Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – With particular circuit
Patent
1993-10-08
1995-08-29
Eldred, J. Woodrow
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
With particular circuit
342 74, 342374, 333101, 333104, 333108, 333109, G01S 1300
Patent
active
054464641
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF TEE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a transceiver module for the high frequency domain including at least a transmission path having an HF power amplifier, a receive path having a low-noise receiving amplifier, and a transmit/receive switch which permits switching from the transmit path to the receive path.
2. Description of the Related Art
In many high frequency applications, for example in the radar art, it is necessary to selectively couple a transmission path, which generally includes one or a plurality of high frequency (HF) power amplifiers, or a highly sensitive receiving path to a common transmit/receive path, for example a radar antenna. For this purpose a transmit/receive switch is employed which is also called a T/R switch or duplexer.
The radar art frequently employs a circulator for this purpose. Such a circulator has the drawback that it is mechanically sensitive, particularly to high accelerations, for example impact or shock, and additionally has an often insufficient, small operating temperature range. A circulator has a relatively large volume so that an often required small and lightweight structure, for example within the framework of an integrated structure, is not possible. If, for example, a radar system is intended to transmit and/or receive circularly polarized radiation, two circulators are required, which is a drawback, and they must additionally be arranged as far apart from one another as possible in order to prevent bothering magnetic couplings between them. Moreover, a circulator is an expensive component so that its use leads to disadvantageously high costs, particularly in phased array antennas.
As an alternative, it is possible to employ a so-called SPDT (single pole double throw) switch. A drawback with an SPDT switch is that it can be used only for small transmitting powers, that is, up to about 1 W, and moreover does not provide protection for the transmission path against unduly high reflected HF powers received, for example, by a radiator element.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an arrangement of this type which is particularly suitable for medium to high transmitting powers, is mechanically robust, has a small volume, and can be integrated on a (circuit carrier) substrate in a cost-effective manner.
This is accomplished with a transceiver module having a transmit/receive switch configured as a 3 dB directional coupler, with the receive path of the module being connected to a decoupled gate of the 3 dB directional coupler, wherein the transmission path of the module includes at least two HF power amplifiers which together with the transmit/receive switch constitute a balanced amplifier, an HF switch, which is used to short-circuit the HF output, disposed at each output of the HF power amplifiers, a switching means, provided with which the transmission path and the receive path, which can be selectively switched to be operational, and wherein the HF switches are coupled with the switching means. Advantageous embodiments and/or modifications are defined as follows.
A first advantage of the invention is that already tested HF components of favorable cost can be utilized so that cost-effective and reliable industrial fabrication becomes possible.
A second advantage is that good and stable transmit/receive characteristics are available over a large operating temperature range from, for example, -55.degree. C. to +120.degree. C.
A third advantage is that a transceiver module up to a transmitting power of, for example, 12 W can be integrated on a carrier substrate, such as a ceramic substrate, in such a small space and at such favorable cost that it can be used to manufacture in a cost-efficient manner particularly an antenna array that is mechanically robust, has a low weight, and may include up to several thousand individual phased radiators.
A fourth advantage is that the arrangement can be configured substantially with planar circuitry.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embod
REFERENCES:
patent: 4701724 (1987-10-01), Martin
Patent Abstracts of Japan; vol. 8, No. 176 (E-260), Aug. 14th, 1984 & JP,A,59070323 (Mitsubishi Denki KK), Apr. 20th, 1984.
GaAs IC Symposium Technical Digest 13; Oct. 1987, Portland, Oreg.; pp. 147-148, G. H. Nesbit et al., "Monolithic Transmit/receive switch for millimeter-wave application".
IGARSS '90, International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium; May 20th, 1990, Md., pp. 2325-2328, XP146728; A. P. Luscombe "Internal Calibration of the Radarsat Synthetic Aperture Radar".
Deutsche Aerospace AG
Eldred J. Woodrow
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