Порожнини проти спіральних фільтрів у бездротових відеозв’язках

Порожнини проти спіральних фільтрів у бездротових відеозв’язках

In wireless video transmission systems—especially COFDM-based transmitters and receivers used for drones, правоохоронці, and surveillance—the RF filter is one of the most important components that determines the overall signal quality. Two of the most common types used are cavity filters і helical filters. Both serve to pass the desired frequency band and suppress out-of-band interference, but their structure, виконання, and suitable applications differ significantly.

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1. Appearance and Structural Differences

Cavity Filters (腔体滤波器) use one or more resonant metal cavities as frequency-selective elements. The resonant frequency depends on the physical dimensions of each cavity.

• Зовнішній вигляд: Cavity filters usually look like metal blocks or rectangular enclosures with connectors (Вища школа, N-тип, or TNC) on each side. They often include tuning screws on top for fine frequency adjustment.
• Size and weight: Because they rely on physical cavities, they are relatively large and heavy, especially at lower frequencies.

Helical Filters (спіральний фільтр) are built from coiled conductors—metallic helices—mounted inside a metal shield. Each helix acts as a resonator, and coupling between adjacent helices determines the bandwidth.

• Зовнішній вигляд: Маленький, cylindrical or rectangular modules with tuning screws at the top. Often shielded in aluminum or brass housings.
• Розмір: Compact and lightweight, ideal for portable or airborne devices.

From the outside, cavity filters look like solid metallic boxes used in base stations, while helical filters are smaller modules that can be directly mounted on a PCB or inside lightweight transmitters.

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2. Performance Comparison

Особливість	Cavity Filter	Helical Filter
Діапазон частот	100 МГц – 6 ГГц	100 МГц – 1 ГГц (typ.)
Insertion Loss	0.3–1 dB (low)	1–2 dB (medium)
Selectivity / Rejection	Very high	Moderate
Power Handling	Високий (up to tens of watts)	Низький (внизу 5 W)
Розмір & Вага	Larger, heavier	Компактний, світло
Temperature Stability	Excellent	Moderate
Cost	Higher	Опускатися

Cavity filters are chosen when high isolation, low loss, і temperature stability are crucial—such as in professional ground stations or long-range receivers.
Helical filters are used when compactness and weight are the main concerns, like in drone-mounted transmitters or portable receivers.

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3. Application in Wireless Video Systems

In COFDM wireless video transmission systems, filters are installed both on the transmitter і приймач to improve spectral purity and system stability.

• Transmitter Side

After the power amplifier (PA), a band-pass filter is used to eliminate unwanted harmonics and spurious emissions.

• For compact drone transmitters, the helical filter is preferred because it is small, світло, and provides sufficient harmonic suppression.
• For high-power base transmitters, the cavity filter offers better power handling and higher isolation.

• Receiver Side

At the receiver front end, a pre-select filter blocks strong out-of-band signals before they enter the LNA (low-noise amplifier).

• Helical filters are adequate for portable receivers.
• Cavity filters are ideal for professional or fixed ground receivers where interference rejection and long-term stability are critical.

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4. Which to Choose for a ±2 MHz Bandwidth

When the system requires a narrow passband, як от ±2 MHz (total 4 МГц), both filter types can work, but the choice depends on performance goals.

• Helical Filter: Suitable for narrowband frequencies (Напр., 520–524 MHz). It provides moderate insertion loss and adequate rejection in small size.
• Cavity Filter: Recommended if the system demands sharp selectivity (≥40 dB rejection) or operates under wide temperature ranges. Cavity filters offer better long-term stability for narrowband COFDM systems.

Наприклад:

• Drone transmitter at 522 MHz ±2 MHz → Helical filter (компактний, світло).
• Ground receiver → Cavity filter (high isolation, reliable in outdoor conditions).

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5. Customization and Design Options

When customizing filters for a wireless video transmitter or receiver, the following specifications are usually required:

1. Center Frequency: Напр., 522 МГц
2. Пропускна здатність: Напр., ±2 MHz (4 MHz total)
3. Insertion Loss: Напр., ≤1.0 dB for cavity, ≤2.0 dB for helical
4. Out-of-Band Rejection: Напр., ≥40 dB at 460 МГц & 590 МГц
5. Імпеданс: 50 Ω input/output
6. Тип роз'єму: Вища школа, N-тип, or customized interface
7. Power Handling: Depending on output power (Напр., 1 W, 5 W, 10 W)
8. Робоча температура: -40°C to +85°C
9. Mechanical Dimensions: For PCB or external mount

Manufacturers can adjust:

• The number of resonators (typically 2–6 stages).
• The cavity size or helix pitch to match desired bandwidth and rejection.
• The housing material (aluminum, brass, or stainless steel) for different applications.

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6. Summary Table

Застосування	Recommended Filter	Reason
Drone video transmitter	Helical filter	Компактний, легкий
Portable ground receiver	Helical filter	Balanced performance
Base station receiver	Cavity filter	High selectivity, low loss
High-power transmission	Cavity filter	Superior power handling
Narrowband ±2 MHz system	Cavity or Helical	Depends on size vs. rejection trade-off

Both filters play a vital role in ensuring clean and reliable video transmission. Choosing the right one depends on whether your priority is size and weight або selectivity and stability.

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7. FAQ

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Заключні думки

Selecting between a cavity filter і а helical filter is a balance between performance and practicality. For long-range, high-power, or professional receiving systems, cavity filters deliver unmatched stability and selectivity. For compact, airborne, or low-power COFDM transmitters, helical filters remain the most efficient and economical choice.

A properly chosen and tuned RF filter not only ensures compliance with local frequency regulations but also guarantees stable, interference-free wireless video transmission—whether on the ground or in the air.