Antenna Device and Measurement Method

Abstract

The present invention provides an antenna device and a measurement method. The antenna device includes an anechoic chamber (50) having an internal space (51) unaffected by the surrounding radio wave environment. The antenna device further includes: a reflector (7) housed in the internal space and having a predetermined parabolic surface of rotation, through which wireless signals transmitted or received by the test object antenna (110) of the test object (100) are reflected; a plurality of antennas (6) corresponding to wireless signals of a plurality of measurement object frequency bands for measuring the transmission and reception characteristics of the test object; and antenna configuration members (60, 60A, 60B, 80) that, according to the measurement object frequency band, sequentially configure the plurality of antennas at a predetermined focal position (F) away from the parabolic surface of rotation.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with the application date of October 10, 2019, the application number of 201910957153.8, and the invention name of "Antenna device and measurement method". TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to an antenna device and a measurement method for measuring transmission and reception characteristics of a device under test using an OTA (Over The Air) environment and a plurality of measurement antennas. BACKGROUND

[0003] In recent years, with the development of multimedia, wireless terminals (smartphones, etc.) equipped with wireless communication antennas such as cellular, wireless LAN, etc. are mass-produced. In the future, wireless terminals corresponding to wireless signals of IEEE802.11ad or 5G cellular, etc. that transmit and receive wideband signals using millimeter waves are particularly required.

[0004] In a wireless terminal manufacturing factory, the wireless communication antenna possessed by the wireless terminal is measured for the output level of the transmission wave or the reception sensitivity prescribed for each communication standard, and a performance test is performed to determine whether it satisfies the prescribed reference.

[0005] With the 4G or the evolution from 4G to 5G, the test method of the above performance test is also changing. For example, in a performance test that regards a 5G NR system (New Radio System) wireless terminal (hereinafter, 5G wireless terminal) as a device under test (DUT), the wired connection of the DUT antenna terminal to the test device, which was the mainstream in the test of 4G or 4G evolution, etc. cannot be used, so a so-called OTA test is performed, that is, the DUT and the test antenna are accommodated in a box that is not affected by the surrounding wave environment, and the test signal is transmitted from the test antenna to the DUT and the measured signal from the DUT that received the test signal is received by the test antenna through wireless communication.

[0006] In 5G wireless terminal performance testing, a compact antenna test range (CATR) is known as the test equipment used to achieve the aforementioned OTA test environment. The CATR consists of an anechoic chamber called an OTA chamber, which houses the device under test (DUT) and the test antenna in a manner that prevents intrusion of external radio waves and the emission of radio waves to the outside. Furthermore, the CATR is characterized by the inclusion of a reflector with a parabolic rotating surface in the signal propagation path between the DUT antenna and the test antenna. Compared to not using a reflector, this shortens the signal propagation path, achieving a more compact design, as the name suggests, compared to OTA testing in a conventional far-field environment.

[0007] In a measurement apparatus using CATR, in an OTA anechoic chamber, a test signal is transmitted from a test antenna and received by the DUT, and the test antenna receives the measured signal transmitted by the DUT that has received the test signal to perform the above-mentioned performance test.

[0008] On the other hand, 5G wireless terminals have a wide operating frequency range. When measured as a DUT within a CATR, if a single test antenna cannot provide complete coverage, multiple test antennas using different frequency bands within the usable frequency range are required.

[0009] As a conventional antenna measurement device that uses multiple test antennas, it is known that multiple beams of the same frequency with superimposed different symbols are simultaneously transmitted via a multi-beam antenna, the influence of unwanted waves caused by encoding of multiple beams of the same frequency is suppressed, and all beams transmitted from the multi-beam antenna are measured at the same time (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-147687

[0011] In the aforementioned conventional measurement apparatus using a CATR and multiple test antennas, when measuring the transmit and receive characteristics of the DUT according to each frequency band used by each test antenna, it is necessary to manually replace each test antenna one by one at the focal point of the reflector inside the anechoic chamber. In this case, it is necessary to ensure the location of multiple test antennas inside the anechoic chamber, and also to spend time retrieving one from that location and placing it at the aforementioned focal point, thus increasing the size of the anechoic chamber and the complexity of the test antenna replacement work. Furthermore, in such conventional measurement apparatuses, the measurement must be interrupted when replacing each test antenna, making the measurement process cumbersome.

[0012] In addition, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique of measuring a radio wave emitted from each antenna constituting a multi-beam antenna by reflecting the radio wave with a mirror and a technique of rotating each antenna, but is not a technique of switching each antenna at a focal point position of the mirror. Furthermore, the technique described in Patent Literature 1 is a technique of rotating each antenna only for changing the position of each antenna, and does not become a method of sequentially arranging each antenna at the focal point position of the mirror. SUMMARY

[0013] The present application has been achieved in order to solve such conventional problems, and has an object to provide an antenna device and a measurement method capable of efficiently measuring transmission and reception characteristics of a frequency band corresponding to a plurality of test antennas with respect to a test object, while avoiding enlargement of a radio dark chamber and complication of replacement work of the test antennas.

[0014] In order to solve the above problems, the antenna device according to Technical Solution 1 of the present application is configured to include a radio dark chamber having an internal space not affected by a surrounding radio wave environment, a reflector accommodated in the internal space and having a prescribed parabolic surface through which a radio signal transmitted or received by a test object antenna possessed by a test object is reflected, a plurality of antennas corresponding to a plurality of measurement target frequency bands for measuring transmission and reception characteristics of the test object, and an antenna arrangement member that sequentially arranges the plurality of antennas at a prescribed focal point position from the parabolic surface in accordance with the measurement target frequency bands.

[0015] According to this configuration, the antenna device according to Technical Solution 1 of the present application is provided with the antenna arrangement member in the radio dark chamber, so that the user does not need to perform work of sequentially replacing the plurality of antennas at the focal point position of the reflector in measurement of transmission and reception characteristics of a device under test (DUT). Furthermore, the antenna arrangement member is attached on the basis of the signal propagation path shortened by the provision of the reflector, so that the compactness of the radio dark chamber is not significantly hindered. Furthermore, the work of arranging each antenna at the focal point position can be reduced and measurement of transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT for each measurement target frequency band can be performed without interruption, so that the efficiency of the measurement process can be improved.

[0016] Further, the antenna device according to the technical solution 2 of the present application is configured such that the antenna under test uses a wireless signal of a prescribed frequency band, and the antenna device further includes an analog measurement device that, when one of the plurality of antennas is disposed at the focal point position at a time, outputs a test signal to the object under test via the antenna disposed at the focal point position, and receives a measured signal output from the object under test to which the test signal is input, and measures the transmission and reception characteristics of the measurement target frequency band used by the antenna under test in the disposition, based on the received measured signal.

[0017] According to this configuration, the antenna device according to the technical solution 2 of the present application can smoothly measure the transmission and reception characteristics for the frequency bands of different frequency band groups in the prescribed frequency band with respect to the DUT of the antenna under test that uses a wireless signal of the prescribed frequency band, and does not take much effort in the replacement of the test antenna.

[0018] Further, in the antenna device according to the technical solution 3 of the present application, the prescribed frequency band is a 5G NR baseband, and the plurality of measurement target frequency bands are respectively any one of the frequency bands of the different frequency band groups of n77, n78, and n79; n258, n257; and n259.

[0019] According to this configuration, the antenna device according to the technical solution 3 of the present application can smoothly measure the transmission and reception characteristics for the frequency bands of any one of the frequency band groups of n77, n78, and n79; n258, n257; and n259 with respect to the DUT (5G wireless terminal) of the antenna under test that uses a wireless signal of the 5G NR baseband, and does not take much effort in the replacement of the test antenna.

[0020] Further, the antenna device according to the technical solution 4 of the present application is configured such that the antenna arrangement member automatically operates, and the antenna device includes an antenna holding mechanism in which the respective antennas are arranged on a circumference centered on a rotation axis in a rotation body that is rotatable about the rotation axis, the focal point position is located on the circumference, and the respective antennas are disposed in the internal space of the wave dark box in a manner that passes through the focal point position by rotation of the rotation body; a power section that has a drive motor that rotationally drives the rotation body via the rotation axis; and an antenna automatic arrangement control section that controls the drive motor in a manner that the respective antennas sequentially stop at the focal point position, in accordance with the measurement target frequency band.

[0021] According to the structure, the antenna device of the technical solution 4 of the present application is provided with the antenna holding mechanism on the circumference of the rotation body, and thus the setting space of the antenna holding mechanism can be reduced while maintaining the compactness of the wave dark chamber.

[0022] Further, the antenna device of the technical solution 5 of the present application is provided with the antenna holding mechanism on the bottom surface of the internal space of the wave dark chamber, and is composed of the rotation body rotatable along the horizontal direction through the rotation axis along the vertical direction.

[0023] According to the structure, the antenna device of the technical solution 5 of the present application can prevent the increase of the height of the wave dark chamber by ensuring the setting space of the antenna holding mechanism as the space horizontal to the bottom surface of the internal space of the wave dark chamber.

[0024] Further, the antenna device of the technical solution 6 of the present application is provided with the antenna holding mechanism holding the antennas in a manner that the receiving surfaces of the antennas face the rotation axis side.

[0025] According to the structure, the antenna device of the technical solution 6 of the present application is provided with the antenna holding mechanism on the central part of the bottom surface of the internal space of the wave dark chamber, and thus the diameter of the circumference where the antennas are arranged can be reduced, and the compactness of the antenna holding mechanism and the wave dark chamber can be maintained.

[0026] Further, the antenna device of the technical solution 7 of the present application is provided with the antenna holding mechanism holding the antennas in a manner that the receiving surfaces of the antennas face the side opposite to the rotation axis side.

[0027] According to the structure, the antenna device of the technical solution 7 of the present application is provided with the antenna holding mechanism on the position avoiding the central part of the bottom surface of the internal space of the wave dark chamber, and thus the diameter of the circumference where the antennas are arranged can be reduced, and the compactness of the antenna holding mechanism and the wave dark chamber can be maintained.

