JP5728033B2 - Millimeter-wave radio equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for stabilizing the output of a wireless device.

  In recent years, wireless communication systems using millimeter waves have been developed in order to cope with an increase in capacity of wireless communication. For example, a wireless communication system capable of transmitting a Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) signal using a 60 GHz band and having a communication speed of 1.25 Gbps has already been developed. A wireless device capable of transmitting a 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) signal using a 120 GHz band radio wave has also been developed.

  Since a high-frequency millimeter-wave signal has a large transmission loss in a metal transmission line such as a coaxial cable, a waveguide is widely used as a transmission line. For example, one example of an outdoor wireless device that transmits large-capacity data using the millimeter-wave band is a millimeter-wave module mounted on a metal package using a waveguide as a connection port, and a long-range wireless propagation For example, there is a configuration in which the antenna is connected to an antenna having a metal main mirror. This is because the millimeter wave signal has a large transmission loss, so that the antenna needs to be as close as possible to the antenna, and the antenna also has a function of efficiently radiating heat generated by the millimeter wave module to the outside air.

T. Kosugi et al., “120-GHz Tx / Rx Waveguide Modules for 10-Gbit / s Wireless Link System”, IEEE CSIC Symp. Digest., 2006, pp. 25-28 A. Hirata et al., “10-Gbit / s Wireless Link Using InP HEMT MMICs for Generating 20-GHz-Band Millimeter-Wave Signal”, IEEE Trans. MTT, May 2009, vol. 57, No. 5, pp. 1102-1109

  The circuit used for the millimeter wave module has temperature dependence, and in particular, the amplifier circuit that determines the millimeter wave output increases the gain when the temperature decreases, and the millimeter wave output increases. Conversely, the gain increases when the temperature increases. Decrease and millimeter wave output decreases. Millimeter-wave wireless devices that radiate millimeter-wave modules from an antenna can efficiently radiate heat at temperatures close to room temperature, but when the outside air is very cold, the millimeter-wave module is too cold and the gain increases significantly. However, the output signal is distorted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to reduce fluctuations in wireless output due to outside air temperature.

The millimeter-wave radio apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the antenna or the antenna is thermally connected, and the output or sensitivity increases as the temperature and gain adjustment voltage increase, depending on the output value to the antenna. A millimeter-wave module that outputs an output monitor voltage that changes, a power supply circuit that adjusts the gain adjustment voltage to make the output monitor voltage constant, and applies the gain adjustment voltage to the millimeter-wave module; A fan that is supplied with electric power from the power supply circuit and generates a wind for cooling or warming the millimeter wave module; and a heat source for warming the millimeter wave module, the power supply circuit having the gain When the adjustment voltage exceeds a first threshold value, power is supplied to the fan so as to cool the millimeter wave module, and the gain adjustment voltage reaches a second threshold value. When it turned, and supplying power to the fan to warm the millimeter wave module by hot air using the heat source.

  In the millimeter wave radio apparatus, a power supply board on which the power supply circuit is mounted is used as the heat generation source.

  The millimeter wave radio apparatus further includes an outside air exchange fan for exchanging air and outside air in the millimeter wave radio apparatus, and the power supply circuit supplies power to the outside air exchange fan when the millimeter wave module is cooled. When supplying and warming the millimeter wave module, the supply of electric power to the outside air replacement fan is stopped.

  According to the present invention, fluctuations in wireless output due to outside air temperature can be reduced.

It is the schematic explaining the structure of the millimeter wave radio | wireless apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the millimeter wave radio | wireless apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a circuit diagram which shows the example which comprised the millimeter wave amplifier by the negative feedback type variable gain amplifier. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the millimeter wave radio | wireless apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of another millimeter wave radio | wireless apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of another millimeter wave radio | wireless apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the modification of the millimeter wave radio | wireless apparatus of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of another millimeter wave radio | wireless apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the millimeter wave radio | wireless apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the millimeter wave radio | wireless apparatus in 4th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the millimeter wave radio apparatus according to the first embodiment. A millimeter wave radio apparatus 1 shown in the figure includes an antenna 10 having a metal main mirror for long-distance radio propagation, a millimeter wave module 20 mounted in a metal package using a waveguide as a connection port, and A power supply board 30 that supplies power to the millimeter wave module 20 and the like is provided, and the millimeter wave module 20 and the power supply board 30 are fixed to a heat radiation jig (not shown) that plays a role of heat radiation, and the inside of the wireless device housing 50 Is housed in. The millimeter wave module 20 and the antenna 10 are connected to each other by a bayonet mechanism. The millimeter wave module 20 and the antenna 10 are thermally connected, and the heat generated by the millimeter wave module 20 is efficiently radiated to the outside air. The millimeter wave module 20 has a characteristic that the output or sensitivity increases as the temperature and gain adjustment voltage increase.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the millimeter wave radio apparatus according to the first embodiment. Here, only those closely related to the features of the present invention are shown. The millimeter wave module 20 shown in FIG. 2 includes a millimeter wave amplifier 21 and a temperature sensor 22 is attached. The power supply substrate 30 includes a temperature detection circuit 31, a storage circuit 32, and a power supply circuit 33.

