Packaged antenna phased array radiation field pattern evaluation system suitable for small cell

Abstract

The present invention relates to a kind of packaged antenna phased array radiation field pattern evaluation system suitable for small cell, including probe, field pattern measuring unit and operation unit.The fixed position probe sequentially touches the feeding point of the sub-antenna, and the field pattern measuring unit measures the N (>3) measured electric field amplitudes G i＝1～N And N measured electric field phases θ i＝1～N Corresponding to the i=1~N number of sub-antenna sequentially generated at the j sampling point.The operation unit calculates the displacement phase Δθ i(xyz) To correct the measured electric field phase θ i＝1～N , and according to the input phase shift Δθ i And amplitude scale factor S i To calculate the evaluation array gain G array Of packaged antenna.Avoid the introduction error of traditional technology measuring equipment and the relatively small static area requirement.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a measurement system, in particular, to a system for quickly evaluating the radiation pattern of a packaged antenna phased array and suitable for small cells. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, 5G has achieved commercialization in FR1, and with it comes the application of FR2 higher frequency mmWave bands. To address the high-frequency signal attenuation and consider the short propagation distance limitation, packaged antennas AiP (Antenna in Package) are used in mobile terminals such as smartphones. With the widespread introduction of 5G mmWave AiP into smartphones and the high demand for intelligent driving millimeter-wave radar, it is foreseeable that the demand for AiP will experience explosive growth in the next 3 to 5 years.

[0003] Although the AiP upstream and downstream market opportunities are foreseeable and huge, it is still lacking a fast and accurate evaluation system for evaluating the radiation pattern of AiP using phased array technology when the amplitude and phase change.

[0004] Referring to Figure 1 , a complete packaged antenna AiP includes an antenna element radiation layer L1, a conductive line layer L2, and a radio frequency chip RFIC. The radio frequency chip RFIC gives the corresponding amplitude and phase weight to the antenna elements through the conductive line layer L2, so that the radiation pattern of the antenna element radiation layer L1 changes accordingly.

[0005] Referring to Figure 2 , the existing AiP development stage uses an AiP phased array test system such as the one shown in the figure. It includes a power amplifier unit PA, a plurality of phase shifters PS, and a plurality of coaxial transmission lines 1. The power amplifier unit PA determines the amplitude of the output signal of each antenna patch, and the phase shifters PS change the phase of the output signal of the antenna patch. Such a conventional technology has the following disadvantages:

[0006] (1) Each phase shifter PS and antenna patch 13 are connected by an equal length coaxial transmission line 1. In theory, the same model and equal length coaxial transmission line 1 should have the same path loss and no phase difference, but in reality each coaxial transmission line 1 needs to be measured with a network analyzer to fine-tune the length to reduce the phase difference between them.

[0007] (2) Each coaxial transmission line 1 has an electrical length that varies with frequency. For example, even if the transmission lines are adjusted to have similar phase differences at 28 GHz, the characteristics of the coaxial transmission lines vary with frequency, and the variation trend of the phase difference with frequency is irregular. Therefore, some coaxial transmission lines 1 that are too long at 28 GHz and should be shortened may be too short at 39 GHz and should be lengthened. The coaxial transmission lines 1 introduced for testing requirements introduce measurement errors.

[0008] (3) In addition, the joints 11 and solder points 12 of the coaxial transmission lines 1 also cause different amplitude and phase effects, and even the phase shifters PS also have differences between each other.

[0009] (4) A large quiet zone (QZ) is required to cover the entire antenna-in-package (AiP).

[0010] In summary, the use of external physical measurement equipment 10 to regulate the amplitudes and phases of the antenna patches 13 and directly measure the radiation pattern after beamforming will introduce errors due to the measurement equipment 10 itself, resulting in different results from the actual performance of the product in operation. SUMMARY

[0011] To solve the problems of the prior art, the present application provides a packaged antenna phased array radiation pattern evaluation system that combines measurement and calculation and is suitable for small quiet zones.

[0012] The packaged antenna phased array radiation pattern evaluation system of the present application is suitable for small quiet zones and is applied to a packaged antenna. The packaged antenna includes N sub-antennas, where N is an integer greater than 3, and the N sub-antennas are sequentially numbered as the 1st to Nth sub-antennas. The evaluation system includes a probe, a pattern measurement unit, and a calculation unit.