[0028] Further, the antenna device of the technical solution 8 of the present application is provided with the antenna holding mechanism holding the antennas in a manner that the receiving surfaces of the antennas are perpendicular to the beam axis of the wireless signal when the antennas are stopped at the focal point position.

[0029] According to the structure, the antenna device of the technical solution 8 of the present application improves the receiving accuracy of the antennas arranged at the focal point position of the reflector, and also improves the measurement accuracy of the transmission and receiving characteristics of the DUT.

[0030] Further, the antenna device according to the present application described in the technical solution 9 is configured such that the antenna holding mechanism is provided on the bottom surface of the internal space of the wave chamber, and is constituted by the rotation body that is rotatable in the vertical direction by the rotation shaft in the horizontal direction.

[0031] According to this configuration, the antenna device according to the present application described in the technical solution 9 is configured such that the space perpendicular to the bottom surface of the internal space of the wave chamber is ensured as the space for providing the antenna holding mechanism, and thus the increase in the width of the wave chamber can be prevented.

[0032] Further, the measurement method according to the present application described in the technical solution 10 is configured such that the antenna device described in any one of the technical solutions 1 to 9 is used, and the measurement method includes: a holding step of holding the test object in the test object holding portion in the wave chamber; an antenna arrangement step of sequentially arranging the plurality of antennas at the focal point position according to a predetermined measurement start instruction and according to the measurement target frequency band; a test signal output step of outputting a test signal to the test object via the antenna arranged at the focal point position by the simulation measurement device; a signal reception step of receiving the measured signal output from the test object to which the test signal is input via the antenna arranged at the focal point position; and a measurement step of measuring the transmission and reception characteristics of the wireless signal of the measurement target frequency band used by the test object with respect to the antenna arranged at the focal point position, based on the measured signal received in the signal reception step.

[0033] According to this configuration, the measurement method according to the present application described in the technical solution 10 is configured such that the antenna device having the wave chamber provided with the antenna arrangement member is used, and thus the user does not need to perform the work of sequentially replacing the plurality of antennas at the focal point position of the reflector in the measurement of the transmission and reception characteristics of the measured object. Further, the antenna arrangement member is attached on the basis of the reflector that shortens the signal propagation path, and thus the compactness of the wave chamber is not significantly hindered. Further, the work of arranging each antenna can be reduced, and the measurement of the transmission and reception characteristics of the measured object of each measurement target frequency band can be performed continuously, and thus the efficiency of the measurement process can be improved.

[0034] Further, the antenna device according to the technical solution 11 of the present application is configured as follows: the antenna arrangement member further has an antenna automatic arrangement control section, the antenna arrangement member automatically operates, the antenna arrangement member includes an antenna holding mechanism (81), a plurality of antenna pedestals (82) each of which has the plurality of antennas mounted thereon, and a power section (87), the antenna holding mechanism includes a sliding mechanism (81a) that holds the plurality of antenna pedestals (82) in a state of being slidable at a prescribed interval along a guide rail, and the antenna automatic arrangement control section controls the power section in such a manner that the respective antennas are sequentially stopped at the focal point position according to the measurement target frequency band.

[0035] Effects of the Invention

[0036] The present application can provide an antenna device and a measurement method that can effectively measure transmission and reception characteristics of a frequency band corresponding to a plurality of test antennas with respect to a test object, while avoiding upsizing of an electric wave dark chamber and complication of replacement work of the test antennas. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an outline structure of a measurement device according to the first embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a functional structure of the measurement device according to the first embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a functional structure of a comprehensive control device of the measurement device according to the first embodiment of the present application.

[0040] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a functional structure of an NR system simulator in the measurement device according to the first embodiment of the present application.

[0041] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining a near field and a far field in electric wave propagation between an antenna AT and a wireless terminal.

[0042] Figure 6 is a diagram showing a signal path structure of a parabolic reflector having a same parabolic surface of rotation as a reflector employed in an OTA dark chamber of the measurement device according to the first embodiment of the present application.

[0043] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a signal path structure of a biased parabolic reflector having a same parabolic surface of rotation as a reflector employed in an OTA dark chamber of the measurement device according to the first embodiment of the present application.

[0044] Figure 8is a chart showing frequency classification of a plurality of test antennas used for measuring transmission and reception characteristics of a DUT in an OTA dark room of a measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present application.

[0045] Figure 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration method of a test antenna in an antenna automatic configuration member of a measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present application.

[0046] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing a process of measuring transmission and reception characteristics of a DUT in a measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present application.

[0047] Figure 11 is a side view showing an outline structure of an antenna automatic configuration member used in an OTA dark room of a measuring device according to a second embodiment of the present application.

[0048] Figure 12 is an outline structure diagram of an antenna automatic configuration member used in an OTA dark room of a measuring device according to a third embodiment of the present application.

[0049] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing an outline structure of an antenna automatic configuration member used in an OTA dark room of a measuring device according to a fourth embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Hereinafter, embodiments of a measuring device and a measuring method according to the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0051] (First Embodiment)

[0052] First, reference will be made to Figures 1-9 The structure of a measuring device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present application will be described. In addition, the measuring device 1 corresponds to an antenna device according to the present application. The measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment has an appearance structure as shown in Figure 1 , and is composed of functional blocks as shown in Figure 2 . In Figure 1 , a configuration method of each constituent element in a state of being seen from the side of an OTA dark room 50 is shown.

[0053] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment has a comprehensive control device 10, an NR system simulator 20, a signal processing section 40, and the OTA dark room 50.

[0054] The integrated control device 10 is connected to the NR system simulator 20, for example, in a manner that enables communication with each other via a network 19 such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like. Also, the integrated control device 10 is connected to the controlled system components in the OTA darkroom 50 via the network 19. The measurement device 1 has the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 and the DUT posture control section 17 as the controlled system components in the OTA darkroom 50.

[0055] The integrated control device 10 is a device that centrally controls the NR system simulator 20 and the controlled system components in the OTA darkroom 50 via the network 19, and is constituted by, for example, a personal computer (PC). In addition, as shown in Figure 3 , the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 and the DUT posture control section 17 can also be provided to the integrated control device 10, for example. Hereinafter, the case where the integrated control device 10 has the structure shown in Figure 3 will be described as an example.

[0056] The measurement device 1 uses, for example, a rack structure 90 having a plurality of racks 90a as shown in Figure 1 , and is used in a manner that each of the components is loaded on each of the racks 90a. In Figure 1 , an example is given in which the integrated control device 10, the NR system simulator 20, and the OTA darkroom 50 are respectively loaded on each of the racks 90a of the rack structure 90.

[0057] Here, for ease of explanation, first, the structure of the OTA darkroom 50 will be described. The OTA darkroom 50 realizes an OTA test environment when a test of a wireless terminal for 5G is performed, and serves as an example of the CATR described above.

[0058] As shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 , the OTA darkroom 50 is constituted by a frame body section 52 of a metal having an internal space 51 of a rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example, and the DUT 100 and a plurality of test antennas 6 that can be opposed to the antenna 110 of the DUT 100 are housed in the internal space 51 in a state of preventing the invasion of an electric wave from the outside and the emission of an electric wave to the outside. A reflector 7 that realizes a wave path that makes a wireless signal emitted from the antenna 110 of the DUT 100 turn back to a light receiving surface of the test antenna 6 is also disposed in the internal space 51 of the OTA darkroom 50. The plurality of test antennas 6 constitute the plurality of antennas in the present application. Also, a wave absorber 55 is attached to the entire area of the inner face of the OTA darkroom 50, that is, the entire surface of the bottom face 52a, the side face 52b, and the upper face 52c of the frame body section 52, so that the emission restriction function of the electric wave to the outside is strengthened. In this way, the OTA darkroom 50 realizes a wave darkroom having the internal space 51 that is not affected by the surrounding electric wave environment. The wave darkroom used in the present embodiment is, for example, an Anechoic type wave darkroom.

[0059] The DUT 100, which is regarded as a test target, is, for example, a wireless terminal such as a smartphone. As a communication standard of the DUT 100, there are cellular (LTE, LTE-A, W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, IxEV-DO, TD-SCDMA, and the like), wireless LAN (IEEE802.11b / g / a / n / ac / ad, and the like), Bluetooth (registered trademark), GNSS (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, and the like), FM, and digital broadcasting (DVB-H, ISDB-T, and the like). Also, the DUT 100 can be a wireless terminal that transmits and receives a wireless signal of a millimeter wave corresponding to IEEE802.11ad or 5G cellular or the like.

[0060] In the present embodiment, the DUT 100 is a 5G NR wireless terminal. With respect to the 5G NR wireless terminal, a predetermined frequency band (refer to "5G NR baseband" in Figure 8 ) other than a millimeter wave, such as LTE, is set as a communicable frequency range in accordance with the 5G NR standard. In summary, the antenna 110 of the DUT 100 is an antenna that seeks a wireless signal of a predetermined frequency band (5G NR baseband). The antenna 110 of the DUT 100 corresponds to the test target antenna in the present application.

[0061] In a 5G NR wireless terminal having the above-described communicable frequency range, for example, at the time of shipment, a structure is taken in which each of the base bands identified by numbers 1, 2, and 3 in the chart shown in Figure 8 ) is set to be communicable, and then, the set usable frequency band can be switched by a prescribed setting change operation. In such a wireless terminal, a base band set to be usable is sometimes referred to as in-band, and a base band not set to be usable is sometimes referred to as out-of-band. When the wireless terminal is used as the DUT 100 and transmission and reception characteristic measurement is performed in an OTA environment in the OTA darkroom 50, it is required to measure all of the in-band and the out-of-band described above.

