KR20230114522A - Method and Apparatus for Controlling Pulse Timing of Transmission Signal Generator - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a pulse timing control method of a transmission signal generator and an apparatus therefor.
An apparatus for controlling pulse timing according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a parameter setting unit configured to set system parameters for each amplification module for generating a transmission signal; a timing calculator calculating at least one timing for applying the operating voltage of each amplification module based on each of the system parameters; a timing control signal generation unit configured to generate a timing control signal for each of the at least one amplification module based on the at least one timing; and a timing controller for each module that controls an output signal to be output from each of the amplifying modules using the timing control signal.

Description

Method and Apparatus for Controlling Pulse Timing of Transmission Signal Generator

The present invention relates to a pulse timing control method for pulse shaping in a transmission signal generator and an apparatus therefor.

The contents described in this section simply provide background information on the embodiments of the present invention and do not constitute prior art.

In a typical radar system, a device that generates a transmission signal generates a fixed timing of an operation signal (applying an operating voltage) to amplify a pulse signal for generating a transmission signal, and applies the generated timing collectively to generate a transmission signal. (Fig. 1 (a)). That is, pulse waveform amplification is performed by applying a fixedly set margin time to an operation signal according to a predetermined timing. An amplification module operation for amplifying a pulse waveform in a transmission signal generator may generally be used by applying a pulse to a gate signal.

In addition, in a general amplifier driving method for a signal (RF) pulse, the gate (Gate) or drain (Drain) voltage is longer than the actual signal (RF) length by giving a margin time to the pulse length so that the signal can be sufficiently amplified. .

Referring to (b) of FIG. 1, the same allowance time is applied during timing operations for a waveform generation module, a drive amplification module, a high power amplification module, etc. for generating a transmission signal. In this conventional method, since the same timing is applied without considering signal delay, it is difficult to correct errors and standards when manufacturing a plurality of systems.

In addition, since the existing driving method applies the same allowance time to the amplification module (AMP) on the system collectively, if the fixed allowance time is used as in the conventional method, the pulse compared to the continuous wave due to the nature of the amplification module If it is operated in the form, noise increases and system performance deterioration problem occurs.

In the conventional driving method, when a signal (IF) pulse is initially generated, a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) is used, and a physically ideal square wave cannot be generated. The rise time and fall time of the actual waveform are not 0 seconds, and distortion and unwanted signals occur at the beginning and end of the pulse due to the overlap of sinusoidal waves. In addition, in the conventional driving method, when the length of the signal (RF) pulse is short, the ratio of the desired frequency component to the undesired frequency component is high, making it difficult to satisfy the frequency interoperability performance.

The present invention relates to a device for controlling the pulse timing of a radar transmission signal, and includes at least one timing for setting system parameters for each amplification module and applying an operating voltage of each amplification module based on each set system parameter. The main object is to provide a pulse timing control method of a transmission signal generator for generating a timing control signal by calculating and a device therefor.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a pulse timing control device for achieving the above object includes a parameter setting unit for setting system parameters for each amplification module for generating a transmission signal; a timing calculator calculating at least one timing for applying the operating voltage of each amplification module based on each of the system parameters; a timing control signal generation unit configured to generate a timing control signal for each of the at least one amplification module based on the at least one timing; and a timing controller for each module that controls an output signal to be output from each of the amplification modules using the timing control signal.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, in the method for controlling the pulse timing in the pulse timing control apparatus for achieving the above object, the pulse timing control method includes system parameters for each amplifying module for generating a transmission signal. Parameter setting step to set; a timing calculation step of calculating at least one timing for applying an operating voltage of each amplification module based on each of the system parameters; a timing control signal generation step of generating a timing control signal for each of the at least one amplification module based on the at least one timing; and a timing control step for each module using the timing control signal to control an output signal from each of the amplification modules to be output.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, a transmission signal generating apparatus for generating a radar-based transmission signal for achieving the above object includes a waveform generating module for generating a baseband signal necessary for radar operation; a frequency upconversion module for converting the baseband signal into an RF signal; a driving amplification module that amplifies the RF signal to a level capable of high-power amplification; a high-power amplification module for additionally amplifying the amplified RF signal according to predetermined required performance and design; and at least one timing setting a system parameter for each of the at least one amplification module among the waveform generation module, the drive amplification module, and the high power amplification module, and applying an operating voltage of each amplification module based on each of the system parameters. A control module that calculates, generates a timing control signal for each of the at least one amplification module based on the at least one timing, and controls an output signal to be output from each of the amplification modules using the timing control signal. can do.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to individually control the pulse operation in various systems composed of a plurality of amplification modules, and through this, there is an effect that each shape of the pulse waveform can be modified.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of improving the performance of interoperability (frequency interference test), which has recently increased in importance, through the effect of improving the unwanted wave of the frequency spectrum and suppressing noise by modifying the shape of the pulse waveform. .

