JPH08184663A - Radar transceiver - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] The objective is to effectively block unwanted signals from the antenna when the automatic noise level control circuit is operating, and to improve the accuracy of the gain setting of the receiving system. [Configuration] RF in the active transceiver module M _n with amplification and phase adjusting function of the transmitting and receiving signals (Radi
RF low noise amplifier 4 that amplifies the signal (Frequency) and RF from the active transceiver module M _n
Signal amplification and IF (Intermediate Fr)
RF front end 1 for converting to "equency" signal
An RF low noise amplifier 8 for amplifying an RF signal from the active transceiver module M _n , an automatic noise level control circuit 12 which serves to prevent signal noise level fluctuation by keeping the gain of a receiving system circuit constant, and an active transceiver module. It is composed of a power source 13 for the RF low noise amplifier 4 and the RF low noise amplifier 8 constituting the RF front end, and a switch module 14 for turning on / off the power source 13.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic noise level control circuit (Automatic Noise Leveli).
ng, hereinafter referred to as an ANL circuit), the present invention relates to a radar transceiver configured to effectively block an unnecessary signal input from an antenna.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional device of this type is shown in FIG. In the figure, the active transceiver module M _n from M ₁ having the amplification and phase adjusting function of the transmitting and receiving each signal, 1 is amplified and IF (Intermediate Fr signals from the active transceiver module M _n
RF (Radio F) that converts to an "equency" signal
front end, 2 an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, 3 a circulator for switching transmission / reception, 4 an RF low noise amplifier for amplifying an RF signal from the circulator 4, 5 a circulator for switching transmission / reception, 6 a circulator 5 RF high-power amplifier for amplifying the RF signal of the RF signal, 7 is a phase shifter for changing the phase of the RF signal from the circulator 5 and the RF front end 2, and 8 is the RF from the active transceiver module M _n in the RF front end 1. R to amplify the signal
F low noise amplifier, 9 is a mixer that constitutes the RF front end 1, 10 is a local signal generator that gives a local signal to the mixer 9, 11 is an IF amplifier that amplifies the signal from the RF front end 1, and 12 is An ANL circuit (Automatic Noise) that plays a role of preventing fluctuations in signal noise level by keeping the gain of the receiving system circuit constant
Leveling).

Next, the operation will be described. The RF reception signals input to the active transmission / reception module M _n are amplified and phase adjusted, and the output signals from the respective active transmission / reception modules are combined and input to the RF front end 1. Here, it is amplified and IF-converted, and again amplified by the IF amplifier 11 connected to the output side thereof. This I
ANL circuit 12 connected to the output side of the F amplifier 11
As a result, it is possible to prevent the reception system gain from varying and the signal noise level to vary, because the performance of the electrical component or the like changes with temperature.

[0004]

The conventional radar transceiver as described above has the following problems. That is, in order to prevent the ANL noise from fluctuating due to the AGC / STC voltage, the AGC noise is detected during the ANL noise detection time.
The C voltage is kept at 0V. Therefore, when a strong jamming is received at the time of this detection, the ANL circuit cannot detect only the normal reception noise, resulting in an incorrect reception system gain setting. Note that the AGC voltage is S in order to reduce tracking error or tracking error due to changes in signal level.
TC voltage to prevent receiver saturation in search mode,
Each is applied.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a transceiver for radar that effectively blocks unnecessary signals received by an antenna when the ANL circuit is operating.

[0006]

In the transceiver for radar according to the first embodiment, a power supply for applying a voltage to an RF low noise amplifier which constitutes an active transceiver module and an RF low noise amplifier which constitutes an RF front end. Is cut off during the operation of the ANL circuit to minimize the influence of unwanted signals such as jamming signals and clutter signals.

In the radar transceiver according to the second embodiment, jamming is performed by shutting off the input signal to the power supply for applying the voltage to the RF low noise amplifier constituting the active transceiver module and the RF front end when the ANL circuit is operating. This is to minimize the influence of unnecessary signals such as signals and clutter signals.

In the radar transceiver according to the third embodiment, the local signal to the power source for applying the voltage to the RF low noise amplifier constituting the active transceiver module and the mixer for constituting the RF front end is cut off when the ANL circuit is activated. By doing so, the influence of unwanted signals such as jamming signals and clutter signals is minimized.