[0062] Figure 8 is a chart showing a classification of frequency ranges usable by the three test antennas 6 disposed in the OTA darkroom 50 to which the present embodiment is related. As shown in Figure 8The three frequency bands identified by Nos. 1, 2, and 3 are respectively allocated as 3.3 MHz to 5.0 MHz, 24.25 MHz to 40.0 MHz, and 40.5 MHz to 43.5 MHz. The bandwidth of 3.3 MHz to 5.0 MHz allocated to No. 1 corresponds to a group of bandwidths (band group) including, for example, n77, n78, and n79 bands in a well-known 5G NR baseband list specified by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). Similarly, the bandwidths of 24.25 MHz to 29.5 MHz and 40.5 MHz to 43.5 MHz allocated to Nos. 2 and 3 correspond to, for example, a group of bandwidths including n258 and n260 bands and a group of bandwidths including n259 bands specified in the above baseband list.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the OTA darkroom 50 will use, for example, Figure 8 The three test antennas 6 of the frequency bands corresponding to Nos. 1, 2, and 3 in the frequency band classification illustrated above are arranged in the internal space 51. The three test antennas 6 are automatically arranged one by one in order by the antenna automatic arrangement member 60 at the focal point position of the reflector 7 (indicated by the symbol F in Figure 1 On the other hand, the DUT 100 related to the present embodiment has a structure in which the frequency bands corresponding to the above Nos. 1, 2, and 3, respectively, can be selectively set as usable frequency bands. The DUT 100 uses the frequency bands corresponding to the above Nos. 1, 2, and 3, respectively, in order in measurements related to transmission and reception in the OTA darkroom 50 and can transmit and receive test signals and measured signals via the test antennas 6 arranged in order at the focal point position F.

[0064] Next, the arrangement of the DUT holding portion 56, the test antenna 6, and the reflector 7 in the internal space 51 of the OTA darkroom 50 will be described. In the OTA darkroom 50, the DUT holding portion 56 extending in the vertical direction is provided to the bottom surface 52a of the frame main body portion 52 in the internal space 51. The DUT holding portion 56 has a drive portion 56a provided to the bottom surface 52a, a support table 56b coupled to the drive portion 56a, and a DUT placement portion 56c extending in, for example, the horizontal direction from the side surface of the support table 56b. The drive portion 56a is composed of, for example, a 2-axis positioner having a rotation mechanism that rotates in the 2-axis direction. Hereinafter, the drive portion 56a will also be referred to as a 2-axis positioner (see Figure 3 ). Thus, the DUT holding portion 56 can, for example, rotate the DUT 100 held to the DUT placement portion 56c in such a manner that the state in which the antenna 110 faces is sequentially changed with respect to all points on the surface of a sphere at the center of the sphere.

[0065] In the OTA anechoic chamber 50, an antenna holding mechanism 61 is provided below the bottom surface 52a of the main body 52 of the frame. This antenna holding mechanism 61 holds multiple test antennas 6 in a separated state. In this embodiment, the antenna holding mechanism 61, for example, holds antennas capable of transmitting and receiving. Figure 8 The diagram shows three test antennas 6 for the wireless signals of the three measurement object frequency bands, identified by numbers 1 to 3.

[0066] The antenna holding mechanism 61 is mounted on the bottom surface 52a of the internal space 51 of the OTA anechoic chamber 50 via the power unit 64. The antenna holding mechanism 61, the power unit 64, and the antenna automatic configuration control unit 16 (see reference) Figure 2 Together, they constitute the antenna automatic configuration component 60. The antenna automatic configuration component 60 constitutes the antenna configuration component of the present invention. Furthermore, the structure of the antenna automatic configuration component 60 will be described in detail later.

[0067] In OTA anechoic chamber 50, reflector 7 has an offset parabolic reflector described later (see reference). Figure 7 () type structure. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the reflector 7 is mounted at the desired position on the side 52b of the OTA anechoic chamber 50 using a reflector holder 58. The reflector 7 is configured such that it receives test signals transmitted from a test antenna 6 positioned at the focal position F of the parabolic surface via a rotating parabolic surface, reflects them toward the DUT 100 held in the DUT holder 56, and receives the measured signal transmitted from the DUT 100, which has received the test signal, via antenna 110, and can reflect the test signal toward the test antenna 6 that transmitted the test signal. In this embodiment, the three test antennas 6 held in the antenna holder mechanism 61 are automatically positioned one by one at the focal position F by the antenna automatic configuration member 60, serving as the test antennas for transmitting and receiving the test signal and the measured signal.

[0068] Here, for reference Figures 5-7 The advantages of mounting a reflector 7 in an OTA anechoic chamber 50 and the preferred method of mounting the reflector 7 are explained. Figure 5 For example, this is a schematic diagram illustrating the propagation method of radio waves from a wireless terminal 100A relative to radio waves emitted from an antenna AT that is identical to the test antenna 6. The wireless terminal 100A is equivalent to the DUT 100. Figure 5 middle, Figure 5 (a) shows an example of radio waves propagating directly from antenna AT to wireless terminal 100A (Direct FAR Field). Figure 5 (b) illustrates an example of radio waves propagating from antenna AT to wireless terminal 100A via reflector 7A with a rotating parabolic surface.

[0069] As Figure 5 (a) shows, the electric wave with the antenna AT as a transmission source has a wave surface that spreads spherically with the transmission source as the center while propagating. Also, it is known that the surface (wave surface) that links the points of the same phase of the wave is a curved spherical surface (spherical wave) at a short distance from the transmission source, but if it is far from the transmission source, the wave surface approaches a plane (plane wave). Generally, the region in which the wave surface is considered to be a sphere is called the near field (NEAR FIELD), and the region in which the wave surface is not considered to be a plane is called the far field (FAR FIELD). In Figure 5 (a) shown in the propagation of the electric wave, the wireless terminal 100A preferably receives a plane wave compared to a spherical wave on the basis of good reception.

[0070] If a plane wave is to be received, it is necessary to be set in such a manner that the wireless terminal 100A exists in the far field. Here, when the maximum linear dimension of the wireless terminal 100A is set to D and the wavelength is set to λ, the far field becomes a distance of 2D 2 / λ or more from the antenna AT. Specifically, when D = 0.4 meters (m) and the wavelength λ = 0.01 m (corresponding to a wireless signal of the 28 GHz band) are set, a position of about 30 m from the antenna AT becomes the boundary between the near field and the far field, and thus there is a need to place the wireless terminal 100A at a position farther than that. Also, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the maximum linear dimension D is, for example, the measurement of the DUT 100 from 5 cm (centimeters) to about 33 cm.

[0071] Thus, in the Direct Far Field method shown in Figure 5 (a), there is a characteristic that the propagation distance between the antenna AT and the wireless terminal 100A is large and the propagation loss is large. Therefore, as a method of processing thereof, for example, as shown in Figure 5 (b), there is a method of disposing a mirror 7A having a rotating parabolic surface at a position at which the electric wave of the antenna AT is reflected and introduced into the wireless terminal 100A. According to this method, not only can the distance between the antenna AT and the wireless terminal 100A be shortened, but also the region of the plane wave expands from the distance immediately after the reflection in the mirror surface of the mirror 7A, and thus a reduction effect of the propagation loss can also be expected. The propagation loss can be expressed by the phase difference of the waves of the same phase. The phase difference that can be tolerated as the propagation loss is, for example, λ / 16. It is assumed that the phase difference will be evaluated by a vector network analyzer (VNA), for example.

[0072] As a device that can be used as the mirror 7A shown in Figure 5 (a), there are, for example, a parabolic reflector (refer to Figure 6 ) or a biased parabolic reflector (refer to Figure 7 ). As Figure 6As shown, the parabolic reflector has a mirror surface (paraboloid of rotation) that is axially symmetric with respect to the center O of the antenna, and has the function of reflecting radio waves emitted from the primary transmitter in a direction parallel to the aforementioned axis by setting a primary transmitter with directional characteristics along the direction of the paraboloid at a focal position F specified from the paraboloid. Conversely, it can be understood that by arranging, for example, the experimental antenna 6 according to this embodiment, at the focal position F, the parabolic reflector can reflect and direct radio waves (e.g., wireless signals transmitted by DUT100) incident on the paraboloid in a direction parallel to the aforementioned axis to the experimental antenna 6. However, the planar shape of the parabolic reflector when viewed from the front (Z direction) is a perfect circle, and its structure is relatively large, making it unsuitable for configuration as a reflector 7 of the OTA anechoic chamber 50.

[0073] In contrast, such as Figure 7 As shown, the offset parabolic reflector has a mirror surface that is asymmetric with respect to the axis of the paraboloid of revolution (cutting out a circular parabolic reflector (reference)). Figure 6 The offset parabolic reflector has the shape of a portion of a parabolic sphere and has the function of reflecting radio waves emitted from the primary transmitter in a direction parallel to the axis of the parabolic sphere by setting the beam axis of the primary transmitter relative to the axis of the parabolic sphere, for example, at an angle α. It is understood that this offset parabolic reflector, by arranging, for example, the test antenna 6 according to this embodiment at the focal position F, reflects radio waves (e.g., test signals relative to DUT100) emitted from the test antenna 6 in a direction parallel to the axis of the parabolic sphere by the parabolic sphere, and by reflecting radio waves (e.g., measured signals transmitted from DUT100) incident on the parabolic sphere in a direction parallel to the axis of the parabolic sphere by the parabolic sphere, thereby directing them towards the test antenna 6. The offset parabolic reflector can be configured in a manner similar to a mirror approaching perpendicularly, and with the parabolic reflector (refer to...) Figure 6 Compared to [previous type], the structure can be significantly reduced in size.

[0074] Based on the above insights, in the OTA anechoic chamber 50 involved in this embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, an offset parabolic reflector (reference) will be used. Figure 7 The reflector 7 is positioned along the radio wave propagation path between the DUT100 and the test antenna 6. In the figure, the reflector 7 is positioned on the side 52b of the main body 52 of the frame, with the position indicated by the symbol F being the focal point.

[0075] The reflector 7 and one of the three test antennas 6 held by the antenna holding mechanism 61 (the antenna positioned at the focal point) are tilted at a predetermined angle α relative to the axis RS1 of the test antenna 6 by the beam axis BS1 of the test antenna 6. The test antenna 6 referred to here is the one that ensures visibility from the reflector 7 through the opening 67a of the cover 67 covering the antenna holding mechanism 61.

