JP6950480B2 - High frequency power synthesizer management method and line short circuit cap - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a management method for a high frequency power synthesizer and a line short circuit cap for use in the management method.

In recent years, due to the increase in in-vehicle radars and wireless communication terminals, the number of devices equipped with high-frequency power synthesizers is increasing. Further, among the high-frequency power synthesizers, the transformer type high-frequency power synthesizer is the most popular because the required power can be easily obtained with a simple configuration (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional transformer type high frequency power synthesizer. As shown in FIG. 5, the high-frequency power combiner 100 includes input ports 11-1 to 11-n corresponding to n power amplifiers PA1 to PAn, transmission lines 21-1 to 21-n, and a synthesis point 31. And an impedance conversion line 41 and an output port 51.

Further, the transmission lines 21-1 to 21-n are connected to corresponding input ports, and their respective electric lengths are set to L. The impedance conversion line 41 connects the synthesis point 31 and the output port 51. In the following, when any power amplifier is indicated, it is simply referred to as "power amplifier PA", and when any input port is indicated, it is simply referred to as "input port 11", and any transmission line is used. Is simply expressed as "transmission line 21".

Further, in the high-frequency power combiner 100 shown in FIG. 5, the high-frequency power output from each of the n power amplifiers PA1 to PAn is input to the corresponding input port 11 and then passes through the transmission line 21 for synthesis. It is synthesized at point 31. The combined high-frequency power is impedance-converted from the synthesis point 31 via the impedance conversion line 41, and then output from the output port 51.

By the way, in the high frequency power combiner 100 shown in FIG. 5, if any of the power amplifiers PA fails and is used as it is, wraparound power is generated at the failed port and the output of the combined high frequency power decreases. Resulting in. In addition, reflected power is generated in ports other than the failed port, which causes a malfunction in a normal power amplifier.

As a method for solving such a problem, as shown in FIG. 6, the transmission line 21 is set from the input port 11 of the high-frequency power combiner 100 to the synthesis point 31, that is, the transmission line 21 is set to 1 of the wavelength of the input power. It can be mentioned that it is composed of an electric length that is an integral multiple of / 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a case where one of the power amplifiers fails in the high frequency power combiner shown in FIG. With the configuration shown in FIG. 6, by removing the failed power amplifier and opening its input port, the reflected power can be minimized and the high-frequency power synthesizer 100 can be continuously used.

In the high-frequency power synthesizer 100, when the electric length of the transmission line 21 is made an odd multiple of 1/4 of the input wavelength, the reflected power becomes maximum. Therefore, in the high-frequency power combiner 100, an integer of 1/2 of the input wavelength as much as possible while preventing the electric length of the transmission line 21 from being an odd multiple of 1/4 of the input wavelength so that total reflection does not occur. It needs to be doubled.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-28923

By the way, as shown in FIG. 6, the electric length of the transmission line 21 is set to an integral multiple of 1/2 of the wavelength of the input power, but the wavelength (frequency) of the input power may not be constant. Therefore, when the wavelength of the input power is changed, it is necessary to change the electric lengths of all the transmission lines 21 according to the changed wavelengths, but it is extremely difficult to change the electric lengths of the transmission lines 21. ..

An example of an object of the present invention is a high-frequency power synthesizer management method and a line short circuit that can solve the above-mentioned problems and suppress the generation of reflected power even when the wavelength of the input power changes in the high-frequency power synthesizer. To provide a cap.

In order to achieve the above object, the management method of the high-frequency power synthesizer in one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of input ports corresponding to each of the plurality of power amplifiers, and each of the plurality of power amplifiers via the input port. A synthesis point that synthesizes the input high-frequency power, an impedance conversion line that impedance-converts the synthesized high-frequency power transmission line, and an output port that outputs the high-frequency power via the impedance-converted transmission line. It is a management method of a high-frequency power synthesizer equipped with
(A) A line short-circuit cap provided with a transmission line and capable of varying the electrical length of the transmission line when any of the plurality of power amplifiers is removed from the corresponding input port. To the input port to which the removed power amplifier was connected, with one end of the transmission line connected to it, step and
(B) A step of short-circuiting the other end of the transmission line of the line short-circuit cap, and
have,
It is characterized by that.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the line short-circuit cap according to one aspect of the present invention is a line short-circuit cap that can be attached to the input port of a high-frequency power combiner having a plurality of input ports corresponding to each of the plurality of power amplifiers. And
It has a transmission line that is formed so that one end can be connected to the input port and the electrical length can be changed.
It is characterized by that.

As described above, according to the present invention, in the high-frequency power synthesizer, it is possible to suppress the generation of reflected power even when the wavelength of the input power changes.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a high-frequency power synthesizer to be managed in the embodiment of the present invention. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are explanatory views illustrating a management method of a high-frequency power synthesizer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and each shows a series of main steps. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the electrical length from the short-circuit point to the synthesis point when the line short-circuit cap is attached to the input port of the high-frequency power synthesizer in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the line short-circuit cap according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional transformer type high frequency power synthesizer. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a case where one of the power amplifiers fails in the high frequency power combiner shown in FIG.

(Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the management method of the high-frequency power synthesizer and the line short-circuit cap according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[Management method]
First, the high-frequency power synthesizer to be managed in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a high-frequency power synthesizer to be managed in the embodiment of the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the high-frequency power synthesizer 10 to be managed in the present embodiment has the same configuration as the high-frequency power synthesizer 100 shown in FIG. The high-frequency power synthesizer 10 includes input ports 1-1 to 1-n corresponding to each of n power amplifiers PA1 to PAn, a synthesis point 3, an impedance conversion line 4, and an output port 5.

Of these, the synthesis point 3 synthesizes high-frequency power input from each of the power amplifiers PA1 to PAn via the input port. The impedance conversion line 4 connects the synthesis point 3 and the output port 5, and impedance-converts the combined high-frequency power transmission line. The output port 5 outputs high-frequency power via an impedance-converted transmission line.

Further, in the example of FIG. 1, the input ports 1-1 to 1-n are connected to the synthesis point 3 via the corresponding transmission lines 2-1 to 2-n, respectively. Further, the electric length of each of the transmission lines 2-1 to 2-n is set to L. In the following, when any power amplifier is indicated, it is simply referred to as "power amplifier PA", and when any input port is indicated, it is simply referred to as "input port 1", and any transmission line is used. Is simply expressed as "transmission line 2".

According to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, in the high-frequency power combiner 10, the high-frequency power output from each of the n power amplifiers PA1 to PAn is input to the corresponding input port 1 and then passes through the transmission line 2. , Combined at synthesis point 3. The combined high-frequency power is impedance-converted from the synthesis point 3 via the impedance conversion line 4, and then output from the output port 5.

For example, assuming that the characteristic impedance of each transmission line 2 is Z [Ω] and the electrical length is L, the characteristic impedance at the synthesis point 3 is Z [Ω] / n. Further, in this case, the impedance conversion line 4 executes impedance conversion from Z [Ω] / n to Z [Ω].

Then, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the power amplifier PAi fails. In this case, power is generated from the other power amplifiers PA1 to PA (i-1) and PAs (i + 1) to PAan in normal operation to the failed power amplifier PAi. Further, reflected power is generated in the power amplifiers PA1 to PA (i-1) and PA (i + 1) to PAn in normal operation.

Subsequently, the management method of the high-frequency power synthesizer in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are explanatory views illustrating a management method of a high-frequency power synthesizer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and each shows a series of main steps.

First, in the high-frequency power synthesizer 10 shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the power amplifier PAi fails as described above. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2A, the administrator of the high-frequency power synthesizer 10 temporarily stops the operation of the high-frequency power synthesizer 10 and removes the failed power amplifier PAi from the input port 1-i. .. i is a natural number less than or equal to n.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the administrator of the high-frequency power synthesizer 10 attaches a line short-circuit cap 6 provided with a transmission line to the input port 1-i to which the removed power amplifier PAi is connected. , Install so that one end of the transmission line is connected to input port 1-i. Further, in the line short-circuit cap 6, the electric length Li of the transmission line can be changed as described later. Subsequently, the administrator of the high-frequency power synthesizer 10 short-circuits the other end of the transmission line of the attached line short-circuit cap 6. In FIG. 2B, 7 indicates a short circuit point.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the administrator has a high frequency that the electric length from the short-circuit point 7 to the synthesis point 3 at the other end of the transmission line of the line short-circuit cap 6 is output by the power amplifier PA. The electric length of the transmission line is set so that it is an odd multiple (L + Li = (2N-1) λ / 4) of a quarter of the wavelength λ of the power. L is the length of the electrical length from the short-circuit point 7 to the synthesis point 3 excluding the electrical length Li of the line short-circuit cap 6. Therefore, even if a part of the power amplifier PA fails, the high frequency power synthesizer 10 can be used while minimizing the reflected power. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the electrical length from the short-circuit point to the synthesis point when the line short-circuit cap is attached to the input port of the high-frequency power synthesizer in the embodiment of the present invention.

Further, in the present embodiment, the line short-circuit cap 6 is configured so that the electric length Li of the transmission line can be changed. Therefore, even if the wavelength λ of the input power changes, the generation of reflected power can be suppressed. The specific configuration of the line short-circuit cap 6 will be described later with reference to FIG.

Further, in the present embodiment, instead of the line short-circuit cap 6, a plurality of line short-circuit caps having a fixed electric length Li may be used. In this case, the electrical length Li of each line short-circuit cap is different and is set so that L + Li = (2N-1) λ / 4 according to the corresponding frequency.

That is, in this embodiment, since the line short-circuit cap is prepared for each frequency, the administrator selects an appropriate line short-circuit cap according to the frequency of the high-frequency power output by the power amplifier PA, and selects the line short-circuit. Attach the cap to input port 1-i to which the removed power amplifier PAi was connected.

Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of open caps may be used instead of the line short-circuit cap 6. In this case, the electric length Li of each open cap is different and is set so that L + Li = Nλ / 2.

