A test device, test method and storage medium for multi-channel antenna

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a test device, a test method and a storage medium for a multi-channel antenna. The test device includes: a radio frequency switch matrix and an amplitude / phase weight switching system; the amplitude / phase weight switching system includes: an amplitude / phase weight control module, a control terminal that sends weight configuration instructions to the amplitude / phase weight control module, and a power supply for supplying power to the amplitude / phase weight control module; the amplitude / phase weight control module is provided with a first radio frequency port and a second radio frequency port; the radio frequency switch matrix is ​​provided with a third radio frequency port and a fourth radio frequency port; the first radio frequency port is correspondingly connected to the third radio frequency port; during testing, the second radio frequency port is correspondingly connected to the radio frequency port of the multi-channel antenna under test; the fourth radio frequency port is used to connect to a vector network analyzer or a directional pattern test system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of mobile communication technology, and in particular to a testing device, a testing method and a storage medium for a multi-channel antenna. Background Art

[0002] The electrical specifications of multi-channel antennas are divided into circuit parameters and radiation pattern indicators. The quality of these two parameters directly reflects the performance and working condition of the multi-channel antenna. Therefore, testing antenna circuit parameters and radiation patterns is particularly important in the entire network coverage project.

[0003] The widely used method for controlling the input of beamforming weights in current multi-channel antenna radiation pattern testing involves connecting a 1-to-N fixed beamforming weight combining power splitter board to the input of a multi-channel antenna with N input ports. Each port of this power splitter board then inputs corresponding fixed beamforming weights to the multi-channel antenna to achieve beam synthesis and test the resulting beam pattern. Testing radiation patterns requires designing and manufacturing multiple beam combining power splitters, and these boards are difficult to interchange and share between multi-channel antennas with different weights.

[0004] In addition, the circuit parameters and radiation patterns of the multi-channel antenna are tested independently using completely different equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a testing device, a testing method, and a storage medium for a multi-channel antenna.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention is implemented as follows:

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides a testing device for a multi-channel antenna, the testing device comprising:

[0008] RF switch matrix and amplitude / phase weight switching system; wherein,

[0009] The amplitude / phase weight switching system includes: an amplitude / phase weight control module, a control terminal for sending weight configuration instructions to the amplitude / phase weight control module, and a power supply for supplying power to the amplitude / phase weight control module;

[0010] The amplitude / phase weight control module is provided with a first radio frequency port and a second radio frequency port;

[0011] The RF switch matrix is ​​provided with a third RF port and a fourth RF port; the first RF port is correspondingly connected to the third RF port;

[0012] During testing, the second RF port is connected to the RF port of the multi-channel antenna under test; the fourth RF port is used to connect to a vector network analyzer or a directional pattern test system.

[0013] in,

[0014] The first radio frequency port and the second radio frequency port each have N+1 ports;

[0015] The third radio frequency port has N+1 ports, and the fourth radio frequency port has 2 ports; wherein N is an integer.

[0016] The first RF port and the third RF port are connected correspondingly as follows:

[0017] The N+1 ports of the first RF port are connected to the N+1 ports of the third RF port in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0018] Among them, when measuring circuit parameters,

[0019] The N+1 ports of the second radio frequency port are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the N+1 radio frequency ports of the multi-channel antenna under test;

[0020] The two ports of the fourth RF port are used to connect to a 2-port vector network analyzer, and the RF switch matrix switches and conducts the RF channels connected to the corresponding antenna ports as needed.

[0021] Among them, when measuring the direction pattern,

[0022] Ports 1 to N of the second radio frequency port are connected one-to-one with ports 1 to N of the multi-channel antenna under test, the N+1th port of the second radio frequency port is connected to a load, and the N+1th radio frequency port of the multi-channel antenna under test is also connected to a load;

[0023] One of the two ports of the fourth radio frequency port is used to connect to a pattern test system, and the other port is connected to a load.

[0024] The amplitude / phase weight control module includes: a weight output circuit and a weight switching control unit connected between the control terminal and the weight output circuit, and the first RF port and the second RF port are provided in the weight output circuit;

[0025] The weight switching control unit is used to adjust the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port of the weight output circuit based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weight.

[0026] The amplitude / phase weight control module or the control terminal is further provided with a weight storage unit, and the weight storage unit pre-stores a beamforming weight library consisting of multiple groups of beamforming weights.

[0027] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for testing a multi-channel antenna. The method is applied to the above-mentioned test device. When testing circuit parameters of the multi-channel antenna, two ports of the fourth RF port are connected to two ports of a vector network analyzer, including:

[0028] After passing through the amplitude / phase weight control module, any two RF ports of the multi-channel antenna are connected to the two ports of the fourth RF port in a one-to-one manner through the RF switch matrix;

[0029] The amplitude / phase weight control module adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first RF port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weight;

[0030] The amplitude / phase weight control module performs weighted processing on the two RF signals inputted by the vector network analyzer through the RF switch matrix and sends them to the multi-channel antenna under test, and forwards the RF signal outputted in reverse by the multi-channel antenna under test to the vector network analyzer to measure the circuit parameters under the weighted value;

[0031] Repeat the above operation until the test of all RF ports in the multi-channel antenna under the weight state is completed.