[0076] The reflector 7 has a focal position F on the beam axis BS1 of the test antenna 6. Each test antenna 6, held on the rotating body 62 of the antenna holding mechanism 61, can sequentially pass through the focal position F of the reflector 7, which ensures the aforementioned visibility. The tilt angle α can be set to, for example, 30 degrees. In this case, the test antenna 6 is positioned opposite the reflector 7 at an elevation angle of 30 degrees, that is, it is held in the antenna holding mechanism 61 at an angle opposite the reflector 7 with the receiving surface of the test antenna 6 perpendicular to the beam axis of the wireless signal. By employing a reflector 7 of the offset parabolic reflector type, not only can the reflector 7 itself be reduced in size, but it is also possible to achieve a configuration in a mirror-like, vertically approaching manner, thereby having the advantage of reducing the structure of the OTA anechoic chamber 50.

[0077] Next, the structure of the antenna automatic configuration component 60, which automatically configures multiple test antennas 6 sequentially at the focal position F of the reflector 7, will be described in detail.

[0078] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the antenna automatic configuration component 60 mounted in the OTA anechoic chamber 50 includes, for example, an antenna holding mechanism 61, a power unit 64, a cover 67, and an antenna automatic configuration control unit 16. The antenna holding mechanism 61 is composed of a rotating body 62 that can rotate around a rotation axis 63. In the rotating body 62, for example, three test antennas 6 are arranged on the circumference of the rotating body 62 around the rotation axis 63.

[0079] As a more specific example, for example, Figure 9 As shown in (a), test antennas 6 are arranged at equal intervals, for example, on a horizontal plane at intervals of 120 degrees around the rotation axis 63, along the outer circumference of the circle C1 defined above on the rotating body 62. Here, the antenna holding mechanism 61 is positioned within the internal space 51 such that the receiving surfaces of each test antenna 6, which move circumferentially (around) along the circumference of circle C1 due to the rotation of the rotating body 62, are positioned at the focal point F of the reflector 7. The three test antennas 6 used in this embodiment are capable of transmitting and receiving, for example. Figure 8 The diagram shows the wireless signals of each frequency band, identified by numbers 1 to 3. Furthermore, the circumferential configuration of the three experimental antennas 6 is not limited to... Figure 9(a) the illustrated manner (number and separation angle), for example, as shown in Figure 9 (b) as shown, it can also be a manner in which the rotation axis 63 is at the center and the antennas are arranged close to each other at intervals of 60 degrees. In addition, in the present application, the number of test antennas 6 is not limited to the three shown in the present embodiment, and can be any number according to the allocation of the in-band and out-of-band possessed by the DUT 100 (refer to Figure 13 ) is obvious.

[0080] The power section 64 has a drive motor 65 that rotates the rotating body 62 via the rotation axis 63, and a coupling member 66 such as a gear provided between the drive motor 65 and the rotation axis 63. The cover section 67 covers the antenna holding mechanism 61 and the power section 64 in a manner that restricts the intrusion of radio waves from the outside and the emission of radio waves to the outside.

[0081] An opening 67a is formed in the cover section 67. The opening 67a is formed at a position that ensures visibility of the rotating paraboloid of the reflector 7 from one of the test antennas 6 held by the antenna holding mechanism 61 when it is arranged at the focal point position F of the reflector 7.

[0082] The antenna automatic arrangement control section 16, for example, drives the drive motor 65 in such a manner that, according to the instructions from the control section 11 of the comprehensive control device 10 (refer to Figure 3 ), each of the test antennas 6 is moved to the focal point position F of the reflector 7 and stopped according to each of the measurement target frequency bands identified by numbers 1 to 3 in the chart shown in Figure 8 .

[0083] Here, the functional structure of the measurement device 1 related to the present embodiment will be further described with reference to Figures 2-4 . In the measurement device 1 related to the present embodiment (refer to Figure 2 ), the comprehensive control device 10, for example, has the functional structure as shown in Figure 3 , and the NR system simulator 20, for example, has the functional structure as shown in Figure 4 . The NR system simulator 20 constitutes the simulation measurement device of the present application.

[0084] As shown in Figure 3 , the comprehensive control device 10 has a control section 11, an operation section 12, and a display section 13. The control section 11, for example, is constituted by a computer device. As shown in Figure 3As shown, the computer device is provided with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a that performs prescribed information processing for realizing the functions of the measurement device 1 or centralized control with the NR system simulator 20 as the object; a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11b that stores an OS (Operating System) or other programs for starting the CPU 11a, control parameters, and the like; a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11c that stores the execution codes and data of the OS and application programs used by the CPU 11a during work; an external I / F (interface) section 11d that has an input interface function for inputting prescribed signals and an output interface function for outputting prescribed signals; a nonvolatile storage medium such as a hard disk device that is not shown; and various input and output ports. The external I / F section 11d is connected to the NR system simulator 20 in a communicable manner via the network 19. Also, the external I / F section 11d is connected to the drive motor 65 and the drive section (2-axis positioner) 56a in the OTA darkroom 50 via the network 19. An operation section 12 and a display section 13 are connected to the input and output ports. The operation section 12 is a functional section for inputting various information such as instructions, and the display section 13 is a functional section for displaying input screens and various information such as measurement results.

[0085] The above computer device functions as the control section 11 by the CPU 11a executing the programs stored in the ROM 11b with the RAM 11c as a work area. As shown, Figure 3 The control section 11 has a call connection control section 14, a signal transceiving control section 15, an antenna automatic configuration control section 16, and a DUT posture control section 17, as shown. The call connection control section 14, the signal transceiving control section 15, the antenna automatic configuration control section 16, and the DUT posture control section 17 are also realized by the CPU 11a executing prescribed programs stored in the ROM 11b in the work area of the RAM 11c.

[0086] The call connection control section 14 drives the test antenna 6 that is automatically configured at the focal point position F of the reflector 7 to transceive control signals (wireless signals) between the DUT 100, and performs control for establishing a call (a state in which wireless signals can be transceived) between the NR system simulator 20 and the DUT 100.

[0087] The signal transceiving control section 15 performs control to monitor the user operation in the operation section 12, and, as an opportunity of a prescribed measurement start operation in which the user performs measurement of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100, performs control to transmit a signal transmission instruction to the NR system simulator 20 via the call connection control in the call connection control section 14, and to transmit a test signal via the test antenna 6, and to transmit a signal reception instruction, and to receive a measured signal via the test antenna 6.

[0088] The antenna automatic configuration control section 16 performs control to automatically configure the plurality of test antennas 6 held by the antenna holding mechanism 61 of the antenna automatic configuration member 60 in order to the focal point position F of the reflector 7. To achieve this control, for example, an antenna automatic configuration control table 16a is stored in advance in the ROM lib. The antenna automatic configuration control table 16a stores, for example, the number of drive pulses (operation pulse number) that determines the rotational drive of the drive motor 65 as control data when a stepper motor is employed as the drive motor 65. In the present embodiment, the antenna automatic configuration control table 16a stores, as the above-described control data, the number of operation pulses of the drive motor 65 for moving each test antenna 6 to the focal point position F of the reflector 7 in correspondence with the three measurement target frequency bands identified by the numbers 1 to 3, for example. Figure 8 The antenna automatic configuration control table 16a stores, for example, the number of drive pulses (operation pulse number) that determines the rotational drive of the drive motor 65 as control data when a stepper motor is employed as the drive motor 65. In the present embodiment, the antenna automatic configuration control table 16a stores, as the above-described control data, the number of operation pulses of the drive motor 65 for moving each test antenna 6 to the focal point position F of the reflector 7 in correspondence with the three measurement target frequency bands identified by the numbers 1 to 3, for example.

[0089] The antenna automatic configuration control section 16 performs control to expand the antenna automatic configuration control table 16a to the work area of the RAM lie, and to rotate drive the drive motor 65 in the power section 64 of the antenna automatic configuration member 60 in accordance with the antenna automatic configuration control table 16a and in accordance with the measurement target frequency band corresponding to each test antenna 6. According to this control, it is possible to achieve antenna automatic configuration control to stop (configure) each test antenna 6 in order to the focal point position F of the reflector 7. In the present embodiment, an example is given in which the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 rotates drive the drive motor 65 in a manner (refer to FIG. 6) in which the test antenna 6 is rotated in one direction, but this is not limiting, and a structure in which the drive motor 65 can be rotated drive in the reverse direction or in both directions can also be employed. Figure 1 、 Figure 9 ) rotates drive the drive motor 65 in a manner (refer to FIG. 6) in which the test antenna 6 is rotated in one direction, but this is not limiting, and a structure in which the drive motor 65 can be rotated drive in the reverse direction or in both directions can also be employed. This is also the same in the second and third embodiments.

[0090] The DUT posture control section 17 controls the posture when the DUT 100 held by the DUT holding section 56 is measured. To achieve this control, for example, a DUT posture control table 17a is stored in advance in the ROM lib. The DUT posture control table 17a stores, for example, control data for the 2-axis positioner 56a that constitutes the DUT holding section 56.

[0091] The DUT posture control section 17 drives and controls the 2-axis positioner 56a in such a manner that the DUT posture control table 17a is spread on the work area of the RAM 11c, and the posture of the DUT 100 is changed in such a manner that the antenna 110 successively faces all points on the surface of the sphere, based on the DUT posture control table 17a.

[0092] Also, in the measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 4 the NR system simulator 20 has, for example, a signal measurement section 21, a control section 22, an operation section 23, and a display section 24. The signal measurement section 21 has a signal generation function section composed of a signal generation section 21a, a digital / analog converter (DAC) 21b, a modulation section 21c, a transmission section 21e of an RF section 21d, and a signal analysis function section composed of a reception section 21f of the RF section 21d, an analog / digital converter (ADC) 21g, and an analysis processing section 21h.