[0013] The pattern measurement unit is electrically connected to the probe. When the pattern measurement unit performs a measurement, it moves the packaged antenna so that the fixed-position probe sequentially touches the sub-antennas to measure the N measured electric field amplitudes G i＝1～N and the N measured electric field phases θ i＝1～N corresponding to the 1st to Nth sub-antennas at the jth sampling point.

[0014] The calculation unit calculates the corresponding displacement phase Δθ i(xyz) based on the three-axis displacement (Δx, Δy, Δz) of the packaged antenna, as follows:

[0015]

[0016] The spherical coordinate parameters (θ, φ) are the spherical coordinate angles of the j-th sampling point, and the three-axis displacements (Δx, Δy, Δz) are the three axial distances from the feed point of the measured sub-antenna to the geometric center of the packaged antenna. The XYZ three-axis axial definitions of the three-axis displacements are consistent with the XYZ three-axis axial definitions of the spherical coordinates (θ, φ) of the j-th sampling point after being converted to rectangular coordinates.

[0017] The computing unit further measures the phase θ of each electric field. i Subtracting displacement phase Δθ i(xyz) and phase shifted Δθ with the input i The updated phase θ′ is obtained after addition. i .

[0018] The computing unit further measures the amplitude G of each electric field. i With amplitude proportionality coefficient S i After multiplication, the weighted adjusted amplitude G′ is obtained. i .

[0019] The computing unit further calculates the evaluation array gain G of the packaged antenna. array ,as follows:

[0020]

[0021] Preferably, θ′ i =θ i -Δθ i(xyz) +Δθ i .

[0022] Preferably, the magnitude ratios of the N signals input to the 1st to Nth sub-antennas are A1 to A1 in sequence. N When, then the amplitude proportionality coefficient S i as follows:

[0023]

[0024] Preferably, N=4, A1=1, A2=2, A3=2, A4=1, and the four amplitude scaling factors are as follows:

[0025]

[0026] Preferably, N=4, A1=1, A2=1, A3=1, A4=1, and the four amplitude scaling factors are as follows:

[0027]

[0028] Preferably, the parameter j = 1 to K, and the K sampling points are spaced apart from each other and are located on the same preset spatial sphere.

[0029] Preferably, the operation unit further calculates the coordinate position of the jth sampling point and the corresponding evaluation array gain G array The beamforming radiation pattern is plotted.

[0030] Preferably, the field pattern measurement unit is a compact antenna test range (CATR) to measure the package antenna.

[0031] Preferably, the field pattern measurement unit is a direct far field (DFF) to measure the package antenna.

[0032] Preferably, the field pattern measurement unit is a near field to far field transformation (NFTF) to measure the package antenna.

[0033] The effect of the present application is that:

[0034] (1) Smaller quiet zone (QZ) requirement. The size of the quiet zone only needs to cover a small area of the sub-antenna, not the entire package antenna, so as to reduce the overall specification requirements of the compact antenna test range (CATR), or from another perspective, by moving the package antenna, each sub-antenna being measured at the moment is placed in the center of the quiet zone, and in the same test environment, the larger the area of the quiet zone, the greater the amplitude and phase change will be, and the amplitude and phase change in a small area in a large quiet zone will be relatively small. The displacement phase generated by moving the package antenna at the jth sampling point can be numerically deducted by the operation unit.

[0035] (2) By combining measurement and operation, the measured electric field amplitude and the measured electric field phase obtained from each independent sub-antenna measurement, combined with the given arbitrary ratio of amplitude ratio coefficients and input phase shifts, can be numerically operated to eliminate additional measurement devices and components, such as traditional coaxial transmission lines, thereby eliminating measurement errors caused by inconsistencies in additional measurement devices and components.

[0036] (3) Shorten the measurement time and save the time required for the measurement of external entities (see Figure 2 ).

[0037] (4) Save cost. The existing OTA antenna measurement equipment already has the function of measuring the measured electric field amplitude and the measured electric field phase of the sub-antenna, so as long as the operation unit is further combined, it can evaluate how to control the amplitude and phase of the transmit and receive signals of the sub-antennas to achieve the purpose of phased array radiation pattern evaluation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a packaged antenna.

[0039] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a packaged antenna phased array test system.

[0040] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a packaged antenna and probes, illustrating the measurement coordinates of the packaged antenna and probes.

[0042] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a packaged antenna and a rectangular coordinate, illustrating the definition of three-axis displacement.

[0043] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a spherical coordinate sampling point distribution.