In addition, the present invention has an effect that can be applied to the system without re-performing the software reliability test by deriving and applying parameter values through a simple test even when many identical systems are produced.

1 is a diagram for explaining a conventional timing control operation for pulse generation.
2 is a schematic block diagram of a transmission signal generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram for explaining a pulse timing control operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a schematic block diagram of a pulse timing control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a pulse timing control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an exemplary view showing a pulse timing control result according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating performance of each module for setting system parameters according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a diagram showing a performance test result based on pulse timing control according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. In addition, although preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited or limited thereto and can be modified and implemented in various ways by those skilled in the art. Hereinafter, a pulse timing control method of a transmission signal generator proposed in the present invention and an apparatus therefor will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Frequency interoperability performance standards of radio frequency systems are determined according to pulse shapes (eg pulse width, rise time, fall time, bandwidth) in radar systems. Recently, as the requirements of radar have increased, it has become necessary to generate a high-power pulse signal of 0.1us or less, and an additional method besides the existing method is required to satisfy the frequency interoperability performance of the radio frequency system of the signal.

In addition, in order to produce a large number of products in a real system, performance improvement must be achieved without software modification to produce a large number of systems. When the invention proposed in the present invention is applied, frequency spectrum performance and noise signals can be suppressed by deriving and applying parameter values through a simple test without software modification. In addition, when the invention proposed in the present invention is applied, the operating signal of the AMP can be applied to individual units of system components, and the performance of the conventional frequency spectrum (unwanted wave and noise level) can be improved. As the length of the waveform is shorter, it is more difficult to generate a waveform of a desired length. When the present invention is applied, it is easy to generate a desired waveform through control of each operating amplification module.

In addition, in the past, RF amplification for pulse waveforms was performed using a constant gate signal regardless of the shape of the pulse and the length of the pulse, but in the present invention, the amplification module that operates the pulse is individually amplified by considering the delay time of each component. It can be controlled and the gate signal can be changed variably without re-executing the software reliability test.

2 is a schematic block diagram of a transmission signal generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The transmission signal generator 200 according to the present embodiment includes a waveform generation module 210, a frequency upconversion module 220, a driving amplification module 230, a high power amplification module 240, and a control module 250. . The transmission signal generator 200 of FIG. 2 is according to an embodiment, and all blocks shown in FIG. 2 are not essential components, and some blocks included in the transmission signal generator 200 in another embodiment are added. , may be changed or deleted.

The transmission signal generator 200 means a device that generates a transmission signal to be output through an antenna in a radar system.

The transmission signal generator 200 may be a part of a radar system, and may further include a component for generating a transmission signal or a component for radar transmission.

The waveform generation module 210 generates a baseband signal (Intermediate Frequency (IF) signal) required for radar operation. The waveform generation module 210 transfers the generated baseband signal to the frequency upconversion module 220 .

The frequency upconversion module 220 converts the baseband signal into an RF signal by upconverting the frequency.

The driving amplification module 230 amplifies the RF signal to a level capable of high-power amplification.

The high power amplification module 240 further amplifies the amplified RF signal according to predetermined required performance and design.

The control module 250 performs overall control of the waveform generation module 210, the frequency upconversion module 220, the drive amplification module 230, the high power amplification module 240, and the control module 250.

In particular, the control module 250 sets system parameters for each of at least one amplification module among the waveform generation module 210, the driving amplification module 230, and the high power amplification module 240. Thereafter, the control module 250 calculates at least one timing for applying the operating voltage of each amplification module based on each system parameter, and based on the at least one timing, a timing control signal for each at least one amplification module. is generated, and the output signal is outputted from each amplification module using a timing control signal.

3 is a diagram for explaining a pulse timing control operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The transmission signal generator 200 generates a pulse signal IF in the waveform generator module 210, converts the generated pulse signal IF into an RF signal, and according to a timing operation, the waveform generator module 210, drive amplification Signal amplification is performed in the module 230, the high power amplification module 240, and the like.

During timing operation, the control module 250 of the transmission signal generator 200 applies the spare time of the ① section, ② section, ③ section, and ④ section according to the characteristics of each module, and the waveform generation module 210, the driving amplification module ( 230), the high power amplification module 240, etc., so that signal amplification is performed.

The control module 250 may individually change the timing for each amplification module using the input system parameter value.

