KR102426630B1 - RF signal processing device and method for low orbit satellite - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and a method for processing an RF signal for a low orbit satellite, which can process an RF transmission signal by equipping a low orbit satellite with a multi-channel RFIC. The device includes: a transmission beam forming unit which forms transmission multi-beams (I/Q transmission signals) to transmit the multi-beams to a ground station terminal; a transmission RFIC which directly converts the transmission multi-beams formed by the transmission beam forming unit into frequencies for low orbit satellite mounting through a high-frequency mixer (Mixer), performs high-output amplification through a phase/size/gain control, and outputs the high-output amplified multi-channel transmission signals; and a transmission array antenna which transmits the multi-channel transmission signals output from the transmission RFIC to the ground station terminal. The transmission RFIC detects the output level of the high-output amplified multi-channel transmission signals and temperature inside the transmission RFIC, provides the detected output level and temperature values of the transmission signals to an external GUI, and adjusts the level of the power supply for the transmission RFIC according to the detected output level and temperature values. Therefore, the present invention can maintain uniform transmission RFIC performance even in space environment.

Description

RF signal processing device and method for low orbit satellite

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for processing an RF signal of a low-orbit satellite, and more particularly, to an apparatus for processing an RF signal of a low-orbit satellite and a method thereof, in which a multi-channel RFIC is mounted on the low-orbit satellite to process an RF transmission signal.

A low-orbit satellite is a satellite that orbits the earth in an orbit of several hundred to several thousand kilometers in altitude. It communicates with a center on the ground while performing functions such as remote sensing and weather observation. In addition, the low-orbit satellite may further include a function of transmitting image data generated by photographing the earth to a ground center. In this case, the data transmitted to the ground may include the time of photographing, transmission, or event occurrence using RTC (Real Time Clock) information of the low-orbit satellite. Through this, data can be analyzed more clearly at the center and earth station terminals that have received the data.

Such low-orbit satellites are not equipped with an electronic beam steering antenna (ESA) RFIC. However, most of the earth station terminals are equipped with a Satixfy Beat RFIC.

However, it is common that the Beat RFIC installed in the earth station terminal is configured to transmit a transmission output signal of 10 dBm in units of each antenna element.

The ESA system for mounting a low-orbit satellite like the present invention is difficult to secure technology abroad, and the domestic technology level is also in the research and development stage for a single RF block, and development of a multi-channel transmission RFIC is required.

The frequency of the transmit RFIC mounted on the earth station terminal is 14-14.5 GHz and 500 MHz, so it is necessary to develop a frequency-only RFIC for satellite mounting.

In addition, the output level of the satellite-mounted EAS RFIC transmitter is required to be greater for communication between various earth station terminals and satellites in preparation for the transmission RFIC for the earth station terminal.

In addition, in the case of the transmission RFIC for the earth station terminal, it is designed without considering the space environment, but the ESA transmission RFIC for the low-orbit satellite should be designed in consideration of the resistance to radiation in the space environment.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an RF signal processing apparatus for a low-orbit satellite and a method therefor, in which a multi-channel RFIC is mounted on the low-orbit satellite to process an RF transmission signal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a transmission RFIC to which phase/magnitude correction, temperature compensation, and monitoring functions are added in addition to satellite/magnitude adjustment and transmission output monitoring which are RFIC functions.

However, the problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems may exist.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, there is provided an RF signal processing apparatus for a low-orbit satellite, comprising: a transmission beam forming unit for forming a transmission multi-beam (I/Q transmission signal) for transmission to an earth station terminal; Direct conversion of the transmit multi-beam formed in the transmit beam forming unit to a low-orbit satellite-mounted frequency through a high-frequency mixer (Mixer), high-power amplification through phase/magnitude/gain control, and then high-power amplified multi-channel a transmission RFIC outputting a transmission signal; and a transmission array antenna for transmitting a multi-channel transmission signal output from the transmission RFIC to an earth station terminal.

The transmit RFIC detects an output level of the high-power amplified multi-channel transmit signal and a temperature inside the transmit RFIC, and provides an output level and temperature value of the detected transmit signal to an external GUI, and the detected output level and temperature Depending on the value, the level of the transmit RFIC supply power can be adjusted.

