A phased array antenna automatic test system and test method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a phased array antenna automatic test system and a test method. The phased array antenna automatic test system includes a vector network analyzer, an antenna horn and a servo system, a phased array antenna, a test fixture, a host computer, etc. The present invention integrates components such as the vector network analyzer, the antenna horn and the servo system, the phased array antenna, and the test fixture in traditional phased array tests by using a host computer to form an integrated control system, achieving seamless integration of the anechoic chamber test system and the antenna control system, saving a large amount of manpower and material resources, and reducing the error rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a phased array antenna automatic test system and a test method, belonging to the technical field of antenna testing. Background Art

[0002] As the core component of the phased array antenna, the TR component plays a key role in the normal use of the entire antenna. At present, due to the improvement of processing technology and manufacturing level, the consistency of the performance indicators of the TR components of the phased array antenna has been greatly improved, but it still does not meet the current usage requirements of the phased array antenna. Therefore, the debugging of the phased array antenna still needs to correct each TR component of the antenna one by one in the anechoic chamber. With the continuous development of the phased array antenna towards two-dimensional multi-level, the number of antennas is increasing, and the workload of test correction is also increasing.

[0003] The traditional test method is to manually correct each TR component of the phased array antenna in the anechoic chamber. At least two people are required to operate. One person is responsible for controlling the upper computer, and the other person is responsible for operating the instrument and recording information such as the phase and amplitude of each TR component. This test method has a high labor cost and is also prone to errors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Technical Problem to be Solved

[0005] In order to avoid the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a phased array antenna automatic test system and a test method to realize the automatic test of the TR components of the phased array antenna, which is an urgent technical problem in the field.

[0006] Technical Solution

[0007] A phased array antenna automatic test system, characterized by comprising a vector network analyzer, an antenna horn and a servo system, a phased array antenna, a test fixture and an upper computer.

[0008] The vector network analyzer is used to collect the phase and amplitude of the TR components of the phased array antenna.

[0009] When the antenna is performing receiving tests, the port 1 of the vector network analyzer is connected to the antenna horn, and the RF signal is sent to all the TR components of the phased array antenna through the antenna horn. The port 2 of the vector network analyzer receives the RF signals returned by different components, and the final test results are displayed on the vector network analyzer interface.

[0010] When the antenna is performing transmitting tests, the connection of the vector network analyzer is opposite to the receiving state; the port 2 of the vector network analyzer is connected to the antenna through an RF cable. The RF signal transmitted by the antenna is received through the antenna horn, and the antenna horn is connected to the port 1 of the vector network analyzer. The final test results in the transmitting state can also be displayed on the vector network analyzer interface.

[0011] The antenna horn and servo system include an antenna horn and a servo system. The antenna horn is used to transmit or receive radio frequency signals. The servo system controls the two-degree-of-freedom movement of the antenna horn according to the control signal sent by the host computer to cope with the tests of TR components in different areas of the phased array antenna.

[0012] The phased array antenna is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array antenna, and the antenna element spacing is kept equal.

[0013] The test fixture receives the control instructions sent by the host computer. The control instructions include the action commands of the phased array antenna and the action commands of the servo system. Based on the control instructions sent by the host computer, on the one hand, the phased array antenna controls different TR components to complete transmission and reception according to the control instructions. On the other hand, the servo system controls the antenna horn to move to the position of the corresponding TR component according to the control instructions to complete the transmission or reception of radio frequency signals.

[0014] The host computer is a test terminal, which can intuitively display the current test progress and send control instructions through the serial port to complete the actions of the phased array antenna and the servo system.

[0015] A further technical solution of the present invention: The host computer includes "serial port transceiver", "current operation" display box, "working mode" setting, "band division" setting, "beam setting", "angle setting", "backward control", "loop command", "automatic execution", "send data" button, "terminate sending" button.