  The millimeter wave amplifier 21 increases its output or sensitivity by increasing the gate voltage or drain voltage. Further, the gain of the millimeter wave amplifier 21 decreases as the temperature increases, and the output or sensitivity of the millimeter wave module 20 decreases accordingly. The gain of the millimeter wave amplifier 21 is adjusted by a gain adjustment voltage output from the power supply circuit 33.

  The temperature sensor 22 is attached to the wall surface of the millimeter wave module 20 and measures the temperature of the millimeter wave module 20.

  The temperature detection circuit 31 converts information sent from the temperature sensor 22 into temperature information.

  The memory circuit 32 holds the conditions of the gain adjustment voltage for each temperature for making the output or sensitivity of the millimeter wave amplifier 21 constant in the form of a table or an expression.

  The power supply circuit 33 refers to the storage circuit 32 to determine a gain adjustment voltage that makes the output or sensitivity constant from the temperature information converted by the temperature detection circuit 31, and supplies the determined gain adjustment voltage to the millimeter wave amplifier 21. Apply. For example, when the temperature rises, the gain adjustment voltage to be applied to the millimeter wave amplifier 21 is increased to compensate for the gain reduction and to keep the output or sensitivity constant.

  FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an example in which the millimeter wave amplifier is configured by a negative feedback variable gain amplifier. In the negative feedback variable gain amplifier shown in the same figure, the gain is controlled by changing the negative feedback amount by controlling the resistance value of the variable resistance element. At this time, by simultaneously controlling the variable resistance element and the main amplifier, fluctuations in input / output impedance at the time of variable gain can be suppressed, and reflection characteristics of input and output can be improved (Kawashima et al., “Variable Gain”). "Proposal of improvement method of reflection characteristics during gain control in amplifier", 2005 IEICE General Conference).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 22 measures the temperature of the millimeter wave module 20 and automatically sets optimum voltage conditions according to the temperature measured by the power supply circuit 33. The deterioration of the amplification characteristics of the millimeter wave module 20 due to the outside air temperature change can be suppressed.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the output or sensitivity of the millimeter wave module 20 is kept constant by changing the gain adjustment voltage applied to the millimeter wave amplifier 21 in accordance with the temperature of the millimeter wave module 20. There are cases where the temperature becomes so high or low that it is difficult to compensate only by changing the gain adjustment voltage. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a function of adjusting the temperature of the millimeter wave module 20 is provided in the wireless device housing 50.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the millimeter wave radio apparatus according to the second embodiment. The millimeter wave radio apparatus shown in FIG. 4 includes an antenna 10, a millimeter wave module 20, a power supply board 30, and a fan 40. Since the antenna 10, the millimeter wave module 20, and the power supply substrate 30 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  The fan 40 is installed so as to blow air toward the millimeter wave module 20 and is driven by electric power supplied from the power supply circuit 33. When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 22 exceeds a predetermined threshold value Tu, the power supply circuit 33 supplies power to the fan 40 and applies wind to the millimeter wave module 20 to cool the millimeter wave module 20. .

  By cooling the millimeter wave module 20 by blowing air from the fan 40 when the temperature of the millimeter wave module 20 is high, fluctuations in the output of the millimeter wave module 20 can be suppressed even when the millimeter wave module 20 becomes hot. .

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of another millimeter wave radio apparatus according to the second embodiment. 5 includes two fans 40A and 40B and a heat source 41. The heat source 41 is installed between the fan 40 </ b> B and the millimeter wave module 20.