The transmit RFIC may include: a baseband unit for converting a transmit signal (I/Q) formed by the transmit beamformer into a baseband signal; a frequency converter for converting the signal output from the baseband part into a satellite RF high frequency signal through direct conversion using a local oscillation signal provided; a signal distribution unit for distributing the frequency-converted RF signal into a 4-channel transmission signal; a phase and magnitude adjusting unit for adjusting the phase and magnitude of the 4-channel transmission signal distributed through the signal distribution unit; and a high-power amplifier for high-power amplifying the 4-channel transmission signal whose phase and magnitude have been adjusted through the phase and magnitude adjusting unit, and providing the high-power amplified 4-channel transmission signal to the transmission array antenna.

The baseband unit removes unnecessary components from the transmission signal (I/Q) formed from the transmission beam former through a wideband multi-stage low-pass filter, and provides a DCOC (Direct Current Offset Cancellation) feedback structure for the signal from which the unnecessary components are removed. DC offset between input/output is compensated through input/output, and the amplified signal can be provided to the frequency converter by adjusting and amplifying the signal size through a BB (Base-Band) VGA (Variable Gain Amplifier).

The frequency converter may be configured as a high-frequency quadrature mixer.

The signal distribution unit may distribute the frequency-converted RF signal to a 4-channel transmission signal by applying a Wilkinson distribution structure.

The phase and magnitude adjustment unit is composed of a phase shift, a magnitude adjustment using π, and a loss compensation amplifier according to each design. For sizing, the size is adjusted to a total of 6 bits/31.5 dB at 0.5 dB per 1 bit, and the loss compensation amplifier performs transmission line loss compensation and characteristic impedance matching according to the phase shift and sizing design, and the loss compensation amplifier By positioning and tuning the parasitic capacitance of the transistor and the modeled inductor value at both ends, a broadband frequency response characteristic can be obtained.

The high-power amplifier may be composed of an RF Variable Gain Amplifier (VGA), a Drive Amplifier (DA), and a Power Amplifier (PA) to operate in a space department environment by applying a radiation immunity structure.

The transmit RFIC may include: an output level detector configured to detect an output level of a transmit signal for each channel output from the high power amplifier to the transmit array antenna; a temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature inside the transmitting RFIC; and converts BIT (Built-In Test) information on the detected output level value and the detected temperature value into a GUI format to provide it to an external GUI, and transmits the detected RFIC internal temperature and output level value The control unit may further include a control unit for calculating a power performance compensation value of the RFIC power supply and controlling the level of power supplied to the power supply device by using the calculated power performance compensation value.

The output level detector may detect the transmit output level of the high-power amplifier through the RF signal coupler using a root mean square (RMS) method.

The controller may perform Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) communication with the external GUI.

The power supply may include a band-gap reference (BGR) and a low drop-out (LDO).

On the other hand, the RF signal processing method of the low orbit satellite according to another aspect of the present invention, forming a transmission multi-beam (I / Q transmission signal) for transmission to the earth station terminal; In the transmit RFIC, the formed transmit multi-beam is directly converted to a low-orbit satellite-mounted frequency through a high-frequency mixer (Mixer), high-power amplified through phase/magnitude/gain control, and then high-power amplified multi-channel transmission outputting a signal to a transmitting array antenna; and transmitting the multi-channel transmission signal output from the transmission RFIC to the earth station terminal through a transmission array antenna.

The outputting to the transmission array antenna includes detecting the output level of the high-power amplified multi-channel transmission signal and the temperature inside the transmission RFIC, and providing the output level and temperature value of the detected transmission signal to an external GUI, and detecting It may include adjusting the level of the transmit RFIC supply power according to the output level and the temperature value.

The outputting to the transmission array antenna may include: converting the formed transmission signal (I/Q) into a baseband signal; converting the converted baseband signal into a satellite RF high frequency signal through direct conversion using the provided local oscillation signal; distributing the frequency-converted RF signal into a 4-channel transmission signal; adjusting a phase and a magnitude of the distributed 4-channel transmission signal; and high-power amplifying the 4-channel transmission signal whose phase and magnitude have been adjusted, and providing the high-power amplified 4-channel transmission signal to a transmission array antenna.

In the converting to the baseband signal, an unnecessary component is removed from the formed transmission signal (I/Q) through a wideband multi-stage low-pass filter, and the signal from which the unnecessary component is removed is converted to a DCOC (Direct Current Offset Cancellation) feedback structure. It compensates the DC offset between input/output through BB (Base-Band) VGA (Variable Gain Amplifier) and can be converted to baseband signal by amplifying and adjusting the signal size.

