end and the other output end, and the first switch connected to each of the one output end and the other output end. 2. A bias circuit for applying a forward bias voltage to at least one of the first and second PIN diodes is connected to the first and second PIN diodes. Or the high frequency transmitter-receiver of Claim 2. A high-frequency transmitter / receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a distance information detector for processing the intermediate frequency signal output from the high-frequency transmitter / receiver to detect distance information to a detection target. A radar apparatus comprising: A radar device-equipped vehicle comprising the radar device according to claim 4, wherein the radar device is used for detection of an object to be detected. A small ship equipped with a radar apparatus, comprising the radar apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the radar apparatus is used for detection of an object to be detected.

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