Methods and apparatuses for interfacing microwave circuits
An apparatus for interfacing with an RF/microwave subsystem is provided. The apparatus includes a printed circuit board that includes: a controller, and a connector constructed to provide control signals and power signals to a subsystem in accordance with instructions from the controller, and a mechanical interface constructed to provide a mechanical connection between the subsystem and the printed circuit board.
1. An apparatus for interfacing with a subsystem, comprising:
a printed circuit board;
a controller disposed on the printed circuit board;
a complex programmable logic device disposed on the printed circuit board and communicatively connected to the controller, the complex programmable logic device comprising a plurality of reconfigurable logic gates and a plurality of registers;
a connector disposed on the printed circuit board, the connector comprising a plurality of pins to exchange control signals and power signals,
wherein the plurality of pins includes a plurality of reconfigurable interconnect pins, and
wherein a first subset of the plurality of reconfigurable interconnect pins are connected to the complex programmable logic device and the controller, and
wherein a second subset of the plurality of reconfigurable interconnect pins are connected to the complex programmable logic device;
an RF/Microwave connector connected to the printed circuit board and constructed to send and receive radio frequency and microwave signals; and
a mechanical interface constructed to provide a mechanical connection between the subsystem and the printed circuit board.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
an interface communicatively connected to the controller and constructed to send and receive instructions and data from another system.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the interface is a USB interface.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising:
a second interface communicatively connected to the controller and constructed to send and receive instructions and data.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the second interface is a multi-pin remote interface.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the multi-pin remote interface is communicatively connected to a low voltage differential signaling integrated circuit.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein a portion of the low voltage differential signaling integrated circuit is communicatively connected to the complex programmable logic device.
8. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the multi-pin remote interface is communicatively connected to a RS-485 integrated circuit.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the low voltage differential signaling integrated circuit is constructed to transmit a trigger signal directly to the complex programmable logic device, and the complex programmable logic device is configured to perform a firmware configurable function in response to the trigger signal.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical interface is a plate connected to the printed circuit board.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising:
a subsystem component mechanically connected to the plate and electrically connected to the connector.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the subsystem component is mechanically fastened to the plate by a fastener connected to a hole of a plurality of holes in the plate.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the RF/Microwave connector is a 3U VPX connector comprising P0 connectors, P1A connectors, P1B connectors, and a 3U VPX VITA 67.2 connector, and is constructed to connect to a VPX compliant system.