The converting into the satellite RF high frequency signal may be performed using a high frequency quadrature mixer.

In the step of distributing the 4-channel transmission signal, a Wilkinson distribution structure may be applied to distribute the frequency-converted RF signal into the 4-channel transmission signal.

In the step of adjusting the phase and magnitude, phase shift and Pi (size adjustment using π, loss compensation amplifiers according to each design are used, and the phase shift is 5.625° per 1 bit, a total of 6bit/354.375° phase is adjusted, , for phase adjustment, the size is adjusted to a total of 6 bits/31.5 dB at 0.5 dB per 1 bit, and the loss compensation amplifier performs transmission line loss compensation and characteristic impedance matching according to the phase shift and size adjustment design, and the By positioning and tuning the parasitic capacitance of the loss compensating amplifier transistor and the modeled inductor value at both ends, a broadband frequency response characteristic can be obtained.

In the step of providing the transmission array antenna, a high-power amplification can be performed using an RF Variable Gain Amplifier (VGA), a Drive Amplifier (DA), or a Power amplifier (PA) so that it can operate in a space ministry environment by applying a radiation immunity structure. have.

The outputting to the transmission array antenna may include: detecting an output level of a transmission signal for each channel that is amplified by the high power and output to the transmission array antenna; detecting a temperature inside the transmitting RFIC; converting BIT (Built-In Test) information on the detected output level value and the detected temperature value into a GUI format and providing it to an external GUI; and calculating a power performance compensation value of the transmitting RFIC power supply device using the detected internal temperature and output level values of the transmitting RFIC, and controlling the level of power supply of the power supply device using the calculated power performance compensation value. may further include.

The detecting of the output level may include detecting the transmission output level of the high-power amplifier through the RF signal coupler using a root mean square (RMS) method.

In the controlling step, BIT (Built-In Test) information about the output level value and the detected temperature value may be provided using the external GUI and Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) communication.

The power supply may include a band-gap reference (BGR) and a low drop-out (LDO).

In addition, the computer program according to another aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems is combined with a computer that is hardware to execute the RF signal processing method of the low orbit satellite, and may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium.

Other specific details of the invention are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to the present invention, there is an effect of strengthening competitiveness to participate in the recently rapidly growing low-orbit satellite communication (LEO) market through localization of RFIC technology for transmitters, which are difficult to transfer overseas technology and disclose information.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate potential risk factors such as supply and demand period and delivery period of products through establishment of alternatives to overseas RFICs with similar performance.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the advantages of low power/miniaturization/light weight according to the integrated design of the RFIC system of the transmitter of the 4-channel direct conversion method.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to secure scalability and internalize technology by using a transmitter RFIC without a separate configuration change according to the number of arrays when manufacturing a phased array antenna.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to customize and upgrade the transmitter RFIC according to the change and addition of customer requirements.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to have the effect of maintaining uniform transmission RFIC performance in a space environment through temperature compensation and monitoring, a phase/magnitude correction function, a transmission output monitoring function, and a high-power transmission device design having radiation immunity.

Effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

The accompanying drawings below are provided to help understanding of the present embodiment, and provide embodiments together with detailed description. However, the technical features of the present embodiment are not limited to specific drawings, and features disclosed in each drawing may be combined with each other to constitute a new embodiment.
1 is a diagram showing a block configuration of an RF signal processing apparatus of a low-orbit satellite according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed block configuration of the transmit RFIC shown in FIG. 1 .
3 is a diagram illustrating an operation flowchart of a method for processing an RF signal of a low-orbit satellite according to the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural, unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, “comprises” and/or “comprising” does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components in addition to the stated components. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout, and "and/or" includes each and every combination of one or more of the recited elements. Although "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, it goes without saying that the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the spirit of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein will have the meaning commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless clearly specifically defined.

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for processing an RF signal of a low-orbit satellite according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram showing a block configuration of an RF signal processing apparatus of a low-orbit satellite according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an RF signal processing apparatus for a low orbit satellite according to the present invention may include a transmission beam former 100 , a transmission RFIC 300 , and a transmission array antenna 500 .