[0016] A further technical solution of the present invention: The "serial port transceiver" includes a serial port receiving box, a serial port sending box, serial port control commands, serial port ID setting, baud rate setting, transmission bit and stop bit setting.

[0017] The serial port receiving box displays the serial port data sent by the test fixture to this window.

[0018] The serial port sending box is an input box, and control commands can be manually sent down for debugging.

[0019] The serial port control commands include "open" button, "close" button, "clear" button and "send" button. After the serial port information is set, clicking the "open" button can open the serial port, clicking the "close" button can close the serial port, clicking the "send" button can send the serial port commands in the serial port sending box, and clicking the "clear" button can clear the information in the serial port sending box.

[0020] The serial port ID setting uses a drop-down box to set the serial port com number.

[0021] The baud rate setting also uses a drop-down box to set the serial port baud rate.

[0022] The transmission bit sets the number of bits for serial port transmission, and click the drop-down box to set it;

[0023] The stop bit sets the number of stop bits for the serial port, and click the drop-down box to set it.

[0024] A further technical solution of the present invention: The "loop command" includes "channel traversal" and "frequency traversal", and automatically executes the channel traversal or frequency traversal command according to the loop duration set by the user without manual intervention. At any time, the operation command is displayed in real time by the "current operation" box.

[0025] A further technical solution of the present invention: The "automated execution" area includes "read" and "execute" buttons. The "read" button can read the txt format file that has been edited inside the machine. This file is edited by the user according to the specified format. After clicking the "read" button, the read result will be stored in the cache. When clicking the "execute" button, the host computer can issue commands in sequence according to the commands edited by the user.

[0026] A phased array antenna automated test method, characterized by the following steps:

[0027] (1) Arrange the test site according to the test requirements, connect each instrument and equipment, place the antenna horn, servo system, vector network analyzer, phased array antenna and test fixture inside the anechoic chamber, and connect to the external PC through network cable and serial cable;

[0028] (2) Place the antenna horn at the original coordinate position, that is, the position of the phased array antenna element (1,1), and debug to enable the PC to remotely access the vector network analyzer interface. At the same time, open the PC serial port to enable serial communication with the test fixture;

[0029] (3) Open the host computer interface. First, set the serial port ID, baud rate, transmission bit and stop bit according to the prompt in the lower left corner of the host computer. After correct setting, open the serial port;

[0030] (4) Make settings according to various controls on the right side of the host computer interface. Note that for the first time, select "array 1" in the "array number" drop-down box and "element 1" in the "element number" drop-down box, and click the "send data" button. At this time, start testing the antenna element (1,1), and the vector network analyzer displays the test results of this antenna;

[0031] (5) If manual testing is performed, according to the test requirements, select the "array number" or "element number" to the specified array and element positions, and click "send data" without changing other settings;

[0032] (6) At this time, the host computer automatically calculates. If the time for the antenna horn to move to an adjacent antenna unit is δ, when the antenna horn moves in the X direction, it will also move in the Y direction at the same time. Compare the magnitudes of the movement times (m - 1)δ and (n - 1)δ in the X direction. The larger value of the two is t1, and this time is the minimum time for the servo system to work prior to the antenna assembly;

[0033] (7) In addition to t1, the host computer also adds a certain delay t2 to protect the TR component;

[0034] (8) At this time, take T1 = t1 + t2 as the time for the servo mechanism to work prior to the antenna assembly. The value of T1 is the 12th bit (Byte12) of the serial communication protocol;

[0035] (9) Transmit the data through the serial port to the test fixture. The test fixture will calculate the delay time T1 based on the 12th bit (Byte12) information of the data. That is, after the test fixture issues a control command to the servo system, it will delay for T1 before issuing a control command to the phased array antenna, so as to ensure that the antenna horn can reach the position to be measured before the component works;

[0036] (10) When the antenna conducts transmission or reception tests, the waveform displayed by the vector network analyzer will be remotely synchronized to the PC, and the user can directly analyze it;

