RU155263U1 - FOUR CHANNEL TWO BAND MODULE OF AN ACTIVE PHASED ANTENNA ARRAY - Google Patents

Abstract

A four-channel dual-band module of the active phased antenna array, including four independent transceiver channels and a common power and control unit for them, while the microwave nodes of the transceiver channels form a structure with mirror symmetry relative to two mutually perpendicular planes passing through the longitudinal axis of the module, characterized in that all the transceiver channels have a two-level layout of their microwave nodes, while the first channel levels contain microwave nodes of the first frequency range, p located in the cells made in the module case, and the second channel levels contain microwave nodes of the second frequency range located on separate base plates installed for the cells for each channel, in addition, the power and control unit is made of one assembly unit and is located in the central part module.

Description

The utility model relates to the field of radar technology, in particular to active phased antenna arrays (AFAR).

The prior art receiving, transmitting and transmitting modules with a planar arrangement of several identical microwave (microwave) channels in a single housing. As a rule, such designs make it possible to solve the problems of economy with respect to the overall dimensions of the modules and the entire AFAR system as a whole. This is especially true in relation to on-board systems and systems requiring the use of powerful transmitting devices.

The closest in technical essence and the achieved results to the claimed technical solution is an active phased array antenna module (RF Patent No. 2380803, IPC H01Q 21/00, published in 2010), including four independent transceiver channels and a control unit. All microwave nodes, as well as individual control nodes of each channel, form a structure with mirror symmetry with respect to two mutually perpendicular planes passing through the longitudinal axis of the module, while the common control, power and protection nodes are located in the middle part of the module and have an asymmetric design.

In the design of this four-channel module, each transceiver channel consists of microwave nodes, as well as individual control, power and protection nodes. All assembly units are placed on two base plates, while the transmitting channels are pairwise placed on the outer surfaces of the base plates, and the receiving channels are pairwise located on the inner surfaces of the base plates. Individual control, power and protection units are also located on the internal surfaces of the base plates. The common control unit for the module from three fragments (assembly units) includes assemblies of storage capacitors that provide pulse operation of the transmitting channels, as well as nodes for stabilizing the supply voltage, nodes for monitoring and protection. Thus, the control and power circuits common to all channels are concentrated in the control unit, which completely occupies the middle part of the module.

A significant drawback of this design is that the transceiver channels are placed on the base plates in pairs, which makes it difficult to individually configure each channel individually. In addition, the need to dismantle one channel always entails the dismantling of the adjacent channel, which complicates the process of tuning the module as a whole and does not provide good maintainability.

In relation to the on-board equipment, a high density of the arrangement of elements and units of the AFAR module in the allocated volume is required.

The technical result of the claimed utility model is aimed at creating a four-channel dual-band AFAR module, which allows placing microwave nodes of two frequency ranges in its housing while maintaining the principle of symmetry of the transceiver channels, as well as improving the manufacturability of the assembly and tuning of the module with a high level of maintainability.

The achievement of the technical result is provided by a change in the design of the closest analogue. Unlike the prototype, all transceiver channels have a two-level layout of their microwave nodes. In this case, the first channel levels contain microwave nodes of the first frequency range, located in the cells made in the module body, and the second channel levels contain microwave nodes of the second frequency range, placed on separate base plates installed for the cells above each cell. In addition, the power and control unit is made by one assembly unit and is located in the central part of the module.

The essence of the claimed utility model is illustrated by drawings, which show:

FIG. 1 is a general view of a four-channel dual-band active phased array antenna module;

FIG. 2 is a section AA in FIG. one;

FIG. 3 is a general view of the module explaining the assembly principle.

The four-channel dual-band AFAR module (Figs. 1-3) contains four independent transceiver channels of the same structure operating in two frequency ranges, and a power and control unit common to all channels. The microwave nodes of the transceiver channels form a structure with mirror symmetry relative to two mutually perpendicular planes passing through the longitudinal axis of the module (Fig. 2).