The transmission beam former 100 forms a beam for transmission to the earth station terminal, and provides the formed beams (I and Q signals) to the transmission RFIC 300 . Here, the transmission beam forming unit 100 includes a transmission multi-beam processing unit (not shown) that generates a transmission multi-beam (I/Q transmission signal) for transmission to an earth station, and a D transmission multi-beam processing unit (not shown) for the generated I/Q transmission signal. A D/A conversion unit (not shown) for /A conversion may be included.

The transmit RFIC 300 directly converts the transmit signal (I/Q) provided from the transmit beam former 100 into a low-orbit satellite-mounted frequency through a high frequency mixer (Mixer) to phase/magnitude/ After high-power amplification through gain control, the high-power amplified transmission signal is transmitted to the transmission array antenna 500 .

The transmission array antenna 500 transmits the transmission signal transmitted from the transmission RFIC 300 to earth station terminals.

Here, a detailed configuration and operation of the transmit RFIC 300, which is a key technical feature of the present invention, will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed block configuration of the transmit RFIC 300 shown in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , the transmit RFIC 300 includes a baseband unit 310 , a frequency converter 320 , a local oscillator 330 , a signal distribution unit 340 , a phase and magnitude adjuster 350 , and a high-power amplifier unit. 360 , an output level detection unit 370 , a temperature detection unit 380 , a control unit 390 , and a power supply unit 400 may be included.

The baseband unit 310 converts the transmission signal I/Q formed by the transmission beamformer 100 into a baseband signal. That is, the baseband unit 310 removes unnecessary components from the transmission signal I/Q formed from the transmission beam former 100 through a wideband (500 MHz) multi-stage low-pass filter, and DCOC the signal from which the unnecessary components are removed. (Direct Current Offset Cancellation) It compensates the DC offset between input/output through the feedback structure, and adjusts and amplifies the signal size through the BB (Base-Band) VGA (Variable Gain Amplifier) and converts the amplified signal to the frequency converter ( 320) is provided.

The frequency converter 320 converts the signal output from the baseband unit 310 into a satellite RF high-frequency signal through direct conversion using the local oscillation signal provided from the local oscillator 330, and then converts the converted satellite signal. The RF high-frequency signal is provided to the signal distribution unit 340 . Here, the frequency converter 320 may be configured as a high-frequency quadrature mixer.

The local oscillation unit 330 receives an OCXO signal having high frequency stability, fast frequency fixation, and low phase noise characteristics from the outside, generates a local oscillation signal through frequency multiplication, and converts the generated local oscillation signal to the frequency converter 320 ) is provided. Here, the local oscillator 300 may be composed of a signal amplifier and an IQ local signal generator.

The signal distribution unit 340 distributes the frequency-converted RF signal to a 4-channel transmission signal by applying the Wilkinson distribution structure, and then provides the divided 4-channel RF transmission signal to the phase and magnitude adjuster 350 .

The phase and magnitude adjusting unit 350 adjusts the phase and magnitude of the 4-channel transmission signal distributed through the signal distribution unit 340 , and then is provided to the high-power amplifier 360 . That is, the phase and magnitude adjuster 350 may perform phase shift, magnitude adjustment using Pi (π-network), and loss compensation according to each design. The phase shift is 5.625° per 1 bit, which is a total of 6 bits/354.375° phase. It can be adjusted, and for phase adjustment, the size can be adjusted to 0.5dB per 1bit, for a total of 6bit/31.5dB Loss compensation works for transmission line loss compensation and characteristic impedance matching according to the phase shift and sizing design Also, by positioning and tuning the parasitic capacitance and the modeled inductor value of the loss-guaranteed amplifier transistor for loss-compensated amplification, it has broadband frequency response characteristics.

The high-power amplification unit 360 high-power amplifies the 4-channel transmission signal whose phase and magnitude are adjusted through the phase and magnitude adjustment unit 350 , and provides the high-power amplified 4-channel transmission signal to the transmission array antenna 500 . . That is, the high-power amplifier 360 operates to transmit a transmission output of 20 dBm or more per channel to the transmission array antenna 500, and applies an inverse-mode structure to operate with a radiation-resistant characteristic. ), DA (Drive Amplifier), and PA (Power amplifier).

The output level detection unit 370 detects the 4-channel output signal level output from the high-power amplifier 360 to the transmission array antenna 500 , and provides the detected output level value to the control unit 390 . That is, the output level detection unit 370 detects the transmission output level of the high-power amplifier 360 using the RF signal coupler in a root mean square (RMS) method and provides it to the control unit 390 .