[0037] (11) Any command issued by the host computer at any moment will be displayed in the "Current Operation" box;

[0038] (12) Steps (5 - 11) are the process of manual testing. When it is necessary to traverse channels or frequencies, operate on the "Loop Command" area;

[0039] (13) Set the loop duration as needed. It should be noted that the default minimum value of the loop duration is (δ + t2), because the minimum value of the loop duration is the time δ for the antenna horn to move to an adjacent antenna unit and the delay protection time t2;

[0040] (14) Click "Channel Traversal" to start channel traversal. The test antenna horn completes the tests of all antenna units of the phased array antenna. Suppose the total number of antennas is a × a, then the total test duration is T2 = [(a - 1)(δ + t2) + (a - 1)δ]a - (a - 1)δ;

[0041] (15) Click "Frequency Traversal" to start frequency traversal. At this time, the antenna horn will remain stationary at the current position and automatically conduct tests according to the frequency commands issued by the host computer. Suppose a certain antenna unit has conducted b different frequency tests, then the total test duration is b(δ + t2);

[0042] (16) When the host computer performs "channel traversal" and "frequency traversal" operations, the host computer will capture the current screen image at the moment of each command issuance. At this time, it will automatically save the vector network analyzer test results of the previous command issuance and store the saved image in the specified folder. After the test is completed, the user can directly open the screenshot file for analysis;

[0043] (17) Steps (13 - 16) are the operation processes of "channel traversal" and "frequency traversal". When the user performs a custom test according to the test requirements, the "Automated Execution" area is operated;

[0044] (18) First, it is necessary to add a txt file in the specified file directory of the PC, fill in the channels, frequencies or other settings to be traversed according to the reading requirements of the host computer, and input the loop duration on the host computer interface.

[0045] (19) Click the "Read" button, and the host computer will analyze and issue the user - defined test requirements. Click the "Execute" button, and the host computer will automatically issue commands according to the loop duration defined by the user. Similarly, each time the host computer issues a command, it will capture and save the vector network analyzer test results of the previous time;

[0046] (20) During the process of automated testing, the "Terminate Sending" button can be clicked to pause the current test.

[0047] Beneficial Effects

[0048] A phased - array antenna automated test system and test method provided by the present invention have the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0049] (1) In the present invention, by improving the traditional antenna test host computer and modifying the host computer control program, the work that originally required multiple people to participate is integrated as much as possible through the host computer, achieving a seamless combination of the anechoic chamber test system and the antenna control system, saving a large amount of manpower and material resources, etc.

[0050] (2) In the present invention, by directly controlling the servo system and the phased - array antenna through the host computer, the coordinated cooperation of the servo system, vector network analyzer and antenna is realized, reducing the error rate caused by manual operation.

[0051] (3) In the present invention, due to the integration of the automated test program, the test requirements set by the user are automatically traversed and executed, and the test results are automatically saved, improving the test efficiency.

[0052] (4) The host computer in the present invention is more intelligent, can synchronously display the current test operation, and at the same time reminds the user of incorrect input commands through a pop - up window and displays the error reason, facilitating the user's next operation. Description of the Drawings

[0053] The accompanying drawings are only for the purpose of showing specific embodiments and are not considered as limiting the present invention. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same components.

[0054] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of the phased array antenna automatic test system of the present invention. The upper half of the dotted line is the anechoic chamber where the test system is placed, and the lower half is the control room for the operator;

[0055] Figure 2 This is a working block diagram of the phased array antenna test system of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 3 This is a working block diagram of the test fixture of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 4 This is a hardware block diagram of the test fixture of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 5 This is the software interface of the upper computer of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 6 This is the prompt interface of the upper computer of the present invention in the case of user input error;

[0060] Figure 7 This is the operation guidance interface of the upper computer of the present invention for the user. Detailed embodiments

[0061] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. In addition, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0062] A phased array antenna automatic test system provided by the present invention includes a vector network analyzer (hereinafter referred to as VNA), an antenna horn and a servo system, a phased array antenna, a test fixture, and an upper computer, etc.