[0093] In the signal generation function section of the signal measurement section 21, the signal generation section 21a generates waveform data having a reference waveform, and specifically, for example, generates an I-component baseband signal and a Q-component baseband signal which is a quadrature component signal thereof. The DAC 21b converts the waveform data (I-component baseband signal and Q-component baseband signal) having the reference waveform output from the signal generation section 21a from a digital signal to an analog signal and outputs it to the modulation section 21c. The modulation section 21c performs a modulation process of mixing a local signal with the I-component baseband signal and the Q-component baseband signal respectively, and outputs the resultant as a digitally modulated frequency. The RF section 21d generates a test signal corresponding to a frequency of each communication standard from the digitally modulated frequency output from the modulation section 21c, and outputs the generated test signal to the DUT 100 through the transmission section 21e.

[0094] Also, in the signal analysis function section of the signal measurement section 21, the RF section 21d converts a measured signal transmitted from the DUT 100 having received the test signal through the antenna 110 to an intermediate frequency band signal (IF signal) by mixing the measured signal with a local signal on the basis of the measured signal received by the reception section 21f. The ADC 21g converts the measured signal converted to the IF signal by the reception section 21f of the RF section 21d from an analog signal to a digital signal and outputs it to the analysis processing section 21h.

[0095] The analysis processing section 21h performs a process of analyzing the I-component baseband signal and the Q-component baseband signal based on waveform data corresponding to the I-component baseband signal and the Q-component baseband signal respectively, by digitally processing the digital signal, that is, the measured signal output from the ADC 21g.

[0096] The control unit 22 is similar to the control unit 11 of the integrated control device 10 described above, and is, for example, composed of a computer device including a CPU, RAM, ROM, and various input / output interfaces. The CPU performs prescribed information processing and control for implementing the functions of the signal generation function unit, the signal analysis function unit, the operation unit 23, and the display unit 24.

[0097] The operation unit 23 and the display unit 24 are connected to the input / output interface of the aforementioned computer device. The operation unit 23 is a functional unit for inputting various information such as commands, and the display unit 24 is a functional unit for displaying various information such as input screens and measurement results.

[0098] Next, refer to Figure 10 Measurement processing of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT100 based on the measurement device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 10 In particular, it is designed to be able to use 5G NR baseband separately (see reference). Figure 8 Three test antennas 6, designated as number 1, 2, and 3 for each frequency band, were sequentially positioned at the focal point F and measurements were performed on the DUT100. In the following description, the frequency band designated as number 1 is referred to as in-band, the frequency band designated as number 2 is referred to as out-of-band 1, and the frequency band designated as number 3 is referred to as out-of-band 2.

[0099] Furthermore, in Figure 10 This section describes the case where a command to begin the measurement start operation is given via the operation unit 12 of the integrated control device 10 to begin the measurement processing of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100. Alternatively, the measurement start operation can also be performed via the operation unit 23 of the NR system simulator 20.

[0100] In the measuring device 1, to measure the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100, the DUT 100 must first be placed inside the internal space 51 of the OTA anechoic chamber 50. Therefore, as the initial process in the measuring device 1, the user performs the operation of placing the DUT 100 of the test object on the DUT mounting section 56c of the DUT holding section 56 of the OTA anechoic chamber 50 (step S1). At this time, regarding the antenna automatic configuration member 60, multiple (three in this example) test antennas 6 capable of covering three measurement target frequency bands are held in the antenna holding mechanism 61, and it is necessary to ensure that each test antenna 6 passes sequentially through the focal position F (reference point F) of the reflector 7. Figure 7 An antenna holding mechanism 61 is installed at the position of ).

[0101] After the setup of DUT100 is performed, in the integrated control device 10, for example, the antenna automatic configuration control unit 16 monitors whether the measurement of the transmission and reception characteristics of DUT100 has been started in the operation unit 12 (step S2).

[0102] Here, when it is determined that the measurement start operation is not performed (NO in step S2), the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 continues the monitoring of step S1 described above. In contrast, when it is determined that the measurement start operation is performed (YES in step S2), the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 sets n indicating the measurement order of the measurement target frequency band to n = 1 indicating the first measurement target frequency band (step S3). In this example, the maximum value of n is 3.

[0103] Next, the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 performs control to automatically move (configure) the test antenna 6 corresponding to the first measurement target corresponding to n = 1 to the focal point position F of the reflector 7 (step S4). At this time, the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 reads the number of operation pulses of the test antenna 6 corresponding to the first measurement target frequency band (in-band) corresponding to n = 1 from the antenna automatic configuration control table 16a, and rotates the control driving motor 65 according to the number of operation pulses.

[0104] If the automatic configuration of the test antenna 6 corresponding to the first measurement target frequency band to the focal point position F of the reflector 7 is completed by the rotation control described above, the call connection control section 14 of the control section 11 uses the test antenna 6 for which the automatic configuration is completed, and performs call connection control by transmitting and receiving control signals (wireless signals) between the DUT 100 (step S5). Here, the NR system simulator 20 wirelessly transmits a control signal (call connection request signal) having a frequency of the first transmission and reception measurement target frequency band to the DUT 100 via the test antenna 6, and on the other hand, the DUT 100 that has received the call connection request signal receives a control signal (call connection response signal) transmitted on the basis of the frequency of the connection request. By this call connection control, a state in which wireless signals of the first transmission and reception measurement target frequency band can be transmitted and received via the test antenna 6 automatically configured to the focal point position F of the reflector 7 and the reflector 7 is established between the NR system simulator 20 and the DUT 100.

[0105] In addition, in the DUT 100 after the call connection control is completed, the processing of receiving wireless signals transmitted from the NR system simulator 20 via the test antenna 6 and the reflector 7 is set as downlink (DL) processing, and on the contrary, the processing of transmitting wireless signals to the NR system simulator 20 via the reflector 7 and the test antenna 6 is set as uplink (UL) processing. The test antenna 6 is used for performing the processing of establishing a link (call) and the downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) processing after the link is established, and is also sometimes referred to as a link antenna.

[0106] After the call connection is established in step S5, the signal transceiving control section 15 of the integrated control device 10 transmits a signal transmission instruction to the NR system simulator 20. In the NR system simulator 20, based on the above signal transmission instruction, control is performed to transmit a test signal to the DUT 100 via the test antenna 6 automatically disposed at the focal point position F of the reflector 7 (step S6).

[0107] The test signal transmission control based on the NR system simulator 20 is implemented in the following manner. In the NR system simulator 20 (refer to Figure 4 ), the control section 22 that has received the above signal transmission instruction controls the signal generation function section and generates a signal for generating a test signal by the signal generation section 21a. Then, after the signal is subjected to digital / analog conversion processing by the DAC 21b and modulation processing by the modulation section 21c, a test signal is generated so that the frequency subjected to the digital modulation by the RF section 21d corresponds to the frequency of each communication standard, and the test signal (DL data) is output to the DUT 100 via the test antenna 6 by the transmission section 21e. In addition, after the signal transceiving control section 15 starts the control of the test signal transmission in step S5, control is performed in such a manner that the test signal is transmitted at an appropriate timing until the measurement of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100 in the frequency band corresponding to the test antenna 6 ends. Also, during this period, in the integrated control device 10, the DUT posture control section 17 continuously controls the 2-axis positioner 56a so that the DUT 100 placed on the DUT placement section 56c becomes in the above posture.

[0108] In contrast, the DUT 100 operates in such a manner that the test signal (DL data) transmitted via the test antenna 6 and the reflector 7 is received by the antenna 110 in the state of sequentially being in different postures according to the above posture control, and a response signal with respect to the test signal, that is, a measured signal is transmitted.

[0109] After the test signal transmission is started in step S6, then, the signal transceiving control section 15 performs processing to receive the measured signal transmitted from the DUT 100 that has received the above test signal and reflected by the reflector 7 via the test antenna 6 automatically disposed at the focal point position F of the reflector 7 (step S7).

[0110] When this reception processing is performed, the measured signal received via the test antenna 6 is input to the signal processing section 40. The signal processing section 40 is configured by an up-converter, a down-converter, an amplifier, a filter, and the like. The signal processing section 40 performs each processing of frequency conversion (up-conversion or down-conversion), amplification, and frequency selection on the measured signal input from the test antenna 6.

[0111] Next, the NR system simulator 20 performs a process of measuring the frequency-converted measured signal by the frequency converter (step S8). In performing this measurement process, the frequency-converted measured signal is input to the reception section 21f of the RF section 21d in the NR system simulator 20 (refer to FIG. 2). Figure 4

[0112] In the NR system simulator 20, the control section 22 controls the signal analysis function section to first convert the measured signal input to the reception section 21f of the RF section 21d into an IF signal. Next, the control section 22 performs control in such a manner that the measured signal is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by the ADC 21g and input to the analysis processing section 21h, and waveform data corresponding to the I-component baseband signal and the Q-component baseband signal, respectively, is generated by the analysis processing section 21h. Also, the control section 22 performs control in such a manner that the analysis processing section 21h is controlled to analyze the measured signal based on the waveform data generated as described above.

[0113] In the NR system simulator 20, the control section 22 performs control to measure the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100 according to the analysis result of the measured signal based on the analysis processing section 21h (step S8). For example, with respect to the transmission characteristics of the DUT 100, the control section 22 performs a process of transmitting a Ping (sound pulse) request frame as a test signal from the NR system simulator 20 and evaluating the transmission characteristics of the DUT 100 according to a Ping Reply (sound pulse reply) frame transmitted as a measured signal from the DUT 100 in response to the Ping request frame. Also, with respect to the reception characteristics of the DUT 100, the control section 22 calculates a bit error rate (BER) as a ratio of the number of times of transmission of a measured frame transmitted as a test signal from the NR system simulator 20 to the number of times of reception of ACK from the DUT 100 as a measured signal in response to the measured frame. According to the measurement control of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100 in step S8, in the integrated control device 10, for example, the control section 32 performs control to store the analysis result based on the measured signal of the NR system simulator 20 as the transmission and reception characteristics in a storage region such as a RAM, which is not shown.