The temperature detection unit 380 detects the internal temperature of the RFIC 300 and provides the detected temperature value to the control unit 390 .

The control unit 390 controls each block inside the transmit RFIC 300, that is, provides a look-up table (LUT) according to gain control, phase/magnitude control and correction, and controls such as local signal frequency and level control, BIT (Built-In Test) information on the output level value detected by the output level detection unit 370 and the temperature value detected by the temperature detection unit 380 is converted into a GUI format and provided as an external GUI. Here, communication with the external GUI uses SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), and it is a synchronized serial communication method using a clock.

On the other hand, the control unit 390 uses the internal temperature of the transmission RFIC 300 detected by the temperature detection unit 380 and the output level value detected by the output level detection unit 370 to determine the power performance compensation value of the power supply unit 400 . It is calculated, and the level of the power supplied to the power supply unit 400 is adjusted by using the power performance compensation value according to the calculated temperature and output level.

The power supply unit 400 adjusts the level of the supplied power according to the power performance compensation value provided from the control unit 390 to supply the adjusted power to each block inside the transmitting RFIC 300 . That is, the power supply unit 400 may be composed of BGR (Band-Gap Reference) and LDO (Low Drop-Out), and the BGR provides a stable and uniform reference voltage according to changes in external power source, temperature, and manufacturing process. It operates and may be designed to provide a reference voltage by adding a voltage produced by a circuit proportional to an absolute temperature and a voltage of a circuit having a negative temperature coefficient. In addition, the LDO may be designed to operate by minimizing energy loss and heat generation even with a low potential difference.

A method for processing an RF signal of a low-orbit satellite according to the present invention corresponding to the operation of the apparatus for processing an RF signal of a low-orbit satellite according to the present invention will be described in stages using the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 .

3 is a diagram illustrating an operation flowchart of a method for processing an RF signal of a low-orbit satellite according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3 , first, a beam for transmission to an earth station terminal is formed, and then the shaped transmission beam is provided to an RFIC mounted on a low-orbit satellite (S301). Here, the step S301 may include generating a transmission multi-beam (I/Q transmission signal) for transmission to the earth station, and D/A-converting the generated I/Q transmission signal, respectively.

Then, the RFIC directly converts the transmission signal (I/Q) provided from the step S301 into a low-orbit satellite-mounted frequency through a high-frequency mixer (Mixer), and amplifies the high output through phase/magnitude/gain control. Then, the high-power amplified transmission signal is transmitted to the transmission array antenna.

The transmission array antenna transmits the transmission signal transmitted from the RFIC to earth station terminals.

Here, the RF signal processing method in the RFIC, which is a key technical feature of the present invention, will be described in detail in a step-by-step manner.

First, the transmission signal I/Q formed in step S301 is converted into a baseband signal (S302). That is, in step S302, unnecessary components are removed from the transmission signal (I/Q) formed in step S301 through a wideband (500 MHz) multi-stage low-pass filter, and the signal from which the unnecessary components are removed is subjected to Direct Current Offset Cancellation (DCOC). ) compensates for DC offset between input/output through a feedback structure, and adjusts and amplifies the signal size through BB (Base-Band) VGA (Variable Gain Amplifier) and outputs the amplified signal.

Then, the signal output through step S302 is converted into a satellite RF high frequency signal through direct conversion using the provided local oscillation signal and output (S303). Here, the conversion of the high-frequency signal in step S303 may be performed using a high-frequency quadrature mixer. Here, the local oscillation signal provided in step S303 receives an OCXO signal having high frequency stability, fast frequency fixation, and low phase noise characteristics from the outside, generates a local oscillation signal through frequency multiplication, and converts the generated local oscillation signal to S303 It can be used for the conversion of the RF high-frequency signal of the stage, and the local oscillation signal can be generated using a signal amplifier and an IQ local signal generator.

Then, after applying the Wilkinson distribution structure to distribute the frequency-converted RF signal through step S303 into a 4-channel transmission signal, the distributed 4-channel RF transmission signal is output (S304).