[0063] The VNA is used to collect indexes such as the phase and amplitude of the TR components of the phased array antenna.

[0064] When the antenna is performing reception tests, the VNA port 1 is connected to the antenna horn, and the RF signal is sent to all the TR components of the phased array antenna through the antenna horn. The VNA port 2 receives the RF signals returned by different components and displays the final test results on the VNA instrument interface.

[0065] When the antenna is undergoing transmission testing, the connection of the vector network analyzer is opposite to the receiving state. The port 2 of the vector network analyzer is connected to the antenna through a radio frequency cable. The radio frequency signal transmitted by the antenna is received by the antenna horn, and the antenna horn is connected to the port 1 of the vector network analyzer. Finally, the test results in the transmission state can also be displayed on the interface of the vector network analyzer instrument.

[0066] The antenna horn and the servo system mainly include an antenna horn and a servo system. The antenna horn is used to transmit or receive radio frequency signals. The servo system controls the two-degree-of-freedom movement of the antenna horn according to the control signal sent by the host computer to cope with the testing of TR components in different regions of the phased array antenna.

[0067] The phased array antenna is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array antenna, and the antenna element spacing usually remains equal.

[0068] The test fixture receives the control instructions sent by the host computer. The control instructions mainly include the action commands of the phased array antenna and the action commands of the servo system. Based on the control instructions sent by the host computer, on the one hand, the phased array antenna controls different TR components to complete actions such as transmission and reception according to the control instructions. On the other hand, the servo system controls the antenna horn to move to the corresponding TR component position according to the control instructions to complete the sending or receiving of radio frequency signals, etc.

[0069] The host computer is a test terminal, which can intuitively display the current test progress and send control instructions through the serial port to complete the actions of the phased array antenna and the servo system.

[0070] The host computer mainly consists of a "serial port transceiver", a display box for "current operation", settings for "working mode", settings for "band division", "beam setting", "angle setting", "backward control", "loop command", "automatic execution", buttons for "sending data", a button for "terminating sending", etc.

[0071] The "serial port transceiver" mainly includes a serial port receiving box, a serial port sending box, serial port control commands, serial port ID settings, baud rate settings, transmission bit and stop bit settings, etc.

[0072] The serial port receiving box displays the serial port data sent by the test fixture in this window.

[0073] The serial port sending box is an input box, through which control commands can be manually sent down, mainly for debugging.

[0074] The serial port control commands include a "turn on" button, a "turn off" button, a "clear" button, and a "send" button, etc. After the serial port information is set, clicking the "turn on" button can open the serial port, clicking the "turn off" button can close the serial port, clicking the "send" button can send the serial port command in the serial port sending box, and clicking the "clear" button can clear the information in the serial port sending box.

[0075] The serial port ID setting uses a drop-down box to set the serial port com number.

[0076] The baud rate setting also uses a drop-down box to set the serial port baud rate.

[0077] The transmission bit setting is used to set the number of bits for serial port transmission, and click the drop-down box to set it.

[0078] The stop bit setting is used to set the number of stop bits for the serial port, and click the drop-down box to set it.

[0079] The "Current Operation" display box displays the information sent by the current serial port, and can display the complete serial port output instruction and the data transmission bit number.

[0080] The "Working Mode" setting is used to set the working mode of the phased array antenna, including array surface reset, transmission, reception, and transmission and reception, etc. Select the corresponding radio button according to the actual working mode.

[0081] The "Band Division" setting is used to set the working band of the phased array antenna, and select according to the actual band.

[0082] The "Beam Setting" includes beam shape, working frequency point, strip array number, element number, etc. Among them, the beam shape includes wide beam and narrow beam, etc., and select according to the actual situation in the drop-down box; the working frequency point is an input box, and input the working frequency point of the antenna; the strip array number and element number are selected in the drop-down box according to the actual working unit of the antenna.