[0114] Next, in the integrated control device 10, for example, the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 determines whether or not the measurement of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100 is ended with respect to the first measurement target frequency band corresponding to n = 1 (step S9). Here, when it is determined that the measurement with respect to the first measurement target frequency band is not ended (NO in step S9), the process after step S6 is continued.

[0115] ​In contrast, when it is determined that the measurement of the first measurement target band is ended (YES in Step S9), the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 determines whether n has reached n=3 indicating the last measurement target band (out-band 2) (Step S10). Here, when it is determined that n=3 has not been reached (NO in Step S10), the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 shifts to Step S3, and sets n to n=2 indicating the second band (out-band 1) (Step S3).

[0116] Next, the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 performs control to automatically move the test antenna 6 corresponding to the second measurement target band corresponding to n=2 to the focal point position F of the reflector 7 in the same manner as when n=l (Step S4). Also, the call connection control section 14 drives the test antenna 6 newly disposed at the focal point position F of the reflector 7, and performs call connection control to establish a call between the NR system simulator and the DUT 100 (Step S5).

[0117] Then, the integrated control device 10 performs the processes of S6 to S10 based on the transmission and reception of the test signal and the measured signal of the test antenna 6 corresponding to the second measurement target band corresponding to n=2 (in the same manner as the processes performed based on the transmission and reception of the test signal and the measured signal of the test antenna 6 corresponding to the first measurement target band).

[0118] During this period, in the integrated control device 10, the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 determines whether the measurement of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100 for the second measurement target band is ended (Step S9), and when it is determined that the measurement is not ended (NO in Step S9), the processes after Step S6 are continued.

[0119] In contrast, when it is determined that the measurement of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100 for the second measurement target band is ended (YES in Step S9), the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 determines whether n=3 has been reached (Step S10). When it is determined that n=3 has not been reached (NO in Step S10), the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 shifts to Step S3, and sets n to n=3 indicating the third band (out-band 2) (Step S3).

[0120] Next, the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 performs control to automatically move the test antenna 6 corresponding to the third measurement target band corresponding to n=3 to the focal point position F of the reflector 7 in the same manner as when n=l and 2 (Step S4). Then, the call connection control section 14 drives the test antenna 6 newly disposed at the focal point position F of the reflector 7, and performs call connection control to establish a call between the NR system simulator and the DUT 100 (Step S5).

[0121] Then, the integrated control device 10 performs the processes of S6-S10 based on the transmission and reception of the test signal and the measured signal with respect to the third measurement target frequency band corresponding to the test antenna 6 (as well as the processes performed based on the transmission and reception of the test signal and the measured signal with respect to the first and second measurement target frequency bands corresponding to the test antenna 6).

[0122] During this period, in the integrated control device 10, the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 determines whether the measurement of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100 with respect to the third measurement target frequency band is completed (step S9), and when it is determined that the measurement is not completed (NO in step S9), the processes after step S6 are continued.

[0123] On the other hand, when it is determined that the measurement of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100 with respect to the third measurement target frequency band is completed (YES in step S9), the integrated control device 10 determines that n = 3 is reached (YES in step S10), and the series of measurement processes described above are completed.

[0124] As described above, the measurement device (antenna device) 1 according to the present embodiment has an OTA darkroom 50 having an internal space 51 that is not affected by the surrounding radio wave environment, a reflector 7 housed in the internal space 51 and having a prescribed parabolic surface through which a radio signal transmitted or received by an antenna 110 provided to a DUT 100 is reflected, a plurality of test antennas 6 each of which is used for measuring a radio signal of a plurality of measurement target frequency bands of the DUT 100, and an antenna automatic configuration member 60 that sequentially configures the plurality of test antennas 6 at a prescribed focal point position F from the parabolic surface according to the measurement target frequency band.

[0125] According to this configuration, the measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment enables a user to perform the measurement of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100 using the OTA darkroom 50 without performing the operation of sequentially replacing the plurality of test antennas 6 at the focal point position F of the reflector 7. Further, the antenna automatic configuration member 60 is attached on the basis of the reflector 7 that shortens the signal propagation path, and thus the compactness of the OTA darkroom 50 is not significantly hindered. Furthermore, the time and effort for configuring each of the test antennas 6 can be reduced, and the measurement of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100 with respect to each of the measurement target frequency bands can be performed continuously, and thus the efficiency of the measurement processes can be improved.

[0126] Also, in the measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment, the antenna 110 of the DUT 100 uses a wireless signal of a prescribed frequency band, and the measurement device 1 further includes an NR system simulator 20 that, when one of the plurality of test antennas 6 is disposed at the focal point position F of the reflector 7 at a time, outputs a test signal to the DUT 100 via the test antenna 6 disposed at the focal point position F, and receives a measured signal output from the DUT 100 to which the test signal is input, by the test antenna 6 disposed at the focal point position F, and performs measurement of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100 with respect to a wireless signal of a measurement target frequency band used by the test antenna 6 disposed at the focal point position F, based on the received measured signal.

[0127] According to this structure, in the measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment, with respect to the DUT 100 having the antenna 110 that uses a wireless signal of a prescribed frequency band, the transmission and reception characteristics can be smoothly measured with respect to the frequency bands of different groups of frequency bands in the prescribed frequency band, and much effort is not required in the replacement of the test antennas 6.

[0128] Also, in the measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment, the prescribed frequency band is a 5G NR baseband, and the plurality of measurement target frequency bands are respectively any one of the frequency bands of the different groups of frequency bands in the 5G NR baseband, that is, the group of n77, n78, and n79; the group of n258 and n257; and the group of n259.

[0129] According to this structure, in the measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment, with respect to the DUT (5G wireless terminal) having the antenna 110 that uses a wireless signal of a 5G NR baseband, the transmission and reception characteristics can be smoothly measured with respect to the frequency bands of any one of the group of n77, n78, and n79; the group of n258 and n257; and the group of n259, and much effort is not required in the replacement of the test antennas 6.

[0130] Also, in the measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment, the antenna automatic disposition member 60 is structured to have an antenna holding mechanism 61 that has the plurality of test antennas 6 disposed on a circumference centering on a rotation axis 63 in a rotation body 62 that is rotatable centering on the rotation axis 63, and is disposed in the inner space 51 of the OTA darkroom 50 in such a manner that the receiving surfaces of the plurality of test antennas 6 pass through the focal point position F of the reflector 7 by rotation of the rotation body 62, a power section 64 that has a drive motor 65 that rotationally drives the rotation body 62 via the rotation axis 63, and an antenna automatic disposition control section 16 that controls the drive motor 65 in such a manner that the plurality of test antennas 6 are sequentially stopped at the focal point position F, in accordance with the measurement target frequency band.

[0131] According to this structure, the measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment is able to reduce the installation space of the antenna holding mechanism 61 while maintaining the compactness of the OTA darkroom 50 by adopting the antenna holding mechanism 61 in which each test antenna 6 is arranged on a circumference centered on the rotation axis 63.

[0132] Also, in the measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment, the antenna holding mechanism 61 is arranged on the bottom surface 52a of the internal space 51 of the OTA darkroom 50 and is configured by a rotation body 62 that is able to rotate on a plane in the horizontal direction by the rotation axis 63 in the vertical direction. According to this structure, the measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment is able to prevent an increase in the height of the OTA darkroom 50 by securing the space that is horizontal with respect to the bottom surface 52a of the internal space 51 of the OTA darkroom 50 as the installation space of the antenna holding mechanism 61.

[0133] Also, the measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment is structured such that the antenna holding mechanism 61 holds each test antenna 6 in a manner in which the receiving surface of the test antenna 6 faces the rotation axis 63. According to this structure, the measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment is able to reduce the diameter of the circumference in which each test antenna 6 is arranged and is able to maintain the compactness of the antenna holding mechanism 61 and the OTA darkroom 50 by arranging the antenna holding mechanism 61 in the central portion of the bottom surface 52a of the internal space 51 of the OTA darkroom 50.

[0134] Also, in the measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment, the antenna holding mechanism 61 is structured such that, when the test antenna 6 is stopped at the focal point position F of the reflector 7, the test antenna 6 is held in a manner in which the test antenna 6 opposes the reflector 7 and in which the receiving surface of the test antenna 6 is at a right angle, for example, an elevation angle of 30 degrees, with respect to the beam axis of the wireless signal. According to this structure, the measurement device 1 according to the present embodiment improves the reception accuracy of the test antenna 6 that is arranged at the focal point position F of the reflector 7 and is also able to improve the measurement accuracy of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100.

[0135] Also, the measurement method according to the present embodiment is a measurement method that uses the measurement device 1 having the above-described structure and includes: a holding step (step S1 in the above-described Figure 10 ) of holding the DUT 100 at the DUT holding portion 56 within the OTA darkroom 50; an antenna arrangement step (steps S3 and S4 in the above-described Figure 10 ) of sequentially arranging a plurality of test antennas 6 at the focal point position F in accordance with a prescribed measurement start instruction and in accordance with the measurement target frequency band; a test signal output step (step S6 in the above-described Figure 10 ) of outputting a test signal to the DUT 100 via the test antenna 6 arranged at the focal point position F by the NR system simulator 20; and a signal reception step (step S7 in the above-described Figure 10In step S7), the measured signal output from the DUT100 with the input test signal is received via the test antenna 6 configured at the focal position F; and the measurement step ( Figure 10 In step S8), based on the measured signal received in the signal receiving step, the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT100 for the wireless signal of the target frequency band used by the test antenna 6 configured at the focal position F are measured.