[0032] The amplitude / phase weight control module adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first RF port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weight, including:

[0033] The control terminal in the amplitude / phase weight switching system inputs a weight configuration instruction to the weight switching control unit;

[0034] The weight switching control unit automatically obtains the weight from the beamforming weight library of the weight storage unit based on the weight configuration instruction;

[0035] The weight switching control unit adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port of the weight output circuit based on the weight.

[0036] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for testing a multi-channel antenna. The method is applied to the above-mentioned test device. When testing the directional pattern of the multi-channel antenna, all RF ports in the multi-channel antenna are connected to the same port of the fourth RF port through an RF switch matrix after passing through an amplitude / phase weight control module, and the port is connected to a directional pattern test system. The multi-channel antenna is provided with N RF ports. The method includes:

[0037] The amplitude / phase weight control module adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first RF port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weight;

[0038] The amplitude / phase weight control module weights the N-channel RF signals input by the RF switch matrix into the directional pattern test system and sends them to the multi-channel antenna under test, so that the multi-channel antenna can generate a spatial directional beam.

[0039] The pattern testing system measures the pattern corresponding to the spatial directional beam of the multi-channel antenna through a source antenna.

[0040] The amplitude / phase weight control module performs weighted processing on the N-channel RF signals inputted by the RF switch matrix of the directional pattern test system and sends them to the multi-channel antenna under test, including:

[0041] The pattern test system inputs a radio frequency input signal into a radio frequency switch matrix;

[0042] The RF switch matrix divides the RF input signal into N paths and sends the N paths to the weight output circuit in the amplitude / phase weight control module;

[0043] The weight output circuit weights the N radio frequency signals to form new N radio frequency output signals, and sends the new N radio frequency output signals to the multi-channel antenna under test.

[0044] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a multi-channel antenna testing device, the device comprising: a processor and a memory for storing a computer program that can be run on the processor,

[0045] Wherein, the processor is used to execute the steps of the above method when running the computer program.

[0046] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a storage medium on which a computer program is stored. The computer program is used by a processor to execute the steps of the above method.

[0047] The test device, test method, and storage medium for a multi-channel antenna provided by the embodiments of the present invention can automatically and efficiently control the beamforming weights during the circuit parameter testing process, thereby enabling real-time and quick selection of the desired weight state. This not only helps improve the efficiency of circuit parameter testing, but also avoids the situation in related technologies where some weight states cannot be tested, and is conducive to obtaining more test data, thereby facilitating a more realistic and accurate judgment of the performance and working status of the multi-channel antenna.

[0048] During pattern testing, the weight switching system enables automated and efficient control of multiple sets of beamforming weights, enabling real-time and rapid input of corresponding beamforming weights to the multi-channel antenna under test based on actual needs, significantly improving overall testing efficiency. Furthermore, this multi-channel antenna testing solution boasts a simple structure, eliminating the need for multiple manual disassembly and assembly of beam combining boards, thus avoiding connection errors caused by manual operation and significantly improving test accuracy and objectivity. Furthermore, this multi-channel antenna testing solution can be applied to circuit parameter and radiation pattern testing of various multi-channel antennas by simply updating the weight storage unit in the weight switching system. This broadly applicable solution helps reduce testing costs.

[0049] The above-mentioned multi-channel antenna field-circuit integrated test solution has good circuit parameter test and radiation pattern test effects, greatly simplifies the entire test system, can significantly reduce test costs and improve test efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Figure 1 A multi-channel antenna circuit parameter testing solution in related technologies;

[0051] Figure 2 A synthetic beam test solution for multi-channel antenna radiation patterns in related technologies;

[0052] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a testing device for a multi-channel antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the amplitude / phase weight switching system in the multi-channel antenna test device according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0054] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the amplitude / phase weight switching system in the multi-channel antenna test device according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0055] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the test method of the multi-channel antenna according to the embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0056] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the test method of the multi-channel antenna according to the embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0057] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-channel antenna testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention used for circuit parameter testing;

[0058] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the state of the RF switch matrix;

[0059] Figure 10 This is a flow chart of the circuit parameter testing of the multi-channel antenna testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 11 This is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-channel antenna testing device used for pattern testing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0061] Figure 12 for Figure 11 Schematic diagram of the state of the RF switch matrix;

[0062] Figure 13 This is a flow chart of the multi-channel antenna testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention used for pattern testing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0064] In related technologies, multi-port vector network analyzers are widely used, such as Figure 1 However, a multi-port vector network analyzer can only directly test circuit parameters when the amplitude / phase weights of each antenna port are consistent, but cannot directly test circuit parameters when the weights of each antenna port are different.