[0083] The "Angle Setting" includes input boxes for azimuth angle and elevation angle, and is used to set the azimuth angle and elevation angle at which the antenna beam works. The data type is float, and one decimal place is supported for input.

[0084] The "Back-off Control" is used to set the relative value of the transmission power of the phased array antenna. When "No Back-off" is selected in the drop-down box, the antenna transmission power is full power. When "Back-off 1dB" is selected, the antenna transmission power is 1dB less than full power at this time, and so on.

[0085] The "Loop Command" includes "Channel Traversal" and "Frequency Traversal", etc. It can automatically execute the channel traversal or frequency traversal command according to the pre-set program according to the loop duration set by the user without manual intervention. The operation command at any time is displayed in real time by the "Current Operation" box.

[0086] The operations of "Channel Traversal" and "Frequency Traversal" will call the underlying command of computer screen capture, and can remotely connect the test interface of instruments such as vector network analyzer to the test PC. When the upper computer executes the "Channel Traversal" or "Frequency Traversal" operation, the PC screen image will be captured during the test of each channel or frequency. When the test is completed, the user can call the test results of the vector network analyzer for further analysis.

[0087] The "Automated Execution" area contains "Read" and "Execute" buttons. The "Read" button can read the txt format file that has been edited internally in the device. This file is edited by the user according to the specified format. After clicking the "Read" button, the read result will be stored in the cache. When the "Execute" button is clicked, the host computer can issue commands sequentially according to the commands edited by the user.

[0088] The "Automated Execution" function can also achieve the automated acquisition of vector network analyzer test results, facilitating subsequent analysis.

[0089] The "Send Data" button is used for command issuance.

[0090] The "Terminate Sending" button is used to pause the control command issuance of "Loop Command" or "Automated Execution", that is, to pause the current test.

[0091] The main process of the phased array antenna 3 automated test system of the present invention is as follows:

[0092] First, according to Figure 1 Arrange the test site and connect each test instrument. Except for the PC, other test instruments and the phased array antenna 3 are placed inside the anechoic chamber. Adjust the relative positions of the phased array antenna 3, the antenna horn, and the servo system 2 and set the test environment of the vector network analyzer 1. Then place the antenna horn at the origin position, that is, the position of the antenna element (1,1). Turn on the host computer 5, and after connecting the serial port, select the strip array number and element number as "Strip Array 1" and "Element 1" respectively, and start the test. At this time, first record the transmitted or received vector network analyzer 1 test image at the antenna element (1,1).

[0093] When performing manual testing, the user changes the strip array number or element number according to the test requirements and clicks "Send Data". At this time, the internal algorithm of the host computer 5 will automatically calculate the time t1 for the antenna horn to move to the antenna element to be tested, and an additional delay t2 is added. That is, the time T = t1 + t2 is the time for the servo mechanism to act before the TR component. The test fixture 4 automatically allocates the working timing of the servo system and the TR component according to T in the serial port information. After the antenna horn moves to the position of the antenna element to be tested and delays for t2, the TR component starts to work. At this time, the vector network analyzer 1 will record the test image of the antenna element at this position and remotely transmit it to the PC, and the user can perform real-time analysis and proceed to the next test.

[0094] When starting automated testing (channel traversal, frequency traversal, or automated execution), a specified program has been pre-written in the host computer 5. The program will automatically perform automated testing according to the loop duration. The host computer 5 will continuously issue commands for automated testing, and at the same time, capture the current PC screen image when each command is issued, that is, save the test result after the previous command is issued. When the automated testing is completed, the test result of the last test executed by the program will be displayed on the vector network analyzer 1 interface, and the user can save it manually.

[0095] After the automated test is completed, the user only needs to find the screenshot file directory automatically saved by the host computer 5 for analysis.