[0044] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of correcting the measured electric field phase with displacement phase.

[0045] Figure 8 is a beamforming radiation pattern diagram of the XZ and YZ planes of a packaged antenna with equal input phase shifts.

[0046] Figure 9 is a beamforming radiation pattern diagram of the XZ and YZ planes of a packaged antenna with unequal input phase shifts.

[0047] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention using direct far-field or near-field conversion to far-field technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention for a small coverage area packaged antenna phased array radiation pattern evaluation system includes probes 3, a pattern measurement unit 20, and a calculation unit 30.

[0049] The preferred embodiment is applied to a packaged antenna 2, which includes N (N > 3) sub-antennas 21, and the N sub-antennas 21 are sequentially numbered as the first sub-antenna 21 to the Nth sub-antenna 21. The preferred embodiment can comprehensively measure and calculate to evaluate the evaluation array gain G array and the radiation pattern of the sub-antennas 21 after being given different amplitude ratios and input phase shifts.

[0050] The field type measurement unit 20 is electrically connected to the probe 3. When the field type measurement unit 20 performs measurement work, it moves the packaged antenna 2 so that the probe 3, which is in a fixed position, sequentially touches the sub-antennas 21 and measures the N measured electric field amplitudes G generated sequentially by the first to Nth sub-antennas 21 at the j-th sampling point. i＝1～N and N measured electric field phases θ i＝1～N The field shape measurement unit 20 can be adopted as follows: Figure 3 The Compact Antenna Test Range (CATR) technique was used to measure the packaged antenna 2.

[0051] The arithmetic unit 30 calculates the corresponding displacement phase based on the three-axis displacement (Δx, Δy, Δz) of the packaged antenna 2. Wherein, the spherical coordinate parameters (θ, φ) are the spherical coordinate angles of the j-th sampling point 01, and the three-axis displacements (Δx, Δy, Δz) are the three axial distances (Δx, Δy, Δz) from the feed point 210 of the measured sub-antenna 21 to the geometric center 02 of the packaged antenna 2. The three-axis axial definitions of the three-axis displacements are consistent with the XYZ three-axis axial definitions after the spherical coordinates (θ, φ) of the j-th sampling point 01 are converted into rectangular coordinates.

[0052] by Figure 4 For example, D1 = -7.95mm (Δx = 0, Δy = -7.95mm, Δz = 0), D2 = -2.65mm (Δx = 0, Δy = -2.65mm, Δz = 0), D3=2.65mm (Δx=0, Δy=2.65mm0, Δz=0), D4=7.95mm (Δx=0, Δy=7.95mm, Δz=0).

[0053] by Figure 5 For example, when N=6, the sub-antenna 211 corresponds to Δx=-|ΔX|, Δy=-|ΔY|, Δz=0; the sub-antenna 212 corresponds to Δx=0, Δy=-|ΔY|, Δz=0; the sub-antenna 213 corresponds to Δx=|ΔX|, Δy=-|ΔY|, Δz=0; the sub-antenna 214 corresponds to Δx=-|ΔX|, Δy=|ΔY|, Δz=0; the sub-antenna 215 corresponds to Δx=0, Δy=|ΔY|, Δz=0; and the sub-antenna 216 corresponds to Δx=|ΔX|, Δy=|ΔY|, Δz=0.

[0054] The computing unit 30 further measures the phase θ of each electric field. i Subtracting the displacement phase Δθ i(xyz) and phase shifted by an input Δθ i The summation yields an updated phase θ′ i The computing unit 30 further measures the amplitude G of each electric field.i With an amplitude proportionality coefficient S i After multiplication, the weighted adjusted amplitude G′ is obtained. i The processing unit 30 further calculates an evaluation array gain G of the packaged antenna 20. array ,as follows:

[0055] G′ i =S i ×G i , θ′ i =θi-Δθi(xyz)+Δθ i ,

[0056]

[0057] When the magnitude ratios of the N signals input to the 1st to Nth sub-antennas 21 are A1 to A2 respectively... N When, then the amplitude proportionality coefficient S i as follows:

[0058]

[0059] For example, if there are 4 sub-antennas 21 and the power distribution is 1:2:2:1, then A1 = 1, A2 = 2, A3 = 2, A4 = 1, and the four amplitude ratio coefficients are as follows:

[0060]

[0061] If these sub-antennas 21 have an equal power distribution of 1:1:1:1, then A1 = 1, A2 = 1, A3 = 1, A4 = 1, and the four amplitude scaling factors are as follows:

[0062]

[0063] See Figure 6 The parameters j = 1 to K of the j-th sampling point 01 are K sampling points that are spaced apart from each other and located on a preset spatial sphere. The operation unit 30 further correlates the coordinate position of the j-th sampling point 01 with the corresponding evaluation array gain G. array Plot the beamforming radiation field to obtain the beamforming radiation field pattern.

