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 connector connected to the printed circuit board and constructed to provide control signals and power signals to a subsystem in accordance with instructions from the controller;
an RF/Microwave connector connected to the printed circuit board and constructed to send and receive radio frequency and microwave signals to and from a VPX complaint system;
a power regulator disposed on the printed circuit board; and
a linear regulator disposed on the printed circuit board, wherein the power regulator and the linear regulator are constructed to provide power for the power signals.
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 , further comprising:
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, and
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 7 , 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.
9. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the multi-pin remote interface is communicatively connected to an RS-485 integrated circuit.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a mechanical interface constructed to provide a mechanical connection between the subsystem and the printed circuit board,
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 connector.