[0009]

In the transceiver for radar according to the first embodiment,
When the ANL circuit is activated, the power supply that applies voltage to the RF low-noise amplifier that constitutes the active transceiver module and the RF low-noise amplifier that constitutes the RF front end is cut off, so there is no need for jamming signals, clutter signals, etc. input to the receiving system. The signal is suppressed, and the accuracy of the reception system gain setting is improved.

In the transceiver for radar according to the second embodiment, when the ANL circuit is operating, the power supply for applying a voltage to the RF low noise amplifier constituting the active transceiver module and the input signal to the RF front end are cut off. Unwanted signals such as jamming signals and clutter signals input to the receiving system are suppressed, and the accuracy of the receiving system gain setting is improved.

In the radar transceiver according to the third embodiment, when the ANL circuit is in operation, the power source for applying a voltage to the RF low noise amplifier constituting the active transceiver module and the local signal to the mixer constituting the RF front end are supplied. Since the signal is cut off, unnecessary signals such as jamming signals and clutter signals input to the reception system are suppressed, and the accuracy of the reception system gain setting is improved.

[0012]

【Example】

Example 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, M _{1 to} M _n and 1 to 12 are shown in FIG. Reference numeral 13 denotes an RF low noise amplifier 4 and an RF front end 1 which constitute an active transceiver module M _n.
, 14 is a switch module for turning on / off the power source 13, 14-S
Reference numeral 1 is a first switch for turning on / off the power source to the RF low noise amplifier 4, 14-S2 is a second switch for turning on / off the power source to the RF low noise amplifier 8, 15 is the switch module 14, and the ANL circuit 12 is operated. This is an ANL actuation signal indicating that the operation is being performed.

The operation of the first embodiment will be described. A
When the NL circuit 12 operates, unwanted signals such as jamming signals and clutter signals received by the antenna 2 pass through the RF low noise amplifier 4, the RF front end 1 and the IF amplifier 11 and are input to the ANL circuit 12, where they are properly processed. Since it is impossible to detect only the received noise, it is possible to prevent an incorrect gain setting and to enable accurate automatic noise level control. That is, the ANL activation signal 1 from the ANL circuit 12
5 the first switch 1 in the switch module 14
RF that turns off the 4-S1 and the second switch 14-S2, thereby configuring the active transceiver module 1.
R constituting the low noise amplifier 4 and the RF front end 1
F The voltage to the low noise amplifier 8 is cut off. Therefore, the unnecessary signal is significantly suppressed, and in the ANL circuit 12,
Only the noise generated by the receiving system can be detected.

Example 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, M _{1 to} M _n and 1 to 12 are shown in FIG. Reference numeral 13 denotes a power source for the RF low noise amplifier 4 which constitutes the active transmission / reception module M _n , and 1
Reference numeral 4 is a switch module for turning on / off an RF signal from the power supply 13 and the active transmission / reception module 1 to the RF front end 2. Reference numeral 14-S1 is an RF low noise amplifier 4
Switch 14-S2 is a second switch for turning on / off the RF signal from the active transceiver module M _n to the RF front end 2, 15-
Is an ANL activation signal that informs the switch module 14 that the ANL circuit 13 is operating.

The operation of the second embodiment will be described. A
When the NL circuit 12 operates, unwanted signals such as jamming signals and clutter signals received by the antenna 2 pass through the RF low noise amplifier 4, the RF front end 1 and the IF amplifier 11 and are input to the ANL circuit 12, where they are properly processed. Since it is impossible to detect only the received noise, it is possible to prevent an incorrect gain setting and to enable accurate automatic noise level control. That is, the ANL activation signal 1 from the ANL circuit 12
The switch 14-S1 and the second switch 14-
S2 is turned off, whereby the voltage and RF to the RF low noise amplifier 4 forming the active transceiver module M _n
Cut off the signal. Therefore, the unnecessary signal is significantly suppressed, and the ANL circuit 12 can detect only the noise generated by the receiving system.