[0064] For example, the first sampling point j = 1, θ = 90°, φ = 0°; the second sampling point j = 2, θ = 80°, φ = 0°; the third sampling point j = 3, θ = 70°, φ = 0°; and so on, the tenth sampling point j = 10, θ = 0°, φ = 0°; the eleventh sampling point j = 11, θ = -10°, φ = 0°; the twelfth sampling point j = 12, θ = -20°, φ = 0°; and so on, the nineteenth sampling point j = 19, θ = -90°, φ = 0°; the twentieth sampling point j = 20, θ = 90°, φ = 10°; the twenty-first sampling point j = 21, θ = 80°, φ = 10°; the twenty-second sampling point j = 22, θ = 70°, φ = 10°; and so on, the twenty-ninth sampling point j = 29, θ = 0°, φ = 10°; the thirtieth sampling point j = 30, θ = -10°, φ = 10°; the thirty-first sampling point j = 31, θ = -20°, φ = 10°; and so on, all the sampling points 01 are measured and calculated.

[0065] Referring to Figure 7 is the measured electric field phase θ of the jth sampling point 01 on the YZ plane (the radius r of the spherical coordinates is a fixed value, θ = -180° ~ 180°, φ = 90°). i Subtract the displacement phase Δθ i(xyz) With the change of the angle θ, the angle θ can be referred to Figure 4 .

[0066] Referring to Figure 8 is the 1x4 beam forming radiation field pattern of the XZ and YZ planes obtained by inputting equal power to the sub-antennas 211, 212, 213, and 214, S1 = S2 = S3 = S4, and Δθ1 = Δθ2 = Δθ3 = Δθ4.

[0067] Referring to Figure 9 is the 1x4 beam forming radiation field pattern of the XZ and YZ planes obtained by inputting equal power to the sub-antennas 211, 212, 213, and 214, S1 = S2 = S3 = S4, and Δθ1 = 0°, Δθ2 = 60°, Δθ3 = 120°, and Δθ4 = 180°. It can be found from the figure that the array beam angle is indeed deflected by 17° from 0°, and the 1x4 beam forming radiation field pattern is consistent with the electromagnetic simulation software of academic research, so the curves of the radiation field patterns are completely overlapped. i＝1～N

[0068] Referring to Figure 10 , the present embodiment can also use, for example, Figure 3 ​The compact antenna test range (CATR) technology shown to measure the package antenna 2 can also use direct far field (DFF) and near field to far field transformation (NFTF) technology to measure the package antenna 2.

[0069] The present application has the beneficial effects of:

[0070] (1) Smaller quiet zone (QZ) requirement. The size of the quiet zone only needs to cover a small area of the sub-antenna 21, and does not need to cover the entire package antenna 2, so as to reduce the overall specification requirement of the compact antenna test range (CATR), or from another perspective, since the package antenna 2 is moved, each sub-antenna 21 being measured at the moment is located in the quiet zone, and in the same test environment, the larger the area of the quiet zone, the greater the amplitude and phase change will be, and the amplitude and phase change of a small area in a large quiet zone will be relatively small. Moreover, the displacement phase Δθ i(xyz) which can be deducted by the operation unit in numerical form.

[0071] (2) In combination with measurement and operation, the measured electric field amplitude and measured electric field phase obtained from each independent sub-antenna 21 can be combined with the given amplitude ratio coefficients and input phase shifts in numerical operation to eliminate additional measurement equipment and components, such as traditional coaxial transmission lines 1, so as to eliminate the measurement errors introduced by the inconsistency of additional measurement equipment and components.

[0072] (3) Shorten the measurement time and save the time required by the external entity measurement equipment 10 (see Figure 2 ).

[0073] (4) Save cost. The existing OTA antenna measurement equipment already has the function of measuring the amplitude and phase of the sub-antenna 21, so as long as the operation unit 30 is further combined, how to control the transmit and receive signal amplitude and phase of the sub-antennas 21 can be evaluated to achieve the purpose of phased array radiation field pattern evaluation.