[0065] The key to testing the directional pattern of a multi-channel antenna is to control the input of the beamforming weights (i.e., amplitude / phase weights). Figure 2 As shown in the figure. Since a power splitter board can only input one set of beamforming weights, for a multi-channel antenna, in order to complete the test of different beam patterns, it is necessary to input multiple sets of beamforming weights in sequence. Accordingly, multiple different power splitter boards need to be manufactured. This not only increases the testing cost, but also requires replacing a power splitter board after each beam pattern test. This makes the entire testing process cumbersome and reduces overall test efficiency.

[0066] In view of this, an embodiment of the present invention provides a testing device for a multi-channel antenna, such as Figure 3 As shown, the test device includes:

[0067] RF switch matrix and amplitude / phase weight switching system; wherein,

[0068] The amplitude / phase weight switching system includes: an amplitude / phase weight control module, a control terminal for sending weight configuration instructions to the amplitude / phase weight control module, and a power supply for supplying power to the amplitude / phase weight control module;

[0069] The amplitude / phase weight control module is provided with a first radio frequency port and a second radio frequency port (the first radio frequency port and the second radio frequency port are Figure 3 The ports on the upper and lower edges of the amplitude / phase weight control module (the first and second are for clarity only and have no special priority).

[0070] The RF switch matrix is ​​provided with a third RF port (a port connected to the amplitude / phase weight control module) and a fourth RF port; the first RF port is correspondingly connected to the third RF port;

[0071] During testing, the second RF port is connected to the RF port of the multi-channel antenna under test; the fourth RF port is used to connect to a vector network analyzer or a directional pattern test system.

[0072] In the embodiment of the present invention,

[0073] The first radio frequency port and the second radio frequency port each have N+1 ports;

[0074] The third radio frequency port has N+1 ports, and the fourth radio frequency port has 2 ports; wherein N is an integer.

[0075] In the embodiment of the present invention, the first RF port and the third RF port are connected correspondingly as follows:

[0076] The N+1 ports of the first RF port are connected to the N+1 ports of the third RF port in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, when measuring circuit parameters,

[0078] The N+1 ports of the second radio frequency port are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the N+1 radio frequency ports of the multi-channel antenna under test;

[0079] The two ports of the fourth RF port are used to connect to a 2-port vector network analyzer, and the RF switch matrix switches and conducts the RF channels connected to the corresponding antenna ports as needed.

[0080] In another embodiment of the present invention, when measuring the directional pattern,

[0081] Ports 1 to N of the second radio frequency port are connected one-to-one with ports 1 to N of the multi-channel antenna under test, the N+1th port of the second radio frequency port is connected to a load, and the N+1th radio frequency port of the multi-channel antenna under test is also connected to a load;

[0082] One of the two ports of the fourth radio frequency port is used to connect to a pattern test system, and the other port is connected to a load.

[0083] In the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 、 Figure 5 As shown, the amplitude / phase weight control module includes: a weight output circuit and a weight switching control unit connected between the control terminal and the weight output circuit, and the first RF port and the second RF port are provided in the weight output circuit;

[0084] The weight switching control unit is used to adjust the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port of the weight output circuit based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weight.

[0085] In an embodiment of the present invention, the amplitude / phase weight control module or the control terminal is further provided with a weight storage unit, and the weight storage unit pre-stores a beamforming weight library consisting of multiple groups of beamforming weights.

[0086] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for testing a multi-channel antenna. The method is applied to the test device described above. When testing the circuit parameters of the multi-channel antenna, two ports of the fourth RF port are connected to two ports of a vector network analyzer, such as Figure 6 As shown, the method includes:

[0087] Step 601: After passing through an amplitude / phase weight control module, any two RF ports of the multi-channel antenna are connected to two ports of a fourth RF port in a one-to-one manner through a RF switch matrix;

[0088] Step 602: The amplitude / phase weight control module adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first RF port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weights;

[0089] Step 603: The amplitude / phase weight control module performs weighted processing on the two RF signals inputted by the vector network analyzer through the RF switch matrix and sends the weighted signals to the multi-channel antenna under test. The amplitude / phase weight control module also forwards the RF signal outputted in reverse direction by the multi-channel antenna under test to the vector network analyzer to measure the circuit parameters under the weighted values.

[0090] Step 604: Repeat the above operations until the test of all RF ports in the multi-channel antenna under the weight state is completed.

[0091] In an embodiment of the present invention, the amplitude / phase weight control module adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first RF port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weights, including:

[0092] The control terminal in the amplitude / phase weight switching system inputs a weight configuration instruction to the weight switching control unit;

[0093] The weight switching control unit automatically obtains the weight from the beamforming weight library of the weight storage unit based on the weight configuration instruction;

[0094] The weight switching control unit adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port of the weight output circuit based on the weight.

[0095] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for testing a multi-channel antenna. When testing the directional pattern of the multi-channel antenna, all RF ports in the multi-channel antenna are connected to the same port of the fourth RF port through the RF switch matrix after passing through the amplitude / phase weight control module, and the port is connected to the directional pattern test system; the multi-channel antenna is provided with N RF ports; Figure 7 As shown, the method includes:

[0096] Step 701: The amplitude / phase weight control module adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first RF port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weights;

[0097] Step 702: The amplitude / phase weight control module performs weighted processing on the N-channel RF signals inputted by the RF switch matrix of the directional pattern test system and sends the weighted signals to the multi-channel antenna under test, so that the multi-channel antenna generates a spatial directional beam.