[0096] The detailed test process of the present invention is as follows:

[0097] (1) Arrange the test site according to the test requirements, connect each instrument and equipment, place the antenna horn, servo system, vector network analyzer 1, phased array antenna 3 and test fixture 4 inside the anechoic chamber, and connect them to the external PC through network cable and serial cable.

[0098] (2) Place the antenna horn at the original coordinate position, that is, the position of the phased array antenna 3 unit (1,1), debug to enable the PC to remotely access the vector network analyzer 1 interface, and at the same time open the PC serial port to enable serial communication with the test fixture 4.

[0099] (3) Open the host computer 5 interface. First, set information such as the serial port ID, baud rate, transmission bits, and stop bits according to the prompts in the lower left corner of the host computer 5. After correct setting, open the serial port.

[0100] (4) Set according to various controls on the right side of the host computer 5 interface. Note that for the first time, select "Array 1" in the "Array Number" drop-down box and "Element 1" in the "Element Number" drop-down box, and click the "Send Data" button. At this time, start testing the antenna unit (1,1), and the vector network analyzer 1 displays the test results of this antenna.

[0101] (5) If manual testing is performed, according to the test requirements, select the specified array and element positions in the "Array Number" or "Element Number", for example, select array m for the array and element n for the element, and click "Send Data" without changing other settings.

[0102] (6) At this time, the underlying program of the host computer 5 will automatically calculate. If the time for the antenna horn to move to the adjacent antenna unit is δ, when the antenna horn moves in the X direction (parallel to the array), it will also move in the Y direction (perpendicular to the array) at the same time. The program will compare the movement time (m - 1)δ in the X direction with the movement time (n - 1)δ in the Y direction. The larger value of the two is t1, and this time is the minimum time for the servo system to work before the antenna component.

[0103] (7) In addition to t1, the host computer 5 program also adds a certain delay t2 to protect the TR component.

[0104] (8) At this time, take T1 = t1 + t2 as the time for the servo mechanism to work before the antenna component, and the value of T1 is the Byte12 bit of the serial communication protocol.

[0105] (9) Transmit the data through the serial port to the test tooling 4. The test tooling 4 will calculate the delay time T1 based on the Byte12-bit information of the data, that is, the test tooling 4 will send a control command to the servo system and then delay T1 before sending a control command to the phased array antenna 3, so as to ensure that the antenna horn can reach the position to be measured before the component works.

[0106] (10) When the antenna conducts transmission or reception tests, the waveform displayed by the vector network analyzer 1 will be synchronized remotely to the PC, and the user can directly analyze it.

[0107] (11) The command at any moment issued by the host computer 5 will be displayed in the "Current Operation" box.

[0108] (12) Steps (5-11) are the process of manual testing. When it is necessary to traverse channels or frequencies, operate on the "Loop Command" area.

[0109] (13) Set the loop duration as needed. It should be noted that the default minimum value of the loop duration is (δ + t2), because the minimum value of the loop duration is the time δ for the antenna horn to move to the adjacent antenna element and the delay protection time t2.

[0110] (14) Click "Channel Traversal" to start channel traversal. The test antenna horn will complete the tests of all antenna elements of the phased array antenna 3 according to the predetermined program. Suppose the total number of antennas is a×a, then the total test duration is T2 = [(a - 1)(δ + t2) + (a - 1)δ]a - (a - 1)δ.

[0111] (15) Click "Frequency Traversal" to start frequency traversal. At this time, the antenna horn will remain stationary at the current position and automatically conduct tests according to the frequency command issued by the host computer 5. Suppose a certain antenna element has conducted b different frequency tests, then the total test duration is b(δ + t2).

[0112] (16) When the host computer 5 executes the "Channel Traversal" and "Frequency Traversal" operations, the host computer 5 will capture the current screen image at the moment of each command issuance. At this time, it will automatically save the test results of the vector network analyzer 1 for the previous command issuance and store the saved image in the specified folder. After the test is completed, the user can directly open the screenshot file for analysis.