Next, the phase and magnitude of the 4-channel transmission signal distributed through the step S304 are adjusted (S305). That is, in step S305, it is possible to use a phase shift, a size adjustment using π, and a loss compensation amplifier according to each design. For the phase shift, a total of 6bit/354.375° phase can be adjusted at 5.625° per 1 bit, and the phase For adjustment, the size can be adjusted to a total of 6 bits/31.5 dB at 0.5 dB per 1 bit, and the loss compensation amplifier operates for transmission line loss compensation and characteristic impedance matching according to the phase shift and sizing design, The parasitic capacitance of the loss compensating amplifier transistor and the modeled inductor value are applied at both ends to have broadband frequency response characteristics through tuning and tuning.

Next, the 4-channel transmission signal whose phase and magnitude have been adjusted through the step S305 is amplified to high power, and the high-power amplified 4-channel transmission signal is provided to the transmission array antenna (S306). That is, in step S306, a transmission output of 20 dBm or more per channel is transmitted to the transmission array antenna, and an inverse-mode structure is applied to operate with radiation resistance characteristics.

Next, the 4-channel output signal level output to the transmitting array antenna and the internal temperature of the RFIC 300 are detected and detected through the step S306 (S307). Here, the detection of the output level may include root mean square (RMS) detection of the transmission output level using an RF signal coupler.

Next, the BIT (Built-In Test) information on the output level value and the RFIC internal temperature value detected through the step S307 is converted into a GUI format and provided to an external GUI (S308). Here, communication with the external GUI uses SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), and it is a synchronized serial communication method using a clock.

Next, a power performance compensation value of the power supply of the RFIC is calculated using the RFIC internal temperature detected in step S307 and the detected output level value, and the power performance compensation value according to the calculated temperature and output level is used Thus, the level of the power supplied by the power supply is adjusted (S309).

Accordingly, the RFIC internal power supply supplies the adjusted power to each block inside the RFIC by adjusting the level of the supplied power according to the power performance compensation value. That is, the power supply can be composed of BGR (Band-Gap Reference) and LDO (Low Drop-Out), and the BGR operates to provide a stable and uniform reference voltage according to changes in external power, temperature, and manufacturing process. And, it may be designed to provide a reference voltage by adding the voltage generated by the circuit proportional to the absolute temperature and the voltage of the circuit having a negative temperature coefficient. In addition, the LDO may be designed to operate by minimizing energy loss and heat generation even with a low potential difference.

The RF signal processing method of the low orbit satellite according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as a program (or application) and stored in a medium to be executed in combination with a computer, which is hardware.

The above-mentioned program, in order for the computer to read the program and execute the methods implemented as a program, C, C++, JAVA, Ruby, which the processor (CPU) of the computer can read through the device interface of the computer; It may include code coded in a computer language such as machine language. Such code may include functional code related to a function defining functions necessary for executing the methods, etc., and includes an execution procedure related control code necessary for the processor of the computer to execute the functions according to a predetermined procedure can do. In addition, the code may further include additional information necessary for the processor of the computer to execute the functions or code related to memory reference for which location (address address) in the internal or external memory of the computer should be referenced. have. In addition, when the processor of the computer needs to communicate with any other computer or server located remotely in order to execute the functions, the code uses the communication module of the computer to determine how to communicate with any other computer or server remotely. It may further include a communication-related code for whether to communicate and what information or media to transmit and receive during communication.

The storage medium is not a medium that stores data for a short moment, such as a register, a cache, a memory, etc., but a medium that stores data semi-permanently and can be read by a device. Specifically, examples of the storage medium include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, and optical data storage device. That is, the program may be stored in various recording media on various servers accessible by the computer or in various recording media on the computer of the user. In addition, the medium may be distributed in a computer system connected by a network, and computer-readable codes may be stored in a distributed manner.

The foregoing description of the present invention is for illustration, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can understand that it can be easily modified into other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. will be. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and likewise components described as distributed may also be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is indicated by the following claims rather than the above detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention. do.