  By cooling the millimeter wave module 20 by generating convection in the air inside the wireless device housing 50 with the fan 40A, and applying the heat generated by the heat source 41 to the millimeter wave module 20 as warm air by blowing air from the fan 40B. The millimeter wave module 20 is heated to prevent overcooling.

  The power supply circuit 33 supplies power to the fan 40A when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 22 exceeds a predetermined threshold value Tu, and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 22 falls below the predetermined threshold value Tl. If this happens, power is supplied to the fan 40B.

  Since the heat generation amount of the power supply substrate 30 is large, the power supply substrate 30 may be used as the heat generation source 41. In this case, the cooling of the power supply substrate 30 and the temperature adjustment of the millimeter wave module 20 can be performed simultaneously.

  As described above, the heat generating source 41 is arranged between the fan 40B and the millimeter wave module 20, and when the temperature of the millimeter wave module 20 is low, the fan 40B blows air to warm the millimeter wave module 20 by the heat of the heat generating source 41. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the millimeter wave module 20 from being overcooled.

  Further, by using the power supply substrate 30 as the heat source 41, the power supply substrate 30 can also be cooled.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of still another millimeter wave radio apparatus according to the second embodiment. The millimeter wave radio apparatus shown in FIG. 6 includes a heat source 41 as in FIG. 5 includes two fans, the millimeter-wave wireless device of FIG. 6 includes one fan 40, and changes the direction of air blowing by changing the rotation direction of the fan 40.

  When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 22 exceeds a predetermined threshold value Tu, the power supply circuit 33 supplies power by controlling the rotation direction so that the millimeter wave module 20 is cooled. When the measured temperature falls below a predetermined threshold value Tl, electric power is supplied by controlling the rotation direction so that the millimeter wave module 20 is warmed by warm air.

  Compared with the one shown in FIG. 5, the number of fans 40 is one, so that the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a fan 40 may be installed between the heat source 41 and the millimeter wave module 20. In this case, hot air can be applied to the millimeter wave module 20 more efficiently than that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of still another millimeter-wave radio apparatus according to the second embodiment. The millimeter wave radio apparatus shown in FIG. 8 uses the power supply board 30 as a heat source, and has a hole 34 through which the wind passes.

  By providing the hole 34 in the power supply substrate 30, the power supply substrate 30 can be arranged vertically (with the substrate surface facing the millimeter wave module 20 and the fan 40), contributing to space saving.

  In the present embodiment, a hot air introduction wall may be provided around the heat source 41 so that the hot air effectively strikes the millimeter wave module 20.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the adjustment of the gain adjustment voltage by the power supply circuit 33, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 22 exceeds the predetermined threshold Tu, When the temperature falls below the threshold value Tl, the millimeter wave module 20 becomes hot or cold by controlling the fan 40 and adjusting the temperature of the millimeter wave module 20 by applying wind or warm air to the millimeter wave module 20. However, the output or sensitivity of the millimeter wave module 20 can be kept constant.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first and second embodiments, the gain adjustment voltage and the wind direction of the fan are adjusted from the measured values of the surface temperature of the millimeter wave module. In the third embodiment, the output of the millimeter wave module is adjusted. The gain adjustment voltage is adjusted so that the output monitor voltage that varies depending on the output voltage becomes constant.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the millimeter wave radio apparatus according to the third embodiment. The millimeter wave radio apparatus shown in FIG. 9 includes an output monitor circuit 35 instead of the temperature detection circuit 31 and the storage circuit 32 of the millimeter wave radio apparatus shown in FIG.

  The millimeter wave module 20 includes a coupler 23 that extracts an output monitor voltage that changes depending on the output value of the millimeter wave.

  The output monitor circuit 35 acquires the output monitor voltage from the coupler 23 of the millimeter wave module 20. The power supply circuit 33 adjusts the gain adjustment voltage so that the output monitor voltage detected by the output monitor circuit 35 is constant.