[0098] Step 703: The pattern testing system measures the pattern corresponding to the spatial directional beam of the multi-channel antenna through the source antenna.

[0099] In an embodiment of the present invention, the amplitude / phase weight control module performs weighted processing on N radio frequency signals inputted by the RF switch matrix of the directional pattern test system and then sends the weighted signals to the multi-channel antenna under test, including:

[0100] The pattern test system inputs a radio frequency input signal into a radio frequency switch matrix;

[0101] The RF switch matrix divides the RF input signal into N paths and sends the N paths to the weight output circuit in the amplitude / phase weight control module;

[0102] The weight output circuit weights the N radio frequency signals to form new N radio frequency output signals, and sends the new N radio frequency output signals to the multi-channel antenna under test.

[0103] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a multi-channel antenna testing device, the device comprising: a processor and a memory for storing a computer program that can be run on the processor,

[0104] Wherein, when the processor is used to run the computer program, it executes:

[0105] After passing through the amplitude / phase weight control module, any two RF ports of the multi-channel antenna are connected to the two ports of the fourth RF port in a one-to-one manner through the RF switch matrix;

[0106] Adjusting the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first radio frequency port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weight;

[0107] The two RF signals inputted by the vector network analyzer through the RF switch matrix are weighted and then sent to the multi-channel antenna under test, and the RF signal outputted in reverse by the multi-channel antenna under test is forwarded to the vector network analyzer to measure the circuit parameters under the weighted value;

[0108] Repeat the above operation until the test of all RF ports in the multi-channel antenna under the weight state is completed.

[0109] When the amplitude / phase weight control module adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first RF port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weight, the processor is further configured to execute, when running the computer program:

[0110] The control terminal in the amplitude / phase weight switching system inputs a weight configuration instruction to the weight switching control unit;

[0111] The weight switching control unit automatically obtains the weight from the beamforming weight library of the weight storage unit based on the weight configuration instruction;

[0112] The weight switching control unit adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port of the weight output circuit based on the weight.

[0113] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a multi-channel antenna testing device, the device comprising: a processor and a memory for storing a computer program that can be run on the processor,

[0114] Wherein, when the processor is used to run the computer program, it executes:

[0115] The amplitude / phase weight control module adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first RF port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weight;

[0116] The amplitude / phase weight control module weights the N-channel RF signals input by the RF switch matrix into the directional pattern test system and sends them to the multi-channel antenna under test, so that the multi-channel antenna can generate a spatial directional beam.

[0117] The pattern test system measures the pattern corresponding to the spatial directional beam of the multi-channel antenna through the source antenna; wherein,

[0118] All RF ports in the multi-channel antenna are connected to the same port of the fourth RF port through the RF switch matrix after passing through the amplitude / phase weight control module, and the port is connected to the directional pattern test system; the multi-channel antenna is provided with N RF ports.

[0119] When the amplitude / phase weight control module performs weighted processing on the N-channel radio frequency signals inputted by the RF switch matrix of the directional pattern test system and then sends them to the multi-channel antenna under test, the processor is further configured to execute the following when running the computer program:

[0120] After the RF input signal is input into the RF switch matrix,

[0121] Splitting the radio frequency input signal into N paths and sending the N paths to the weight output circuit in the amplitude / phase weight control module;

[0122] The weight output circuit weights the N radio frequency signals to form new N radio frequency output signals, and sends the signals to the multi-channel antenna under test.

[0123] It should be noted that the apparatus provided in the above embodiments, when testing a multi-channel antenna, is illustrated by the division of the aforementioned program modules. In actual applications, the aforementioned processing can be assigned to different program modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different program modules to complete all or part of the aforementioned processing. Furthermore, the apparatus provided in the above embodiments and the corresponding method embodiments are based on the same concept. The specific implementation process is detailed in the method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0124] In an exemplary embodiment, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which can be a memory such as FRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory, magnetic surface storage, optical disk, or CD-ROM; or it can be various devices including one or any combination of the above memories, such as mobile phones, computers, tablet devices, personal digital assistants, etc.

[0125] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program performs:

[0126] After passing through the amplitude / phase weight control module, any two RF ports of the multi-channel antenna are connected to the two ports of the fourth RF port in a one-to-one manner through the RF switch matrix;

[0127] Adjusting the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first radio frequency port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weight;

[0128] The two RF signals inputted by the vector network analyzer through the RF switch matrix are weighted and then sent to the multi-channel antenna under test, and the RF signal outputted in reverse by the multi-channel antenna under test is forwarded to the vector network analyzer to measure the circuit parameters under the weighted value;

[0129] Repeat the above operation until the test of all RF ports in the multi-channel antenna under the weight state is completed.