100: transmit beam forming unit
300: transmit RFIC
310: baseband part
320: frequency converter
330: local oscillation part
340: signal distribution unit
350: phase and size adjustment unit
360: high power amplification unit
370: output level detection unit
380: temperature detection unit
390: control unit
400: power supply
500: transmit array antenna

Claims (24)

In the RF signal processing apparatus of the low orbit satellite,
a transmission beam forming unit for forming a transmission multi-beam (I/Q transmission signal) for transmission to an earth station terminal;
The transmission multi-beam formed in the transmission beam forming unit is directly converted to a low-orbit satellite-mounted frequency through a high-frequency mixer (Mixer), and amplified to high power through phase/magnitude/gain control, and then to the high-power amplified multi-channel a transmission RFIC outputting a transmission signal; and
and a transmission array antenna for transmitting a multi-channel transmission signal output from the transmission RFIC to an earth station terminal,
The transmitting RFIC,
a baseband unit converting the transmission signal (I/Q) formed by the transmission beamforming unit into a baseband signal;
a frequency converter for converting the signal output from the baseband part into a satellite RF high frequency signal through direct conversion using the provided local oscillation signal;
a signal distribution unit for distributing the frequency-converted RF signal into a 4-channel transmission signal;
a phase and magnitude adjusting unit for adjusting the phase and magnitude of the 4-channel transmission signal distributed through the signal distribution unit; and
and a high-power amplifier for high-power amplifying the 4-channel transmission signal whose phase and magnitude have been adjusted through the phase and magnitude adjustment unit, and providing the high-power amplified 4-channel transmission signal to the transmission array antenna,
The transmitting RFIC,
an output level detection unit for detecting an output level of a transmission signal for each channel output from the high-power amplifier unit to a transmission array antenna;
a temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature inside the transmitting RFIC;
BIT (Built-In Test) information on the detected output level value and the detected temperature value is converted into a GUI format and provided to an external GUI, and the transmitted RFIC using the detected internal temperature and output level of the transmitted RFIC The RF signal processing apparatus of a low orbit satellite further comprising a control unit for calculating a power performance compensation value of the power supply and controlling the level of power supplied to the power supply device by using the calculated power performance compensation value.
According to claim 1,
The transmitting RFIC,
By detecting the output level of the high-power amplified multi-channel transmission signal and the temperature inside the transmission RFIC, the output level and temperature value of the detected transmission signal are provided to the external GUI, and according to the detected output level and temperature value, the transmission RFIC An RF signal processing device for low-orbit satellites that adjusts the level of supply power.
delete According to claim 1,
The baseband unit,
The transmission signal (I/Q) formed from the transmission beam forming unit removes unnecessary components through a wideband multi-stage low-pass filter, and the signal from which the unnecessary components are removed is transmitted between input/output through a DCOC (Direct Current Offset Cancellation) feedback structure. An RF signal processing device for a low-orbit satellite that compensates for DC offset and provides the amplified signal to the frequency converter by amplifying and adjusting the signal size through a BB (Base-Band) VGA (Variable Gain Amplifier).
According to claim 1,
The frequency converter, RF signal processing device of the low-orbit satellite is composed of a high-frequency quadrature mixer.
According to claim 1,
The signal distribution unit, RF signal processing apparatus of a low-orbit satellite to distribute the frequency-converted RF signal by applying a Wilkinson distribution structure to a 4-channel transmission signal.
According to claim 1,
The phase and size adjustment unit,
It consists of a phase shift and a size adjustment using π, and a loss compensation amplifier according to each design, and the phase shift is 5.625° per 1 bit, and a total of 6bit/354.375° phase is adjusted. The size is adjusted to a total of 6bit/31.5dB at 0.5dB, and the loss compensation amplifier performs transmission line loss compensation and characteristic impedance matching according to the phase shift and size adjustment design, and is modeled with the parasitic capacitance of the loss compensation amplifier transistor. An RF signal processing device for a low-orbit satellite that has broadband frequency response characteristics through positioning and tuning of inductor values at both ends.
According to claim 1,
The high-power amplifier,
RF signal processing device for low-orbit satellites that is composed of RF VGA (Variable Gain Amplifier), DA (Drive Amplifier), and PA (Power amplifier) so that it can operate in the space ministry environment by applying the radiation immunity structure.
delete According to claim 1,
The output level detection unit,
An RF signal processing device for a low-orbit satellite that detects the transmission output level of the high-power amplifier through an RF signal coupler using a root mean square (RMS) method.
According to claim 1,
The control unit is
The RF signal processing device of the low orbit satellite to perform SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) communication with the external GUI.