  When the temperature is lowered, the gain of the millimeter wave amplifier 21 is increased. Therefore, in order to make the output or sensitivity of the millimeter wave module 20 constant, it is necessary to lower the gain adjustment voltage. When the gain adjustment voltage adjusted by the power supply circuit 33 falls below the preset threshold value Pl, the temperature is very low, and therefore the fan 40 is rotated in the rotational direction in which the warm air hits the millimeter wave module 20. To warm the millimeter wave module 20. On the other hand, when the temperature rises, the gain of the millimeter wave amplifier 21 decreases, so that it is necessary to increase the gain adjustment voltage in order to compensate for a decrease in the output or sensitivity of the millimeter wave module 20. When the gain adjustment voltage adjusted by the power supply circuit 33 exceeds the preset threshold value Pu, the temperature is very high, so the fan 40 is turned in the direction of rotation in which the wind blows on the left side in the figure. The millimeter wave module 20 is driven and cooled by convection in the wireless device housing 50.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the output monitor circuit 35 measures the output monitor voltage of the millimeter wave module 20, and the power supply circuit 33 adjusts the gain adjustment voltage based on the output monitor voltage. Since the temperature sensor 22 and the memory circuit 32 are not required, the price can be reduced, and the output is directly measured, so that more accurate control is possible. Further, if the output monitor circuit 35 has a sufficiently small output fluctuation due to temperature, the output adjustment can be made highly accurate.

  Here, the example in which the third embodiment is applied to the millimeter wave radio apparatus of FIG. 6 is shown, but the present invention may be applied to any of the millimeter wave radio apparatuses described in the first and second embodiments. .

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the millimeter wave radio apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. The millimeter wave radio apparatus shown in FIG. 10 includes an external air exchange fan 51 in the radio apparatus housing 50 of the millimeter wave radio apparatus shown in FIG.

  The outside air replacement fan 51 is driven by the power supply circuit 33 and exchanges the air inside the wireless device housing 50 with the outside air to lower the temperature inside the wireless device housing 50.

  When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 22 falls below a predetermined threshold value Tl, the power supply circuit 33 stops the supply of power to the outside air replacement fan 51, thereby reducing the temperature of the inside of the wireless device housing 50. Since heat exchange with the outside air is not performed, excessive cooling of the millimeter wave module 20 can be prevented. When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 22 exceeds a predetermined threshold value Tu, power is supplied to the outside air replacement fan 51, and the air inside the wireless device housing 50 is exchanged with the outside air to exchange the wireless device housing. Reduce the temperature in 50.

  Here, the example in which the fourth embodiment is applied to the millimeter wave radio apparatus of FIG. 6 is shown, but the present invention may be applied to any of the millimeter wave radio apparatuses described in the first to third embodiments. . When applied to the third embodiment, when the gain adjustment voltage falls below the threshold value Pl, the supply of electric power to the outside air exchange fan 51 is stopped, and the gain adjustment voltage reaches the threshold value Pu. When it exceeds, the same effect can be acquired by supplying electric power to the external air replacement fan 51.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the outside air replacement fan 51 that replaces the air inside the wireless device housing 50 and the outside air is provided, and the outside air replacement fan 51 is based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 22. By controlling this, the temperature control range can be expanded.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Millimeter wave radio device 10 ... Antenna 20 ... Millimeter wave module 21 ... Millimeter wave amplifier 22 ... Temperature sensor 23 ... Coupler 30 ... Power supply board 31 ... Temperature detection circuit 32 ... Memory circuit 33 ... Power supply circuit 34 ... Hole 35 ... Output Monitor circuit 40, 40A, 40B ... Fan 41 ... Heat source 50 ... Radio device housing 51 ... Fan for outdoor air exchange

Claims (3)

An antenna,
A millimeter wave module that is thermally connected to the antenna and has an output or sensitivity increase characteristic when the temperature and gain adjustment voltage increases, and outputs an output monitor voltage that changes depending on an output value to the antenna. When,
Adjusting the gain adjustment voltage so as to make the output monitor voltage constant, and applying the gain adjustment voltage to the millimeter wave module; and
A fan which is supplied with electric power from the power supply circuit and generates wind for cooling or warming the millimeter wave module;
A heat source for heating the millimeter wave module,
The power supply circuit supplies power to the fan to cool the millimeter wave module when the gain adjustment voltage exceeds a first threshold value, and the gain adjustment voltage is A millimeter-wave radio apparatus that supplies power to the fan so that the millimeter-wave module is heated by warm air using the heat source when the threshold value is below . Millimeter wave radio apparatus according to claim 1, wherein utilizing the power supply board to said power supply circuit is mounted as the heat source. It further has an outside air exchange fan for exchanging air and outside air in the millimeter-wave wireless device,
The power supply circuit supplies power to the outside air replacement fan when cooling the millimeter wave module, and stops supplying power to the outside air replacement fan when warming the millimeter wave module. The millimeter wave radio apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 .

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