[0130] When the amplitude / phase weight control module adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first RF port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weight, the computer program, when executed by the processor, further executes:

[0131] The control terminal in the amplitude / phase weight switching system inputs a weight configuration instruction to the weight switching control unit;

[0132] The weight switching control unit automatically obtains the weight from the beamforming weight library of the weight storage unit based on the weight configuration instruction;

[0133] The weight switching control unit adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port of the weight output circuit based on the weight.

[0134] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program performs:

[0135] The amplitude / phase weight control module adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first RF port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weight;

[0136] The amplitude / phase weight control module weights the N-channel RF signals input by the RF switch matrix into the directional pattern test system and sends them to the multi-channel antenna under test, so that the multi-channel antenna can generate a spatial directional beam.

[0137] The pattern test system measures the pattern corresponding to the spatial directional beam of the multi-channel antenna through the source antenna; wherein,

[0138] All RF ports in the multi-channel antenna are connected to the same port of the fourth RF port through the RF switch matrix after passing through the amplitude / phase weight control module, and the port is connected to the directional pattern test system; the multi-channel antenna is provided with N RF ports.

[0139] When the amplitude / phase weight control module performs weighted processing on the N-channel RF signals inputted by the RF switch matrix from the directional pattern test system and then sends them to the multi-channel antenna under test, the computer program, when executed by the processor, further executes:

[0140] After the RF input signal is input into the RF switch matrix,

[0141] Splitting the radio frequency input signal into N paths and sending the N paths to the weight output circuit in the amplitude / phase weight control module;

[0142] The weight output circuit weights the N radio frequency signals to form new N radio frequency output signals, and sends the signals to the multi-channel antenna under test.

[0143] The present invention is described below with reference to scenario embodiments.

[0144] This embodiment provides a multi-channel antenna field circuit integrated testing device, such as Figure 3 The test device includes a radio frequency switch matrix and an amplitude / phase weight switching system, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the amplitude / phase weight switching system includes an amplitude / phase weight control module, a control terminal, and a power supply for the amplitude / phase weight control module. The amplitude / phase weight control module includes at least a weight output circuit and a weight switching control unit connected between the control terminal and the weight output circuit. The amplitude / phase weight control module or the control terminal is further provided with a weight storage unit. The weight storage unit pre-stores a beamforming weight library consisting of multiple groups of beamforming weights. The weight output circuit is provided with two ports (for ease of description, these two ports are respectively referred to as a first RF port and a second RF port), and the first RF port and the second RF port respectively have N+1 ports. The RF switch matrix is ​​also provided with two ports (for ease of description, these two ports are respectively referred to as a third RF port and a fourth RF port), and the third RF port has N+ 1 port, the fourth RF port has 2 ports, the N+1 ports of the first RF port are connected one-to-one with the N+1 ports of the third RF port; when measuring circuit parameters, the N+1 ports of the second RF port are connected one-to-one with the N+1 RF ports of the multi-channel antenna under test, and the 2 ports of the fourth RF port are used to connect to a 2-port vector network analyzer, and the RF switch matrix can switch on the RF channels corresponding to the ports of the antenna to be tested as needed; when measuring the directional pattern, 1 to N ports of the second RF port are connected one-to-one with 1 to N RF ports of the multi-channel antenna under test, the N+1th port of the second RF port is connected to a load, and the N+1th RF port of the multi-channel antenna under test (this port is the calibration port) is also connected to a load, and one of the 2 ports of the fourth RF port is used to connect to the directional pattern test system, and the other port is connected to a load.

[0145] Reference Figure 8 、 Figure 9 The basic idea of ​​the multi-channel antenna field circuit integrated test device for testing circuit parameters is: any two ports to be tested of the N-channel antenna pass through the weight output circuit, and then Figure 9 The corresponding switch states of the RF switch matrix are connected and turned on to the two output ports at the bottom (all other switches are disconnected), and then connected to the two ports of the vector network analyzer. Figure 10 , the specific test plan is:

[0146] Before the test, a beamforming weight library with multiple groups of beamforming weights is constructed and stored in the above-mentioned weight storage unit, and the N+1 ports of the second RF port of the above-mentioned weight output circuit are connected one-to-one with the N+1 antenna ports of the multi-channel antenna under test, wherein the N+1th antenna port of the multi-channel antenna under test is a calibration port; the first port of the third RF port of the above-mentioned RF switch matrix is ​​defined as RF port a-1, the second port is RF port a-2, ..., the Nth port is RF port aN, the N+1th port is RF port a-N+1, and the first port of the fourth RF port of the above-mentioned RF switch matrix is ​​defined as RF port A-1, and the second port is RF port A-2; taking the circuit parameters of the 1st and 2nd channels of the measured antenna as an example, one end of the RF port a-1 in the above-mentioned RF switch matrix needs to be connected It is connected to the first port of the first RF port of the above-mentioned weight output circuit, the first switch of the two switches at the other end of the RF port a-1 needs to be connected to the RF port A-1, and the second switch needs to be disconnected from the RF port A-2, one end of the RF port a-2 in the above-mentioned RF switch matrix needs to be connected to the second port of the first RF port of the above-mentioned weight output circuit, the first switch of the two switches at the other end of the RF port a-2 needs to be disconnected from the RF port A-1, and the second switch needs to be connected to the RF port A-2, and the remaining RF ports a-3 to a-N+1 are disconnected from the RF port A-1 and the RF port A-2; the other ends of the RF port A-1 and the RF port A-2 are connected to a 2-port vector network analyzer, then the first RF channel and the second RF channel connected to the weight output circuit of the RF switch matrix are in a conductive state.