[Structure of line short-circuit cap]
Subsequently, the configuration of the line short-circuit cap in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the line short-circuit cap according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the line short-circuit cap 6 is formed so as to be attached to the input port 1 of the high-frequency power synthesizer 10, and includes a transmission line at which one end can be connected to the input port 1. Further, the line short-circuit cap 6 is formed so that the electric length of the transmission line can be changed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the line short-circuit cap 6 includes a first conductor 61, a second conductor 62, and a third conductor 63. The first conductor 61 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The second conductor 62 is formed in a rod shape that can penetrate the inside of the cylinder of the first conductor 61. The third conductor 63 holds the second conductor 62 in a state of penetrating the first conductor 61 to conduct the first conductor 61 and the second conductor 62.

Further, in the line short-circuit cap 6, the transmission line is formed by the first conductor 61, the third conductor 63, and the second conductor 62. Then, any end of the second conductor 62 becomes one end of the transmission line, and the outer surface of the portion of the first conductor 61 in contact with the third conductor 63 becomes the other end (short circuit point 7). Further, since the third conductor 63 can slide about the first conductor 61 as an axis, the electric length of the transmission line can be changed by changing the position of the third conductor 63.

As described above, according to the line short-circuit cap 6 shown in FIG. 4, the position of the short-circuit point 7 can be adjusted by sliding the third conductor 63. Specifically, it is assumed that the electric length from the short-circuit point 7 to the synthesis point 3 is an odd multiple ((2N-1) λ / 4) of a quarter of the wavelength λ of the high-frequency power output by the power amplifier PA. .. In this case, in consideration of the electric length L of the transmission line, the position of the third conductor 63 is such that the electric length Li of the line short-circuit cap 6 itself is ((2N-1) × λ / 4-L). It will be adjusted.

[Effect in the embodiment]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the electric length of the transmission line of the high-frequency power synthesizer 10 can be changed by the line short-circuit cap, it does not depend on the frequency of the high-frequency power, and when the power amplifier fails. The generated reflected power can be suppressed. Further, since the electric length of the transmission line 2 of the high-frequency power synthesizer 10 may be any electric length, the electric length of the transmission line 2 can be shortened, and the high-frequency power synthesizer 10 can be miniaturized.

Further, changing the length of the transmission line 2 is extremely difficult because it is necessary to change the internal structure of the high-frequency power synthesizer 10, and costs are incurred. On the other hand, since the electric length of the transmission line of the line short-circuit cap 6 can be easily changed, it is not necessary to replace the transmission line 2 itself, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, since the line short-circuit cap is only inserted into the input port 1, it is not necessary to secure a dedicated space in the high-frequency power combiner 10 for the line short-circuit cap. Further, as in the conventional case, when the input port is open, a problem of high frequency power leakage occurs, but this problem is solved in the present embodiment.

As described above, according to the present invention, in the high-frequency power synthesizer, it is possible to suppress the generation of reflected power even when the wavelength of the input power changes. The present invention is useful in various fields in which high frequency power synthesizers are used.

1-1-1-n Input port 2-1-2-n Transmission line 3 Synthesis point 4 Impedance conversion line 5 Output port 6 Line short-circuit cap 7 Short-circuit point 10 High-frequency power combiner PA1 to PAn Power amplifier 61 First conductor 62 Second conductor 63 Third conductor

Claims (4)

A plurality of input ports corresponding to each of the plurality of power amplifiers, a synthesis point for synthesizing high-frequency power input from each of the plurality of power amplifiers via the input port, and a combined transmission line of the high-frequency power. It is a management method of a high-frequency power synthesizer including an impedance conversion line for impedance conversion and an output port for outputting the high-frequency power via the impedance-converted transmission line.
(A) A line short-circuit cap provided with a transmission line and capable of varying the electrical length of the transmission line when any of the plurality of power amplifiers is removed from the corresponding input port. To the input port to which the removed power amplifier was connected, with one end of the transmission line connected to it, step and
(B) A step of short-circuiting the other end of the transmission line of the line short-circuit cap, and
have,
A method of managing a high-frequency power synthesizer, which is characterized by the fact that. (C) The electric length of the transmission line so that the electric length from the other end of the transmission line to the synthesis point is an odd multiple of a quarter of the wavelength of the high-frequency power output by the plurality of power amplifiers. To set, have more steps,
The method for managing a high-frequency power synthesizer according to claim 1. A line short-circuit cap that can be attached to the input port of a high-frequency power synthesizer having a plurality of input ports corresponding to each of the plurality of power amplifiers.
It has a transmission line that is formed so that one end can be connected to the input port and the electrical length can be changed.
A line short-circuit cap characterized by that. With the first cylindrical conductor,
A rod-shaped second conductor that can penetrate the inside of the first conductor,
A third conductor is provided, which holds the second conductor in a state of penetrating the first conductor and conducts the first conductor and the second conductor.
The transmission line is formed of the first conductor, the third conductor, and the first conductor.
By changing the position of the third conductor, the electric length is variable.
The line short-circuit cap according to claim 3.

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