Through the timing control of the control module 250, the transmission signal generator 200 can consider the signal delay for each amplification module, and can correct errors and standards when manufacturing multiple systems. In addition, the transmission signal generator 200 changes system parameter values and can be operated by applying to a radar system without software modification.

4 is a schematic block diagram of a pulse timing control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The pulse timing control device 400 according to the present embodiment includes a parameter setting unit 410, a timing calculation unit 420, a timing control signal generation unit 430, a timing control unit 440 for each module, and a parameter feedback processing unit 450. includes The pulse timing control device 400 of FIG. 4 is according to an embodiment, and all blocks shown in FIG. 4 are not essential components, and some blocks included in the pulse timing control device 400 in another embodiment are added. , may be changed or deleted.

The pulse timing control device 400 calculates the pulse timing for each of the at least one amplification module included in the transmission signal generator 200, and performs pulse shaping of each of the at least one amplification module using the pulse timing. pulse timing control for

In FIG. 4, the pulse timing control device 400 is described as being a separate device from the transmission signal generator 200, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and the control module 250 included in the transmission signal generator 200 and It may be a hardware module included in the same device or control module 250 . In addition, the pulse timing control device 400 may be implemented as software performing the same function and installed in the control module 250 .

The parameter setting unit 410 sets system parameters for each amplification module for generating a transmission signal.

The parameter setting unit 410 sets system parameters for each of at least one amplification module among the waveform generation module 210, the drive amplification module 230, and the high power amplification module 240 in the transmission signal generator 200. .

The parameter setting unit 410 includes an operating voltage time for signal output (IF signal or RF signal) for each of the at least one amplification module, a first operating margin time of the entire operating voltage time interval, and a second operating voltage interval after the operating voltage time. You can set system parameters including operation slack time. Here, the operating voltage means a voltage for operating the amplification module, and is preferably a gate voltage of the amplification module, but may also be a drain voltage depending on the amplification module.

System parameters set in the parameter setting unit 410 are configured based on parameter values previously set to correspond to the type of amplification module, parameter values set differently according to the connection order of amplification modules, and parameter values set according to user input. It can be.

The timing calculation unit 420 calculates at least one timing for applying the operating voltage of each amplification module based on each system parameter.

In other words, the timing calculation unit 420 calculates the timing (time interval) at which the operating voltage is applied for signal output of each amplification module based on each system parameter.

The timing calculator 420 may calculate the timing for each amplification module by summing the operating voltage time, the first operating margin time, and the second operating margin time included in the system parameters.

On the other hand, when the priority of each amplification module is set, the timing calculation unit 420 assigns different weights according to the priorities, and the operating voltage time included in the system parameter, the first operating margin time, and the second operating margin are included. The timing for each amplification module can be calculated by applying a weight to each time and summing them. Here, the same weight may be applied to each of the operating voltage time, the first operating margin time, and the second operating margin time of one amplification module, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and the operating voltage duration of one amplification module and the first operating margin time Different weights may be applied to each of the time and the second operation margin time.

The timing control signal generator 430 generates a timing control signal for each of the at least one amplification module based on at least one timing.

The timing control signal generator 430 may generate at least one timing control signal by applying different timings calculated for each of the at least one amplification module.

The timing control signal generation unit 430 generates at least one timing control signal by applying timing calculated based on the first operating margin time and the second operating margin time of different time values.

The timing control unit 440 for each module uses a timing control signal to control an output signal to be output from each amplification module.

The module-specific timing controller 440 transmits each of at least one timing control signal to at least one amplification module among the waveform generation module 210, the drive amplification module 230, and the high power amplification module 240, respectively. Here, it is preferable that each of the at least one timing control signal is a timing control signal generated at different timings.

The timing controller 440 for each module outputs an output signal from each amplifying module according to different timing control signals.

An output signal output from each amplification module by the timing control signal of the timing controller 440 for each module is preferably one of an IF (Intermediate Frequency) signal and an RF (Radio Frequency) signal, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The parameter feedback processing unit 450 receives an output signal for each of the at least one amplification module, compares the output signal with a preset performance reference value, and generates parameter feedback information.

The parameter feedback processing unit 450 may determine whether to reset the system parameters for each of the at least one amplification module based on the parameter feedback information.

The parameter feedback processing unit 450 maintains the current system parameters when the measured value of the output signal is equal to or greater than the performance reference value. Meanwhile, the parameter feedback processing unit 450 may control the parameter setting unit 410 to set (reset) a new system parameter based on the parameter feedback information when the measured value of the output signal is less than the performance reference value.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a pulse timing control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The pulse timing control device 400 sets system parameters for each amplification module for generating a transmission signal (S510).