[0147] During the test, first, the above-mentioned 2-port vector network analyzer sends an RF input signal to the weight output circuit, and the RF input signal outputs 2-way RF signals after passing through the RF switch matrix. The first port and the second port of the first RF port of the weight output circuit receive the 2-way RF signals output by the RF switch matrix. At the same time, the first group of weight configuration instructions are sent to the weight switching control unit of the amplitude / phase weight control module through the control terminal. The weight switching control unit obtains the first group of weights in the weight storage unit according to the first group of weight configuration instructions and adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port of the weight output circuit. The above-mentioned weight output circuit receives the 2-way Under the action of the above-mentioned weight control unit, the RF signal is weighted by the amplitude attenuation and phase delay to form a new two-way RF signal and send it to the multi-channel antenna under test; the RF signal of the first antenna port of the multi-channel antenna under test passes through the amplitude / phase weight control module and the RF port a-1 in the RF switch matrix in the reverse direction, and is then received by the two-port vector network analyzer through the RF port A-1, and the reflection parameter of the RF signal of the first antenna port can be measured; the RF signal of the second antenna port of the multi-channel antenna under test passes through the amplitude / phase weight control module and the RF port a-2 in the RF switch matrix in the reverse direction, and is then received by the two-port vector network analyzer through the RF port A-2. The vector network analyzer receives the RF signal, and the reflection parameters of the RF signal of the second antenna port can be measured; the RF signal of the first antenna port of the multi-channel antenna under test is output from the second antenna port after passing through the antenna, and passes through the amplitude / phase weight control module and the RF port a-2 in the RF switch matrix in the opposite direction, and is received by the 2-port vector network analyzer through the RF port A-2, and the transmission parameters of the RF signal from the first antenna port to the second antenna port can be measured; the RF signal of the second antenna port of the multi-channel antenna under test is output from the first antenna port after passing through the antenna, and passes through the amplitude / phase weight control module and the RF port a-1 in the RF switch matrix in the opposite direction. It is then received by the two-port vector network analyzer through RF port A-1, and the transmission parameters of the RF signal from the second antenna port to the first antenna port can be measured; then, the RF switch matrix switches the on / off states of RF ports a-1 to a-N+1 and RF port A-1 and RF port A-2 accordingly, completing the complete circuit parameter test of each antenna port under the first set of weights; and further inputting different weight configuration instructions through the weight control terminal, that is, adjusting the state of the weight output circuit of the amplitude / phase weight control module accordingly, and referring to the above-mentioned circuit parameter test process, the circuit parameter test under multiple sets of weight states of the multi-channel antenna can be completed.

[0148] The above-mentioned multi-channel antenna field-circuit integrated test solution can automatically and efficiently control the beamforming weights during the entire circuit parameter test process, so that the required weight state can be selected in real time and quickly. This not only helps to improve the efficiency of circuit parameter testing, but also avoids the situation in which some weight states cannot be tested in the existing technology, and is conducive to obtaining more test data, thereby facilitating a more realistic and accurate judgment of the performance and working status of the multi-channel antenna.

[0149] Reference Figure 11 、 Figure 12 The basic idea of ​​the above multi-channel antenna field-path integrated test device for testing radiation patterns is that all RF ports of the N-channel antenna pass through the weight output circuit. Figure 12 The corresponding switch states of the RF switch matrix shown are all turned on to the same output port of the bottom RF switch matrix (all other switches connected to another output port are disconnected), and then the output port is connected to the directional pattern test system. Figure 13 , the specific test plan is:

[0150] Before the test, a beamforming weight library with multiple groups of beamforming weights is constructed and stored in the above-mentioned weight storage unit, and the N ports of the second RF port of the above-mentioned weight output circuit are connected one-to-one with the N antenna ports of the multi-channel antenna under test, the N+1th antenna port of the multi-channel antenna under test is a calibration port, the calibration port is connected to a load, and the N+1th port of the second RF port of the above-mentioned weight output circuit is connected to a load; when a directional pattern test is required, one end of the RF port a-1 in the above-mentioned RF switch matrix needs to be connected to the first port of the first RF port of the above-mentioned weight output circuit, one of the switches at the other end of the RF port a-1 is connected to the RF port A-1, and the other switch is disconnected from the RF port A-2, one end of the RF port a-2 in the above-mentioned RF switch matrix needs to be connected to the second port of the first RF port of the above-mentioned weight output circuit, one of the switches at the other end of the RF port a-2 is connected to the RF port A-1, and the other switch is disconnected from the RF port A-2, ..., one end of the RF port aN in the above-mentioned RF switch matrix needs to be connected to the above-mentioned weight The Nth port of the first RF port of the weight output circuit is connected, one of the switches at the other end of the RF port aN is turned on and the RF port A-1 is turned on, and the other switch is turned off and the RF port A-2 is turned off; one end of the RF port a-N+1 in the above-mentioned RF switch matrix is ​​connected to the N+1th port of the first RF port of the above-mentioned weight output circuit, one of the switches at the other end of the RF port a-N+1 is turned on and the RF port A-1 is turned on, and the other switch is turned off and the RF port A-2 is turned off; the fourth RF port of the above-mentioned RF switch matrix is ​​connected. The RF port A-1 of the two ports (i.e., RF port A-1 and RF port A-2) is connected to the source antenna through a directional pattern test system, and the RF port A-2 is connected to a load; and the branches in the above-mentioned RF port A-1 respectively connected to a-1 to a-N+1 are isolated from each other, and the branches in the above-mentioned RF port A-2 respectively connected to a-1 to a-N+1 are also isolated from each other; thereby, the adjacent RF channels in the 1st to N+1th RF channels connected to the above-mentioned RF switch matrix and the weight output circuit can be in a completely isolated state.

[0151] During the test, the directional pattern test system sends the RF input signal of the source antenna to the RF switch matrix. The RF input signal is divided into N+1 RF signals after passing through the RF switch matrix and output to the weight output circuit; a first weight configuration instruction is sent to the weight switching control unit through the weight control terminal. The weight switching control unit obtains the first group of weights in the weight storage unit according to the first group of weight configuration instructions and adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port of the weight output circuit. The weight output circuit weights the N RF signals sent by the RF switch matrix to form a new N RF output signal and sends it to the multi-channel antenna under test, so that the multi-channel antenna under test generates a first spatial directional beam. The source antenna receives the spatial directional beam. The directional pattern test system measures the first pattern corresponding to the first spatial directional beam of the multi-channel antenna under test through the source antenna. Then, a second weight configuration instruction is sent to the weight switching control unit through the weight control terminal. The weight switching control unit obtains the second set of weights in the weight storage unit according to the second set of weight configuration instructions and adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port of the weight output circuit. The weight output circuit weights the N-way RF signal sent by the RF switch matrix to form a new N-way RF output signal and sends it to the multi-channel antenna under test, so that the multi-channel antenna under test generates a second spatial directional beam. The source antenna receives the spatial directional beam. The directional pattern test system measures the second directional pattern test result corresponding to the second spatial directional beam of the multi-channel antenna under test through the source antenna. And so on, until the Nth directional pattern test result of the multi-channel antenna under test is measured, the directional pattern test of different synthetic beams of the multi-channel antenna can be completed.

[0152] It should be understood that the aforementioned first to Nth weight configuration instructions may include multiple shaping instructions for broadcast beams and / or multiple shaping instructions for service beams.

[0153] The above-mentioned multi-channel antenna field-circuit integrated test solution, through the use of a weight switching system, can automatically and efficiently control multiple sets of beamforming weights during the entire radiation pattern test process, so that the corresponding beamforming weights can be input to the multi-channel antenna under test in real time and quickly according to actual needs, thereby greatly improving overall test efficiency. In addition, this multi-channel antenna test solution has a simple structure and does not require multiple manual disassembly and assembly of the beam combining power board, avoiding connection errors caused by manual operation, thereby greatly improving the accuracy and objectivity of the test. In addition, this multi-channel antenna test solution only needs to update the weight library of the weight storage unit in the above-mentioned weight switching system accordingly. It can be applied to the circuit parameter and radiation pattern testing of various multi-channel antennas. It has a wide range of applications and is conducive to reducing testing costs.

[0154] In addition, when testing circuit parameters, the situation in the prior art where some weight states cannot be tested is avoided, which is conducive to obtaining more test data, thereby facilitating a more realistic and accurate judgment of the performance and working status of the multi-channel antenna.

[0155] The above-mentioned multi-channel antenna field-circuit integrated test solution has good circuit parameter test and radiation pattern test effects, greatly simplifies the entire test system, can significantly reduce test costs and improve test efficiency.

[0156] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-channel antenna testing device, characterized in that: The test setup includes: RF switch matrix and amplitude / phase weight switching system; wherein, The amplitude / phase weight switching system includes: an amplitude / phase weight control module, a control terminal for sending weight configuration instructions to the amplitude / phase weight control module, and a power supply for supplying power to the amplitude / phase weight control module; The amplitude / phase weight control module is provided with a first radio frequency port and a second radio frequency port; the amplitude / phase weight control module is used to adjust the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first radio frequency port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weights; the weights are stored in a beamforming weight library in a weight storage unit, and the beamforming weight library is composed of multiple groups of beamforming weights; The RF switch matrix is ​​provided with a third RF port and a fourth RF port; the first RF port is correspondingly connected to the third RF port; During testing, the second RF port is connected to the RF port of the multi-channel antenna under test; the fourth RF port is used to connect to a vector network analyzer or a directional pattern test system.