All module transceiver channels have a two-level layout of their microwave nodes. In this case, the first channel levels contain microwave nodes of the first frequency range 1 (Fig. 2, 3), and the second channel levels contain microwave nodes of the second frequency range 2 (Fig. 1-3). Microwave nodes of the first frequency range 1 are located in cells 3 (Fig. 2, 3), made in the housing 4 (Fig. 1-3), and for each channel include power amplifiers of the first range, a decoupling device and a power limiter. Microwave nodes of the second frequency range 2 are placed on separate for each channel base plates 5 (Fig. 2, 3) installed above cells 3. Each of the base plates 5 contains second-range power amplifiers, an isolation device, a power distribution and control device as well as input and output frequency separation devices. Frequency separation devices ensure the operation of power amplifiers of the first and second frequency ranges for a single load, while their use made it possible to exclude mechanical microwave switches having low reliability. The power supply and control unit 6 is made by one assembly unit (in the form of a single board) and is located in the central part of the module between cells 3 with microwave nodes of the first frequency range 1 (Fig. 2, 3). The power supply and control unit 6 provides pulsed operation of the transmitting channels and stabilization of the supply voltage. The implementation of the power supply and control unit 6 in the form of a single board located in the central part increases the manufacturability of the module assembly as a whole. To seal the entire volume of the module, covers 7 (Figs. 1-3), sealed around the perimeter, are installed above and below. The base plates 5 are located above the cells 3 of the housing 4 with the distance between the microwave nodes 1 and 2 of the first and second frequency ranges necessary for the correct operation of the microstrip microwave lines, which in turn can significantly reduce the spread of the electrodynamic characteristics of the transceiver channels. In addition, the base plate 5 play the role of heat sinks for microwave transistors of power amplifiers.

The assembly of the four-channel dual-band AFAR module is as follows (Fig. 3).

A power supply and control unit 6 is installed between the cells 3 in the module housing 4 of the module, after which the microwave nodes of the first frequency range 1 are installed symmetrically at the top and bottom in the cells 3 with the formation of the first levels of the transceiver channels. Then, above the cells 3, four base plates 5 with microwave nodes of the second frequency range 2 are also symmetrically mounted above and below the cells 4 with the formation of the second levels of the transceiver channels. All assemblies with microwave nodes are securely fixed in cells 3 of the housing 4 and on the base plates 5, for example, with screws. The base plates 5 and the power supply and control board 6 are also fixed in the housing with 4 screws. After that, two covers 7 are installed above and below, which are sealed around the perimeter, providing sealing of the entire volume of the module.

Thus, the two-level layout of the microwave nodes allows you to maximize the use of the internal volume of the module without a noticeable increase in its dimensions and significantly increases the manufacturability of the assembly and configuration at different stages of its manufacture. The placement of the microwave nodes of the first frequency range 1 in cells 3 of the housing 4, and the microwave nodes of the second frequency range 2 on separate base plates 5 for each channel, provides independent access to the channels and allows autonomous tuning of power amplifiers of each range, autonomous assembly and functional check of an individual channel in two frequency ranges. The power amplifiers of each range are isolated at the input and output using frequency separation devices and a decoupling device, which increases the stability of the input and output signals at operating frequencies, and in turn allows for high repeatability of the parameters during setup and ease of assembly of the module as a whole.

If it is necessary to dismantle the transceiver channel, the adjacent channel is not affected, which simplifies module configuration and maintenance operations. Therefore, the convenience of dismantling the transceiver channels provides a high level of maintainability of the module. At the same time, the principle of mirror symmetry of channels, ensuring the uniformity of their implementation and tuning, is preserved.

Comparing the energy and weight and size characteristics of the created module and prototype, the following can be noted.

The created module at operating frequencies has an output pulse power in each channel from 500 W to 760 W with a radio pulse duration of 0.5 μs and an equivalent duty cycle of 178. The noise figure of the receiving channels is less than 6 dB, the module weight is 3.0 kg, the volume is 2.3 l .

The prototype at the upper frequency of the working frequency band of 1.5 GHz has an output pulse power of each channel of 250 W with a pulse duration of 10 μs and a duty cycle of 80. The noise figure of the receiving channels is less than 6 dB, the module weight is 2.8 kg, the volume is 2.2 l.

Thus, the specific total impulse power per unit volume for the prototype is approximately 450 W / l., And for the created module approximately 1000 W / l. If we make a comparison for the average output power, then for the prototype it will be 5.6 W / l, and for the created module 6.15 W / l. It follows that in these parameters the created module is superior to the prototype. But since the radio-pulse modes of operation of the modules are different, the comparison data are carried out very conditionally.

Claims (1)

A four-channel dual-band module of the active phased antenna array, including four independent transceiver channels and a common power and control unit for them, while the microwave nodes of the transceiver channels form a structure with mirror symmetry relative to two mutually perpendicular planes passing through the longitudinal axis of the module, characterized in that all the transceiver channels have a two-level layout of their microwave nodes, while the first channel levels contain microwave nodes of the first frequency range, p located in the cells made in the module case, and the second channel levels contain microwave nodes of the second frequency range located on separate base plates installed for the cells for each channel, in addition, the power and control unit is made of one assembly unit and is located in the central part module.

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