The pulse timing control device 400 sets system parameters for each of at least one amplification module among the waveform generation module 210, the drive amplification module 230, and the high power amplification module 240 in the transmission signal generator 200. do. The pulse timing control device 400 includes an operating voltage time for signal output (IF signal or RF signal) for each of the at least one amplification module, a first operating margin time of the entire operating voltage time section, and a second section after the operating voltage time. 2 You can set system parameters including operating time.

The pulse timing control device 400 calculates at least one timing for applying the operating voltage of each amplification module based on each system parameter (S520). The pulse timing control device 400 may calculate the timing for each amplification module by summing the operating voltage time, the first operating margin time, and the second operating margin time included in the system parameters.

The pulse timing control device 400 generates a timing control signal for each of the at least one amplification module based on at least one timing (S530).

The pulse timing control device 400 may generate at least one timing control signal by applying different timings calculated for each of the at least one amplification module. The pulse timing control device 400 generates the at least one timing control signal by applying timing calculated based on the first operation allowance time and the second operation allowance time of different time values.

The pulse timing control device 400 controls the timing of each module so that an output signal is output from each amplification module using the timing control signal (S540).

The pulse timing control device 400 transmits each of at least one timing control signal to at least one amplification module among the waveform generation module 210, the driving amplification module 230, and the high power amplification module 240, respectively. Here, it is preferable that each of the at least one timing control signal is a timing control signal generated at different timings.

The pulse timing control device 400 outputs an output signal from each amplifying module according to different timing control signals.

The pulse timing control device 400 receives an output signal for each of the at least one amplification module, compares the output signal with a preset performance reference value, and generates parameter feedback information.

The pulse timing control device 400 may determine whether to reset the system parameters for each of the at least one amplification module based on the parameter feedback information (S550).

The pulse timing control device 400 maintains the current system parameters when the measured value of the output signal is equal to or greater than the performance reference value. Meanwhile, the pulse timing control apparatus 400 may control a new system parameter to be set (reset) based on parameter feedback information when the measured value of the output signal is less than the performance reference value.

In FIG. 5, each step is described as sequentially executed, but is not necessarily limited thereto. In other words, since it will be applicable to changing and executing the steps described in FIG. 5 or executing one or more steps in parallel, FIG. 5 is not limited to a time-series sequence.

The pulse timing control method according to the present embodiment described in FIG. 5 may be implemented as an application (or program) and recorded on a recording medium readable by a terminal device (or computer). Any type of recording device in which an application (or program) for implementing the pulse timing control method according to the present embodiment is recorded and a recording medium readable by a terminal device (or computer) stores data that can be read by a computing system. or medium.

6 is an exemplary view showing a pulse timing control result according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 (a) shows the output waveform of the waveform generating module 210. Referring to (a) of FIG. 6, the timing period 612 of the timing control signal for the waveform generation module 210 is compared with the waveform of the output signal 610 of the waveform generation module 210, the operating margin period ( 614, 616). Here, each of the operation spare time sections 614 and 616 may be formed with different time sizes based on system parameters for the waveform generation module 210 .

6(b) shows an output waveform of the driving amplification module 230. Referring to (b) of FIG. 6, the timing period 622 of the timing control signal for the driving amplification module 230 is compared with the waveform of the output signal 620 of the driving amplification module 230, the operation margin period ( 624, 626). Here, each of the operation spare time intervals 624 and 626 may be formed with different time sizes based on system parameters for the driving amplification module 230 .

6(c) shows an output waveform of the high power amplification module 240. Referring to (c) of FIG. 6, the timing period 632 of the timing control signal for the high power amplification module 240 is an operation margin period when compared with the waveform of the output signal 630 of the high power amplification module 240 ( 634, 636). Here, each of the operation spare time intervals 634 and 636 may be formed with different time sizes based on system parameters for the high power amplification module 240 .

7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating performance of each module for setting system parameters according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The pulse timing control device 400 sets system parameters for each amplification module for generating a transmission signal.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , the pulse timing control device 400 includes the waveform generation module 210, the drive amplification module 230, the high power amplification module 240, and the like in the transmission signal generator 200. System parameters may be set based on preset parameter values.

Meanwhile, the pulse timing control device 400 may set system parameters with different parameter values according to the connection order of amplifying modules, parameter values set according to user input, and the like.

8 is a diagram showing a performance test result based on pulse timing control according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8(a) shows an output signal generated based on the conventional fixed timing control, and Figure 8(b) shows an output signal generated based on the individual timing control of the present invention.