2. The testing device according to claim 1, wherein: The first radio frequency port and the second radio frequency port each have N+1 ports; The third radio frequency port has N+1 ports, and the fourth radio frequency port has 2 ports; wherein N is an integer.

3. The testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that The first RF port and the third RF port are connected correspondingly as follows: The N+1 ports of the first RF port are connected to the N+1 ports of the third RF port in a one-to-one correspondence.

4. The testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that When measuring circuit parameters, The N+1 ports of the second radio frequency port are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the N+1 radio frequency ports of the multi-channel antenna under test; The two ports of the fourth RF port are used to connect to a 2-port vector network analyzer, and the RF switch matrix switches and conducts the RF channels connected to the corresponding antenna ports as needed.

5. The testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: When measuring the direction pattern, Ports 1 to N of the second radio frequency port are connected one-to-one with ports 1 to N of the multi-channel antenna under test, the N+1th port of the second radio frequency port is connected to a load, and the N+1th radio frequency port of the multi-channel antenna under test is also connected to a load; One of the two ports of the fourth radio frequency port is used to connect to a pattern test system, and the other port is connected to a load.

6. The testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that The amplitude / phase weight control module includes: a weight output circuit and a weight switching control unit connected between the control terminal and the weight output circuit, the first radio frequency port and the second radio frequency port being provided in the weight output circuit; The weight switching control unit is used to adjust the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port of the weight output circuit based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weight.

7. The testing device according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that: The amplitude / phase weight control module or the control terminal is further provided with a weight storage unit, in which a beamforming weight library consisting of multiple groups of beamforming weights is pre-stored.

8. A method for testing a multi-channel antenna, characterized in that: The method is applied to the test device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and when testing the circuit parameters of the multi-channel antenna, two ports of the fourth RF port are connected to two ports of a vector network analyzer, comprising: After passing through the amplitude / phase weight control module, any two RF ports of the multi-channel antenna are connected to the two ports of the fourth RF port in a one-to-one manner through the RF switch matrix; The amplitude / phase weight control module adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first radio frequency port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weights; the weights are stored in a beamforming weight library in the weight storage unit, and the beamforming weight library is composed of multiple groups of beamforming weights; The amplitude / phase weight control module performs weighted processing on the two RF signals inputted by the vector network analyzer through the RF switch matrix and sends them to the multi-channel antenna under test, and forwards the RF signal outputted in reverse by the multi-channel antenna under test to the vector network analyzer to measure the circuit parameters under the weighted value; Repeat the above operation until the test of all RF ports in the multi-channel antenna under the weight state is completed.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The amplitude / phase weight control module adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first RF port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weight, including: The control terminal in the amplitude / phase weight switching system inputs a weight configuration instruction to the weight switching control unit; The weight switching control unit automatically obtains the weight from the beamforming weight library of the weight storage unit based on the weight configuration instruction; The weight switching control unit adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port of the weight output circuit based on the weight.

10. A method for testing a multi-channel antenna, characterized in that: The method is applied to the test device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. When testing the directional pattern of a multi-channel antenna, all RF ports in the multi-channel antenna are connected to the same port of the fourth RF port through an RF switch matrix after passing through an amplitude / phase weight control module, and the port is connected to a directional pattern test system; the multi-channel antenna is provided with N RF ports; The method includes: The amplitude / phase weight control module adjusts the amplitude attenuation and phase delay of each port in the first RF port based on the weight configuration instruction sent by the control terminal and the stored weights; wherein the weights are stored in a beamforming weight library in the weight storage unit, and the beamforming weight library is composed of multiple groups of beamforming weights; The amplitude / phase weight control module weights the N-channel RF signals input by the RF switch matrix into the directional pattern test system and sends them to the multi-channel antenna under test, so that the multi-channel antenna can generate a spatial directional beam. The pattern testing system measures the pattern corresponding to the spatial directional beam of the multi-channel antenna through a source antenna.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The amplitude / phase weight control module performs weighted processing on the N-channel RF signals inputted by the RF switch matrix of the directional pattern test system and then sends the weighted signals to the multi-channel antenna under test, including: The pattern test system inputs a radio frequency input signal into a radio frequency switch matrix; The RF switch matrix divides the RF input signal into N paths and sends the N paths to the weight output circuit in the amplitude / phase weight control module; The weight output circuit weights the N radio frequency signals to form new N radio frequency output signals, and sends the new N radio frequency output signals to the multi-channel antenna under test.

12. A multi-channel antenna testing device, characterized in that: The apparatus comprises: a processor and a memory for storing a computer program capable of running on the processor, Wherein, when the processor is used to run the computer program, it executes the steps of the method according to claim 8 or 9, or executes the steps of the method according to claim 10 or 11.

13. A storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to claim 8 or 9 are implemented, or the steps of the method according to claim 10 or 11 are implemented.

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