[0136] According to this structure, in the measurement method of this embodiment, a measurement device (antenna device) 1 with an OTA anechoic chamber 50 equipped with an antenna auto-configuration member 60 is used. Therefore, in measuring the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100, the user does not need to perform the operation of sequentially replacing the multiple test antennas 6 at the focal position F of the reflector 7. Furthermore, by adding the antenna auto-configuration member 60 on top of shortening the signal propagation path by setting the reflector 7, it does not pose a significant obstacle to the compactness of the anechoic chamber. Moreover, it is possible to reduce the time spent configuring each test antenna 6 at the focal position F and to continuously measure the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100 in each measurement target frequency band, thereby improving the efficiency of measurement processing.

[0137] (Second Implementation)

[0138] like Figure 11 As shown, the measuring device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention replaces the OTA anechoic chamber 50 used in the measuring device 1 according to the first embodiment with an OTA anechoic chamber 50A equipped with an antenna auto-configuration member 60A. In the antenna auto-configuration member 60A, the antenna auto-configuration member 60 (refer to the antenna auto-configuration member 60 mounted in the OTA anechoic chamber 50 according to the first embodiment) is used. Figure 1 , Figure 2 The same constituent elements are marked with the same symbols.

[0139] like Figure 11 As shown, the antenna automatic configuration member 60A according to this embodiment is similar to the antenna automatic configuration member 60 according to the first embodiment, and includes: an antenna holding mechanism 61, in which a test antenna 6 is arranged on the circumference of a rotating body 62 rotatable about a rotation axis 63, and the receiving surface of each test antenna 6 is positioned at the focal position F of the reflector 7 within the internal space of the OTA anechoic chamber 50A by means of the rotation of the rotating body 62; and a power unit 64, which includes a drive motor 65 that drives the rotating body 62 to rotate via the rotation axis 63. That is, in the antenna automatic configuration member 60A according to this embodiment, the antenna holding mechanism 61 is also provided on the bottom surface of the internal space 51 of the OTA anechoic chamber 50A, and is composed of a rotating body 62 rotatable about a horizontal surface via a rotation axis 63 in the vertical direction.

[0140] The antenna automatic arrangement member 60A according to the present embodiment differs from the antenna automatic arrangement member 60 according to the first embodiment in the arrangement of the test antennas 6 with respect to the rotary body 62, and is otherwise the same as the antenna automatic arrangement member 60 according to the first embodiment. In the antenna automatic arrangement member 60 according to the first embodiment, the antenna holding mechanism 61 holds each of the test antennas 6 so that the receiving surface of the test antenna 6 faces the side of the rotary shaft 63 (the inner side) (see Figure 1 ), and in contrast to this, as shown in Figure 11 , the antenna holding mechanism 61 holds each of the test antennas 6 so that the receiving surface of the test antenna 6 faces the side opposite to the side with respect to the rotary shaft 63 (the outer side).

[0141] In the antenna automatic arrangement member 60A according to the present embodiment, the drive motor 65 that constitutes the power section 64 is also connected to the antenna automatic arrangement control section 16. Also in the present embodiment, the antenna automatic arrangement control table 16a in which the number of operation pulses with which each of the test antennas 6 is arranged at the focal point position F of the reflector 7 is stored (but becomes a different value from the first embodiment) is prepared in advance. Thus, in the measurement device 1A according to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the antenna automatic arrangement control section 16 reads the number of operation pulses of each of the test antennas 6 from the antenna automatic arrangement control table 16a, and by rotating the drive motor 65 in accordance with the number of pulses, each of the test antennas 6 is arranged at the focal point position F of the reflector 7 in turn (see step S4 of Figure 10 ). Figure 10

[0142] In the measurement device (antenna device) 1A according to the present embodiment, the antenna automatic arrangement member 60A that automatically arranges the test antennas 6 at the focal point position F of the reflector 7 in turn is provided, and thus as in the first embodiment, the user is not required to be urged to perform the work of replacing the plurality of test antennas 6, and thus the effect that the measurement of the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100 can be easily performed is exerted. In particular, according to the structure of the OTA darkroom 50A having the antenna automatic arrangement member 60A according to the present embodiment, for example, when the antenna holding mechanism 61A is arranged at a position that avoids the central portion of the floor surface 52a of the internal space 51, the diameter of the circumference in which the test antennas 6 are arranged is reduced, and thus the antenna holding mechanism 61A is miniaturized.

[0143] (Third Embodiment)

[0144] As shown in Figure 12 ​As shown, the measurement device 1B according to the third embodiment of the present application uses an OTA darkroom 50B employing an antenna automatic configuration member 60B instead of the OTA darkrooms 50, 50A used in the measurement devices 1, 1A according to the first and second embodiments. Figure 12 (a) shows a schematic structure of the antenna automatic configuration member 60B as viewed from the front, Figure 12 (b) shows a schematic structure of the antenna automatic configuration member 60B as viewed from Figure 12 (a) shows a schematic structure of the antenna automatic configuration member 60B as viewed from the right side.

[0145] The antenna automatic configuration member 60, 60A of the measurement devices 1, 1A according to the first and second embodiments has an antenna holding mechanism 61 holding a plurality of test antennas 6 on the circumference of a rotating body 62 rotatable on a horizontal plane via a rotating shaft 63 at right angles with respect to the horizontal plane, and with respect to this, as shown in Figure 12 As shown, the antenna automatic configuration member 60B according to the present embodiment has an antenna holding mechanism 61B holding a plurality of test antennas 6 on the circumference of a rotating body 62B rotatable on a plane in the vertical direction along a rotating shaft 63B extending in the horizontal direction. Also, the power section 64B of the antenna automatic configuration member 60B is constituted by a driving motor 65B equivalent to the driving motor 65 according to the first and second embodiments and a link member 66B sandwiched between the driving motor 65B and the rotating shaft 63B of the rotating body 62B.

[0146] In the antenna automatic configuration member 60B according to the present embodiment, the plurality of test antennas 6 held by the antenna holding mechanism 61B are encircled on a plane in the vertical direction along with the rotation of the rotating body 62B, which is different from the first and second embodiments, but in order to move each test antenna 6 to a prescribed position on the encircled plane, particularly to the focal point position F of the reflector 7, it is possible to control the rotation amount of the driving motor 65B, i.e., the number of operation pulses supplied to the driving motor 65B, which is the same as the first and second embodiments.

[0147] Accordingly, in the present embodiment, an antenna automatic configuration control table 16a is prepared in advance, in which the number of operation pulses with which each test antenna 6 can be disposed at the focal point position F of the reflector 7 is stored in correspondence with each test antenna 6 (but becomes a different value from the first and second embodiments). Also, in the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 connected to the driving motor 65B constituting the power section 64B of the antenna automatic configuration member 60B, the driving motor 65B is driven and controlled in accordance with the antenna automatic configuration control table 16a. In this case, the antenna automatic configuration control section 16 reads the number of operation pulses of each test antenna 6 from the antenna automatic configuration control table 16a, and by rotating the driving motor 65B in accordance with this number of pulses, it is possible to dispose each test antenna 6 in turn at the focal point position F of the reflector 7 (see FIG. 6).Figure 10 Step S4).

[0148] In the measuring apparatus (antenna device) 1B according to this embodiment, an antenna automatic configuration member 60B is provided, which automatically configures the test antennas 6 sequentially at the focal position F of the reflector 7. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, there is no need to urge the user to replace multiple test antennas 6, thereby achieving the effect of easily measuring the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100. In particular, according to the structure of the OTA anechoic chamber 50B having the antenna automatic configuration member 60B according to this embodiment, by ensuring that the space perpendicular to the bottom surface 52a of the internal space 51 is used as the installation space for the antenna holding mechanism 61B, it is possible to prevent an increase in the width of the main body 52 of the frame.

[0149] (Fourth implementation)

[0150] like Figure 13 As shown, the measuring device 1C according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention replaces the OTA anechoic chamber 50 used in the measuring device 1 according to the first embodiment with an OTA anechoic chamber 50C employing an antenna automatic configuration member 80. In this embodiment, regarding the antenna automatic configuration member 80, a structural example is given that nine test antennas 6, each with a different measurement target frequency band, can be automatically configured. However, as will be explained below, it is self-evident that it can also be applied when using the three test antennas 6 exemplified in the first to third embodiments.

[0151] like Figure 13 As shown, the antenna automatic configuration component 80 according to this embodiment includes an antenna holding mechanism 81 and a power unit 87. The antenna holding mechanism 81 is composed of a plurality of first sliding mechanisms 81a, 81b, and 81c and a second sliding mechanism 84 arranged orthogonally to the first sliding mechanisms 81a, 81b, and 81c. The first sliding mechanisms 81a, 81b, and 81c have a plurality of antenna bases 82, for example, having a structure that holds the antenna base 82 along a pair of guide rails 83 in a direction that allows it to slide at a predetermined interval. Here, "direction" refers, for example, to the Y-axis direction on a plane formed by mutually orthogonal X-axis and Y-axis. Test antennas 6 are respectively mounted on the antenna bases 82.

[0152] exist Figure 13 The example shown illustrates a structure in which nine test antennas 6, each mounted on a separate antenna base 82, are automatically configured at the focal position F. However, this automatic antenna configuration component 80 can be adapted to handle the automatic configuration of any number of test antennas 6 through structural modifications or variations. For example, in the automatic antenna configuration component 80, as in the first to third embodiments, if three test antennas 6 are to be automatically configured, then... Figure 13Each of the three test antennas 6 can be provided in any of the three antenna pedestals 82. Also, in the antenna automatic configuration member 80 shown in Figure 13 In the antenna automatic configuration member 80 shown in

[0153] On the other hand, the second sliding mechanism 84 has pedestal portions 85 on which the first sliding mechanisms 81a, 81b, 81c are placed, and holds the first sliding mechanisms 81a, 81b, 81c in a manner that they can slide in another direction orthogonal to the Y-axis direction, for example, along a pair of guide rails 86.