The present invention can improve unwanted waves in the frequency spectrum through individual timing control and improve interoperability (frequency interference test) performance through noise suppression.

The above description is only illustrative of the technical idea of the embodiment of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the embodiment of the present invention pertains may make various modifications and modifications within the scope not departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiment of the present invention. transformation will be possible. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the embodiment of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical idea of the embodiment of the present invention is not limited by these examples. The protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention should be construed according to the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

200: transmission signal generator
210: waveform generation module 220: frequency upconversion module
230: drive amplification module 240: high power amplification module
250: control module
400: pulse timing control device 410: parameter setting unit
420: timing calculation unit 430: timing control signal generation unit
440: timing control unit for each module 450: parameter feedback processing unit

Claims (13)

In the device for controlling the pulse timing,
a parameter setting unit for setting system parameters for each amplification module for generating a transmission signal;
a timing calculator calculating at least one timing for applying the operating voltage of each amplification module based on each of the system parameters;
a timing control signal generation unit configured to generate a timing control signal for each of the at least one amplification module based on the at least one timing; and
Module-specific timing control unit for controlling output signals from each of the amplifying modules using the timing control signal
Pulse timing control device comprising a. According to claim 1,
The parameter setting unit,
Pulse timing control device, characterized in that for setting the system parameter for each of the amplification module of at least one of a waveform generation module, a driving amplification module and a high power amplification module. According to claim 2,
The parameter setting unit,
Setting the system parameters including an operating voltage time for signal output for each of the amplification modules, a first operating margin time of a section before the operating voltage time, and a second operating margin time of a section after the operating voltage time Pulse timing control device to be. According to claim 3,
The timing calculator,
The pulse timing control device of claim 1 , wherein a timing for each amplifying module is calculated by adding up the operating voltage time, the first operating margin time, and the second operating margin time included in the system parameter. According to claim 4,
The timing control signal generator,
and generating at least one timing control signal by applying different timings calculated for each of the at least one amplification module. According to claim 5,
The timing control signal generator,
and generating the at least one timing control signal by applying the timing calculated based on the first operating margin time and the second operating margin time of different time values. According to claim 1,
The module-specific timing control unit,
Transmit different timing control signals to each of the amplification modules of at least one of a waveform generation module, a drive amplification module, and a high power amplification module, and output signals from each of the amplification modules according to the different timing control signals,
The pulse timing control device, characterized in that the output signal is one of an intermediate frequency (IF) signal and a radio frequency (RF) signal. According to claim 1,
and a parameter feedback processing unit configured to receive the output signal and compare the output signal with a preset performance reference value to generate parameter feedback information. According to claim 8,
The parameter feedback processing unit,
Pulse timing control device, characterized in that for determining whether to reset the system parameters for each of the at least one amplification module based on the parameter feedback information. A method for controlling pulse timing in a pulse timing control device,
A parameter setting step of setting system parameters for each amplification module for generating a transmission signal;
a timing calculation step of calculating at least one timing for applying an operating voltage of each amplification module based on each of the system parameters;
a timing control signal generation step of generating a timing control signal for each of the at least one amplification module based on the at least one timing; and
Timing control step for each module to control output signals from each of the amplifying modules using the timing control signal
Pulse timing control method comprising a. According to claim 10,
In the parameter setting step,
Setting the system parameters for each of the amplification modules of at least one of a waveform generation module, a drive amplification module, and a high power amplification module,
Setting the system parameters including an operating voltage time for signal output for each of the amplification modules, a first operating margin time of a section before the operating voltage time, and a second operating margin time of a section after the operating voltage time A pulse timing control method. According to claim 11,
The timing calculation step,
Calculate a timing for each of the amplification modules by summing the operating voltage time, the first operating margin time, and the second operating margin time included in the system parameter;
The pulse timing control method of claim 1 , wherein the timing control signal generation unit generates at least one timing control signal by applying different timings calculated for each of the at least one amplification module. In the apparatus for generating a radar-based transmission signal,
A waveform generation module for generating a baseband signal required for radar operation;
a frequency upconversion module for converting the baseband signal into an RF signal;
a driving amplification module that amplifies the RF signal to a level capable of high-power amplification;
a high-power amplification module for additionally amplifying the amplified RF signal according to predetermined required performance and design; and
At least one timing for setting system parameters for each of at least one amplification module among the waveform generation module, the drive amplification module, and the high power amplification module, and applying an operating voltage of each amplification module based on each of the system parameters A control module that calculates, generates a timing control signal for each of the at least one amplification module based on the at least one timing, and controls output signals from each of the amplification modules by using the timing control signal.
A transmission signal generator comprising a.

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