[0074] The above only describes the embodiments of the present application, which are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present application.

[0075] Reference signs

[0076] AiP Package antenna

[0077] RFIC Radio frequency chip

[0078] L1 antenna assembly radiating layer

[0079] L2 conductive line layer

[0080] PA power amplifier unit

[0081] PS plurality of phase shifters

[0082] 1 coaxial transmission line

[0083] 11 joint

[0084] 12 soldering point

[0085] 10 measuring device

[0086] 13 antenna patch

[0087] 2 packaged antenna

[0088] 21 sub-antenna

[0089] 211-216 sub-antenna

[0090] 210 feed point

[0091] 20 field pattern measuring unit

[0092] 30 operation unit

[0093] 3 probe

[0094] 4 field pattern measuring unit

[0095] 01 sampling point

[0096] 02 geometric center

Claims

1. A packaged antenna phased array radiation pattern evaluation system suitable for small cell, applied to a packaged antenna, the packaged antenna comprising N sub-antennas, parameter N is an integer greater than 3, sequentially numbered as the 1st to Nth sub-antennas, the evaluation system comprising: a probe; A field pattern measurement unit is electrically connected to the probes. When the field pattern measurement unit performs a measurement operation, the probes are moved to sequentially touch the sub-antennas to measure N electric field amplitudes G and N electric field phases θ i＝1～N correspondingly generated by the 1st to Nth sub-antennas at a jth sampling point i＝1～N ; and An operation unit calculates a displacement phase Δθ corresponding to three-axis displacement (Δx, Δy, Δz) of the package antenna i(xyz) , wherein the spherical coordinate parameters (θ, φ) are the spherical coordinate angles of the jth sampling point, the three axial displacements (Δx, Δy, Δz) are the three axial distances from a feed point of the sub-antenna being measured to a geometric center of the packaged antenna, and the XYZ three-axis axial definitions of the three axial displacements are consistent with the XYZ three-axis axial definitions after the spherical coordinate (θ, φ) of the jth sampling point is converted into rectangular coordinates, The operation unit further adds the displacement phase Δθ to each of the measured electric field phases θ i Subtracting the displacement phase Δθ from each of the measured electric field phases θ i(xyz) i i ,​​ The operation unit further multiplies each of the measured electric field amplitudes G i by an amplitude scaling factor S i to obtain a weight-adjusted amplitude G′ i , The operation unit further calculates an evaluated array gain G of the package antenna array As follows:

2. The packaged antenna phased array radiation field pattern evaluation system suitable for small cell according to claim 1, wherein, θ' i = θ i - Δθ i(xyz) + Δθ i .

3. The packaged antenna phased array radiation field pattern evaluation system for small cells of claim 1, wherein, When the magnitude ratios of the N signals input to the 1st to Nth sub-antennas are A1 to A2 respectively... N When, then the amplitude proportionality coefficient S i as follows:

4. The packaged antenna phased array radiation field pattern evaluation system suitable for small cell according to claim 3, wherein, N = 4, A1 = 1, A2 = 2, A3 = 2, A4 = 1, the four amplitude proportionality coefficients are as follows in order:

5. The packaged antenna phased array radiation field pattern evaluation system suitable for small cell of claim 3, wherein, N = 4, A1 = 1, A2 = 1, A3 = 1, A4 = 1, the four amplitude proportionality coefficients are as follows in order:

6. The packaged antenna phased array radiation field pattern evaluation system for small cells of claim 1, wherein, The parameter j = 1 ~ K, the K sampling points are spaced from each other and are located on a preset spatial sphere together.

7. The packaged antenna phased array radiation field pattern evaluation system suitable for small cell of claim 6, wherein, The operation unit further calculates the coordinate position of the jth sampling point and the corresponding evaluation array gain G array The plot is obtained, and a beam shaping radiation field pattern is obtained.

8. The packaged antenna phased array radiation field pattern evaluation system for small cells of claim 1, wherein, The pattern measurement unit measures the packaged antenna using compact antenna test range (CATR) technology.

9. The packaged antenna phased array radiation field pattern evaluation system for small cells of claim 1, wherein, The pattern measurement unit measures the packaged antenna using direct far field (DFF) technology.

10. The packaged antenna phased array radiation field pattern evaluation system for small cells of claim 1, wherein, The pattern measurement unit measures the packaged antenna using near field to far field transformation (NFTF) technology.

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