[0154] The power section 87 has drive shafts 87a, 87b, 87c provided along the Y-axis direction through the penetration holes 82a of the respective antenna pedestals 82 that constitute the first sliding mechanisms 81a, 81b, 81c, and first drive motors 88a, 88b, 88c that rotate drive the drive shafts 87a, 87b, 87c. The power section 87 also has a drive shaft 89a provided along the X-axis direction through the penetration hole 85a of the pedestal portion 85 that constitutes the second sliding mechanism 84, and a second drive motor 89b that rotates and drives the drive shaft 89a. In addition, in the penetration holes 82a of the respective antenna pedestals 82 and the penetration hole 85a of the respective pedestal portions 85, threads are formed that engage with threads formed on the drive shafts 87a, 87b, 87c and the drive shaft 89a. Thus, in the power section 87, by rotating and driving the first drive motors 88a, 88b, 88c in both directions and rotating and driving the drive shafts 87a, 87b, 87c in the same direction, the respective antenna pedestals 82 can be moved in both directions along the Y-axis direction corresponding to the directions of rotation in both directions. Similarly, by rotating and driving the second drive motor 89b in both directions and rotating and driving the drive shaft 89a in the same direction, the respective pedestal portions 85 can be moved in both directions along the X-axis direction corresponding to the directions of rotation in both directions.

[0155] In the antenna automatic configuration member 80 shown in Figure 13 In the antenna automatic configuration member 80 shown in Figure 13 In the structure shown in

[0156] According to this condition, in the measurement device 1C according to the present embodiment, as the antenna automatic arrangement control table 16a, the number of operation pulses of the first drive motor 88a, 88b, 88c and the number of operation pulses of the second drive motor 89b, which can be respectively arranged at the focal point position F of the reflector 7 corresponding to each test antenna 6, are stored as control data. Thereby, in the antenna automatic arrangement control section 16, the first drive motor 88a, 88b, 88c and the second drive motor 89b can be respectively drive-controlled according to the antenna automatic arrangement control table 16a. In this drive control, the antenna automatic arrangement control section 16 reads the number of operation pulses of the first drive motor 88a, 88b, 88c and the number of operation pulses of the second drive motor 89b corresponding to each test antenna 6 from the antenna automatic arrangement control table 16a, and by rotatingly driving the first drive motor 88a, 88b, 88c and the second drive motor 89b respectively according to the pulse numbers, each test antenna 6 can be sequentially arranged at the focal point position F of the reflector 7 (see Figure 10

[0157] In the measurement device (antenna device) 1C according to the present embodiment, the antenna automatic arrangement member 80 is provided which sequentially automatically arranges the test antenna 6 at the focal point position F of the reflector 7 on the XY plane, and therefore, as in the first to third embodiments, the user is not required to be urged to replace the plurality of test antennas 6, and thus the effect that the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100 can be easily measured is exerted. In particular, according to the structure of the OTA darkroom 50C having the antenna automatic arrangement member 80 according to the present embodiment, by securing a space which is horizontal to the bottom surface 52a of the internal space 51 of the OTA darkroom 50C as a setting space of the antenna holding mechanism 81, it is possible to prevent the structure of the OTA darkroom 50C (the frame main body portion 52) from expanding in the height direction. Further, each test antenna 6 is slidably moved in the horizontal plane in directions orthogonal to each other, and therefore, stable movement toward the focal point position F of the reflector 7 is possible.

[0158] In the measurement device 1C according to the present embodiment, the first slide mechanisms 81a, 81b, 81c are provided in plurality in parallel with respect to the Y-axis direction and separated at a prescribed interval in the X-axis direction, and the power section 87 is structured so as to include the first drive motors 88a, 88b, 88c corresponding to the first slide mechanisms 81a, 81b, 81c respectively. According to this structure, the measurement device 1C makes the most of the space in the horizontal direction on the bottom surface 52a of the frame main body portion 52 of the OTA darkroom 50C, and while avoiding the enlargement of the OTA darkroom 50C, it is possible to easily cope with the addition of the test antennas 6. In the present embodiment, the first slide mechanisms and the first drive motors do not necessarily have to be provided in plurality, and can be structured so as to each be provided in one.

[0159] ​Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, for example, an example in which the transceiving characteristics of the DUT 100 in three bands (refer to Figure 8 ) in the 5G NR baseband are measured using three test antennas 6 (a maximum of nine in the fourth embodiment) is presented, but the present application is not limited thereto, and a configuration in which the transceiving characteristics of the DUT 100 in a plurality of bands in the 5G NR baseband are measured using any number of test antennas 6 can be provided. Further, with respect to the members 60, 60A, 60B, 60C that automatically configure the test antennas 6, the configuration is not limited to the one described in each of the above-described embodiments, and it is obvious that various configurations including manual configuration can be applied.

[0160] Further, the present application is applicable not only to an anechoic chamber but also to an anechoic room.

[0161] Industrial applicability

[0162] As described above, the antenna device and the measurement method according to the present application avoid the enlargement of the anechoic chamber and the complication of the replacement work of the test antennas, and achieve the effect that the transceiving characteristics in the bands corresponding to the plurality of test antennas of the DUT can be effectively measured, and are useful in all antenna devices and measurement methods in which the transceiving characteristics of the wireless terminal using the 5G NR baseband are measured.

[0163] Explanation of symbols

[0164] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C - measurement device (antenna device), 6 - test antenna (antenna), 7 - reflector, 10 - integrated control device, 16 - antenna automatic configuration control section, 20 - NR system simulator (simulation measurement device), 30 - signal analysis device, 40 - signal processing section, 50 - OTA room (anechoic chamber), 51 - internal space, 60, 60A, 60B - antenna automatic configuration member (antenna configuration member), 61, 61B - antenna holding mechanism, 62, 62B - rotating body, 63, 63B - rotating shaft, 64, 64B - power section, 65, 65B - drive motor, 80 - antenna automatic configuration member, 81 - antenna holding mechanism, 81a, 81b, 81c - first sliding mechanism, 82 - antenna pedestal, 84 - second sliding mechanism, 85 - pedestal section, 87 - power section, 87a, 87b, 87c - first drive shaft, 88a, 88b, 88c - first drive motor, 89a - second drive shaft, 89b - second drive motor, 100 - DUT (object under test), 110 - antenna (object under test antenna), F - focal position of reflector.

Claims

1. An antenna device provided with an electric wave dark box (50) having an internal space (51) that is not affected by a surrounding electric wave environment, the antenna device being characterized by further comprising: a reflector (7) housed in the internal space and having a prescribed parabolic surface through which a wireless signal transmitted or received by a test object antenna (110) possessed by a test object (100) is reflected; a plurality of antennas (6) corresponding to wireless signals of a plurality of measurement target frequency bands for measuring transmission and reception characteristics of the test object; and an antenna arrangement member (60, 60A, 60B, 80) that sequentially arranges the plurality of antennas at a prescribed focal point position (F) from the parabolic surface in accordance with the measurement target frequency bands, the antenna arrangement member further having an antenna automatic arrangement control section, the antenna arrangement member including an antenna holding mechanism (81), a plurality of antenna mounts (82) each having the plurality of antennas mounted thereon, and a power section (87), the antenna automatic arrangement control section reading a number of operation pulses of a drive motor of the power section (87) corresponding to each antenna from an antenna automatic arrangement control table (16a) and sequentially arranging and holding the each antenna at the focal point position in a manner in which the antenna opposes the reflector when the antenna is stopped at the focal point position and a receiving surface of the antenna is at a right angle with respect to a beam axis of the wireless signal, the reflector (7) being a biased parabolic reflector, the antenna device further comprising a test object posture control section (17) that drives and controls a posture of the test object (100) in a manner in which the test object antenna (110) sequentially faces all points on a spherical surface in accordance with a test object posture control table (17a) stored in advance. 2.The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the test object antenna uses wireless signals of a prescribed frequency band, the antenna device further comprising an analog measurement device (20) that outputs a test signal to the test object via the antenna arranged at the focal point position when one of the plurality of antennas is arranged at the focal point position each time and receives a measured signal output from the test object to which the test signal is input by the antenna arranged at the focal point position and performs measurement of transmission and reception characteristics of the measurement target frequency band used by the antenna in the arrangement of the test object in accordance with the received measured signal. 3.The antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the prescribed frequency band is a 5G NR baseband, and the plurality of measurement target frequency bands are respectively different frequency band groups of any one of n77, n78, and n79; n258 and n257; and n259 in the prescribed frequency band. 4.The antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the antenna arrangement member automatically performs an action. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The antenna holding mechanism includes a sliding mechanism (81a) that holds the plurality of antenna bases (82) so as to be slidable along the guide rail in a state in which a prescribed interval is maintained, The antenna automatic configuration control section controls the power section so as to sequentially stop the respective antennas at the focal point position in accordance with the measurement target frequency band.

5. A measurement method using the antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the measurement method characterized by comprising: a holding step (SI) of holding the test object in a test object holding section in the wave dark chamber; an antenna configuration step (S3, S4) of configuring the plurality of antennas sequentially at the focal point position in accordance with a prescribed measurement start instruction and in accordance with the measurement target frequency band; a test signal output step (S6) of outputting a test signal to the test object via the antenna configured at the focal point position by means of an analog measurement device; a signal reception step (S7) of receiving a measured signal output from the test object to which the test signal is input via the antenna configured at the focal point position; and a measurement step (S8) of measuring a transmission and reception characteristic of a wireless signal of the measurement target frequency band used with respect to the antenna configured at the focal point position from the measured signal received in the signal reception step; wherein, in the antenna configuration step (S3, S4), the number of operation pulses of a drive motor of the power section (87) corresponding to each antenna is read from an antenna automatic configuration control table (16a), and the respective antennas are configured and held sequentially at the focal point position in a manner in which, when the antenna is stopped at the focal point position, it opposes the reflector and the receiving surface of the antenna becomes at a right angle with respect to the beam axis of the wireless signal by rotating the drive motor of the power section (87) in accordance with the number of operation pulses, the reflector (7) is a biased parabolic reflector, the measurement method further includes a test object posture control step of driving and controlling the posture of the test object (100) in a manner in which the test object antenna (110) faces all points of the spherical surface sequentially in accordance with a test object posture control table (17a) stored in advance.

Images