[0113] (17) Steps (13-16) are the operation processes of "Channel Traversal" and "Frequency Traversal". When the user conducts custom tests according to the test requirements, operate on the "Automated Execution" area.

[0114] (18) First, it is necessary to add a txt file in the specified file directory of the PC, fill in the channels, frequencies or other settings to be traversed according to the reading requirements of the host computer 5, and input the loop duration on the interface of the host computer 5.

[0115] (19) When the "Read" button is clicked, the host computer 5 will analyze the user-defined test requirements and issue the program. When the "Execute" button is clicked, the host computer 5 will automatically issue commands according to the loop duration defined by the user. Similarly, each time the host computer 5 issues a command, it will intercept and save the test result of the previous vector network analyzer 1.

[0116] (20) During the automated test, the "Terminate Sending" button can be clicked to pause the current test.

[0117] The automated test system of the present invention has a high degree of integration, integrating the workload that originally required multiple people and multiple PCs into a fully automatic control mode that only requires one PC. The test efficiency can be increased by at least 50% compared to the previous test, and test errors are avoided through the fully automatic software.

[0118] Table 1 Communication protocol of host computer 5

[0119]

[0120] The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention can easily think of various equivalent modifications or substitutions, and these modifications or substitutions should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated testing method for a phased array antenna, characterized in that Testing is carried out based on a phased array antenna automated test system. The phased array antenna automated test system includes a vector network analyzer, an antenna horn and a servo system, a phased array antenna, a test fixture, and a host computer. The vector network analyzer is used to collect the phase and amplitude of the TR components of the phased array antenna. When the antenna is undergoing receiving tests, the vector network analyzer port 1 is connected to the antenna horn, and the RF signal is sent through the antenna horn to all the TR components of the phased array antenna. The vector network analyzer port 2 receives the RF signals returned by different TR components, and the final test results are displayed on the instrument interface of the vector network analyzer. When the antenna is undergoing transmitting tests, the wiring of the vector network analyzer is opposite to the receiving state. The vector network analyzer port 2 is connected to the antenna through an RF cable, and the RF signal transmitted by the antenna is received through the antenna horn. The antenna horn is connected to the vector network analyzer port 1, and the final test results in the transmitting state can also be displayed on the instrument interface of the vector network analyzer. The antenna horn and servo system include an antenna horn and a servo system. The antenna horn is used to transmit or receive RF signals. The servo system controls the two-degree-of-freedom movement of the antenna horn according to the control signal sent by the host computer to cope with the tests of the TR components in different areas of the phased array antenna. The phased array antenna is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array antenna, and the antenna element spacing is kept equal. The test fixture receives the control instructions sent by the host computer, and the control instructions include the action commands of the phased array antenna and the action commands of the servo system. Based on the control instructions sent by the host computer, on the one hand, the phased array antenna controls different TR components to complete transmission and reception according to the control instructions. On the other hand, the servo system controls the antenna horn to move to the position of the corresponding TR component according to the control instructions to complete the transmission or reception of RF signals. The host computer is a test terminal, which can intuitively display the current test progress and send control instructions through the serial port to complete the actions of the phased array antenna and the servo system. The steps are as follows: (1) Arrange the test site according to the test requirements, connect all the instrument devices, place the antenna horn and servo system, vector network analyzer, phased array antenna, and test fixture inside the anechoic chamber, and connect them to the external PC through network cables and serial cables. (2) Place the antenna horn at the original coordinate position, that is, the position of the phased array antenna element (1,1). Debug to enable the PC to remotely access the vector network analyzer interface, and at the same time open the PC serial port to enable serial communication with the test fixture. (3) Open the host computer interface. First, set the serial port ID, baud rate, transmission bits, and stop bits according