According to claim 1,
The power supply device, the RF signal processing device of the low orbit satellite is composed of a BGR (Band-Gap Reference) and LDO (Low Drop-Out).
In the RF signal processing method of a low-orbit satellite,
forming a transmission multi-beam (I/Q transmission signal) for transmission to an earth station terminal;
In the transmit RFIC, the formed transmit multi-beam is directly converted to a low-orbit satellite-mounted frequency through a high-frequency mixer (Mixer), amplified to high power through phase/magnitude/gain control, and then high-power amplified multi-channel transmission outputting a signal to a transmitting array antenna; and
Transmitting the multi-channel transmission signal output from the transmission RFIC through a transmission array antenna for transmitting to an earth station terminal,
The step of outputting to the transmitting array antenna comprises:
converting the formed transmission signal (I/Q) into a baseband signal;
converting the converted baseband signal into a satellite RF high frequency signal through direct conversion using the provided local oscillation signal;
distributing the frequency-converted RF signal into a 4-channel transmission signal;
adjusting a phase and a magnitude of the distributed 4-channel transmission signal; and
high-power amplifying the phase and magnitude-adjusted 4-channel transmission signal, and providing the high-power amplified 4-channel transmission signal to a transmission array antenna,
The step of outputting to the transmitting array antenna comprises:
detecting an output level of a transmission signal for each channel that is amplified at the high power and output to a transmission array antenna;
detecting a temperature inside the transmitting RFIC;
converting BIT (Built-In Test) information on the detected output level value and the detected temperature value into a GUI format and providing it to an external GUI; and
calculating a power performance compensation value of the transmitting RFIC power supply using the detected internal temperature and output level values of the transmitting RFIC, and controlling the level of power supplied to the power supply using the calculated power performance compensation value RF signal processing method of the low orbit satellite further comprising.
14. The method of claim 13,
The step of outputting to the transmitting array antenna comprises:
By detecting the output level of the high-power amplified multi-channel transmission signal and the temperature inside the transmission RFIC, the output level and temperature value of the detected transmission signal are provided to the external GUI, and according to the detected output level and temperature value, the transmission RFIC RF signal processing method of a low orbit satellite comprising the step of adjusting the level of the supply power.
delete 14. The method of claim 13,
The converting to the baseband signal comprises:
The formed transmission signal (I/Q) removes unwanted components through a wideband multi-stage low-pass filter, and compensates for DC offset between input/output through a DCOC (Direct Current Offset Cancellation) feedback structure for the signal from which the unnecessary component has been removed. RF signal processing method for low orbit satellites, which is converted into a baseband signal by amplifying and adjusting the signal size through BB (Base-Band) VGA (Variable Gain Amplifier).
14. The method of claim 13,
The step of converting the satellite RF high frequency signal is a low orbit RF signal processing method of converting using a high frequency quadrature mixer.
14. The method of claim 13,
The step of distributing the 4-channel transmission signal comprises distributing the frequency-converted RF signal by applying the Wilkinson distribution structure to the 4-channel transmission signal.
14. The method of claim 13,
The step of adjusting the phase and size,
Phase shift and Pi (size adjustment using π, loss compensation amplifier according to each design is used, and the phase shift is 5.625° per 1 bit, total 6bit/354.375° phase is adjusted, and for phase adjustment, size adjustment is per 1 bit) The size is adjusted to a total of 6bit/31.5dB at 0.5dB, and the loss compensation amplifier performs transmission line loss compensation and characteristic impedance matching according to the phase shift and size adjustment design, and is modeled with the parasitic capacitance of the loss compensation amplifier transistor. RF signal processing method of low-orbit satellites to have broadband frequency response characteristics through positioning and tuning of inductor values at both ends.
14. The method of claim 13,
The step of providing to the transmitting array antenna comprises:
RF signal processing method for low orbit satellites that amplifies high power using RF VGA (Variable Gain Amplifier), DA (Drive Amplifier), and PA (Power amplifier) so that it can operate in the space ministry environment by applying the radiation immunity structure.
delete 14. The method of claim 13,
The step of detecting the output level comprises:
An RF signal processing method of a low-orbit satellite that detects the transmission output level of the high-power amplifier through an RF signal coupler using a root mean square (RMS) method.
14. The method of claim 13,
In the controlling step, using the external GUI and SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) communication to provide BIT (Built-In Test) information for the output level value and the detected temperature value, the RF signal processing method of the low orbit satellite .
14. The method of claim 13,
The power supply device, the RF signal processing method of the low orbit satellite is composed of a BGR (Band-Gap Reference) and LDO (Low Drop-Out).

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