Embodiment 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, M _{1 to} M _n and 1 to 12 are shown in FIG. Reference numeral 13 denotes a power source for the RF low noise amplifier 4 which constitutes the active transmission / reception module M _n , and 1
4 is an RF from the power source 13 and the local signal generator 10.
A switch module for turning on / off a local signal to the mixer 9 constituting the front end 1, 14-S1 is a first switch for turning on / off the power source to the RF low noise amplifier 4, and 14-S2 is from the local signal generator 10. A second switch for turning on / off a local signal to the mixer 9 constituting the RF front end 1, and 15 is an ANL operation signal for informing the switch module 14 that the ANL circuit 12 is operating.

The operation of the third embodiment will be described. A
When the NL circuit 12 operates, unwanted signals such as jamming signals and clutter signals received by the antenna 2 pass through the RF low noise amplifier 4, the RF front end 1 and the IF amplifier 11 and are input to the ANL circuit 12, where they are properly processed. Since it is impossible to detect only the received noise, it is possible to prevent an incorrect gain setting and to enable accurate automatic noise level control. That is, the ANL activation signal 1 from the ANL circuit 12
5 turns off the first switch 14-S1 and the second switch 14-S2, and thereby the voltage to the RF low-noise amplifier 4 and the local signal generator 10 from the RF front-end 1 forming the active transceiver module M _n. The local signal to the mixer 9 constituting the above is cut off. Therefore, the unnecessary signal is significantly suppressed, and the ANL circuit 13 can detect only the noise generated by the receiving system.

[0018]

According to the first, second and third embodiments, as described above, unnecessary signals such as jamming signals when the ANL circuit is operating can be ignored as compared with the conventional radar transceiver. Therefore, there is an effect that the ANL circuit is properly operated and the setting accuracy of the reception system gain is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a radar transceiver according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a radar transceiver according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a radar transceiver according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional radar transceiver.

[Explanation of symbols]

M _n active transceiver module, 1 RF front end, 2 antennas, 3 circulator, 4 RF
Low noise amplifier, 5 circulator, 6 RF high output amplifier, 7 phaser, 8 RF low noise amplifier, 9 mixer, 10 local signal generator, 11 IF amplifier, 1
2 ANL circuit, 13 power supply, 14 switch module, 14-S1 first switch, 14-S2 second switch, 15 ANL activation signal.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An active transmission / reception module having a transmission / reception function for use in an active phased array radar, an RF (Radio Frequency) signal which is a combined output of the active transmission / reception module, and an IF (Intermediate Freq).
RF front end for converting to an RF signal, an IF amplifier for amplifying the output signal of the RF front end, and an output side of this amplifier, which prevents fluctuations in the reception gain and fluctuations in the noise level of the signal. An automatic noise level control circuit, a power supply for applying a voltage to an RF low noise amplifier constituting the active transceiver module, a local signal generator for providing a local signal to a mixer constituting the front end, and the active transceiver module A radar transceiver comprising: a first switch for turning on / off a power source to the RF low noise amplifier, and a second switch for turning on / off a power source to the RF low noise amplifier in the RF front end. 2. An active transmission / reception module having a transmission / reception function for use in an active phased array radar, an RF (Radio Frequency) signal which is a composite output of the active transmission / reception module, and an IF (Intermediate Freq).
RF front end for converting to an RF signal, an IF amplifier for amplifying the output signal of the RF front end, and an output side of this amplifier, which prevents fluctuations in the reception gain and fluctuations in the noise level of the signal. An automatic noise level control circuit, a power supply for applying a voltage to an RF low noise amplifier constituting the active transceiver module, a local signal generator for providing a local signal to a mixer constituting the front end, and the active transceiver module A radar transceiver, comprising: a first switch for turning on / off a power supply to an RF low noise amplifier, and a second switch for turning on / off an RF signal to a front end. 3. An active transmission / reception module having a transmission / reception function for use in an active phased array radar, an RF (Radio Frequency) signal which is a composite output of the active transmission / reception module, and an IF (Intermediate Freq).
RF front end for converting to an RF signal, an IF amplifier for amplifying the output signal of the RF front end, and an output side of this amplifier, which prevents fluctuations in the reception gain and fluctuations in the noise level of the signal. An automatic noise level control circuit, a power supply for applying a voltage to an RF low noise amplifier constituting the active transceiver module, a local signal generator for providing a local signal to a mixer constituting the front end, and the active transceiver module A radar transceiver, comprising: a first switch for turning on / off a power source to an RF low noise amplifier, and a second switch for turning on / off a local signal to a front end.