to the prompts in the lower left corner of the host computer. After correct setting, open the serial port. (4) Make settings according to various controls on the right side of the host computer interface. Note that for the first time, select "Array 1" in the "Array Number" drop-down box and "Element 1" in the "Element Number" drop-down box, and click the "Send Data" button. At this time, start testing the antenna element (1,1), and the vector network analyzer displays the test results of this antenna. (5)If manual testing is to be performed, according to the test requirements, select the "bar array number" or "element number" to the specified bar array and element position, and click "Send Data" without changing other settings; (6)At this time, the host computer automatically calculates. If the time for the antenna horn to move to the adjacent antenna element is δ, when the antenna horn moves in the X direction, it will move in the Y direction at the same time. Compare the magnitudes of the movement times (m - 1)δ and (n - 1)δ in the X direction, and the larger value of the two is t1. This time is the minimum time for the servo system to work prior to the TR component; where m is the bar array number and n is the element number; (7)In addition to t1, the host computer also adds a certain delay t2 to protect the TR component; (8)At this time, take T1 = t1 + t2 as the time for the servo mechanism to work prior to the TR component. The value of T1 is the 12th bit (Byte12) of the serial communication protocol; (9)Send the transmitted data to the test fixture through the serial port. The test fixture will calculate the delay time T1 based on the Byte12 bit information of the data, that is, the test fixture will send a control command to the servo system and then delay for T1 before sending a control command to the phased array antenna, so as to ensure that the antenna horn can reach the position to be measured prior to the work of the TR component; (10)When the antenna is performing transmission or reception testing, the waveform displayed by the vector network analyzer will be synchronized remotely to the PC, and the user can directly analyze it; (11)Any command issued by the host computer at any moment will be displayed in the "Current Operation" box; (12)Steps (5 - 11) are the process of manual testing. When it is necessary to traverse channels or frequencies, operate on the "Loop Command" area; (13)Set the loop duration as needed. It should be noted that the default minimum value of the loop duration is (δ + t2), because the minimum value of the loop duration is the time δ for the antenna horn to move to the adjacent antenna element and the delay protection time t2; (14)Click "Channel Traversal" to start channel traversal. The test antenna horn completes the testing of all antenna elements of the phased array antenna. Suppose the total number of antennas is a×a, then the total testing duration is T2 = [(a - 1)(δ + t2) + (a - 1)δ]a - (a - 1)δ; (15)Click "Frequency Traversal" to start frequency traversal. At this time, the antenna horn will remain stationary at the current position and automatically perform testing according to the frequency command issued by the host computer. Suppose a certain antenna element has performed b different frequency tests, then the total testing duration is b(δ + t2); (16)When the host computer executes the "Channel Traversal" and "Frequency Traversal" operations, the host computer will capture the current screen image at the moment of each command issuance. At this time, it will automatically save the test results of the vector network analyzer issued by the previous command and store the saved images in the specified folder. After the testing is completed, the user can directly open the screenshot file for analysis; (17)Steps (13 - 16) are the operation processes of "Channel Traversal" and "Frequency Traversal". When the user performs custom testing according to the test requirements, operate on the "Automated Execution" area; (18) First, it is necessary to add a txt file in the specified file directory of the PC, fill in the channels, frequencies or other settings to be traversed according to the requirements of the host computer for reading, and input the loop duration in the host computer interface. (19) Click the "Read" button, and the host computer will analyze and issue the test requirements defined by the user. Click the "Execute" button, and the host computer will automatically issue commands according to the loop duration defined by the user. Similarly, each time the host computer issues a command, it will intercept and save the test results of the previous vector network analyzer. (20) During the process of automated testing, click the "Terminate Sending" button to pause the current test.

2. The automated testing method for a phased array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The host computer includes "Serial Port Transceiver", "Current Operation" display box, "Working Mode" setting, "Band Division" setting, "Beam Setting", "Angle Setting", "Backward Control", "Loop Command", "Automated Execution", "Send Data" button and "Terminate Sending" button.

3. The automated testing method for a phased array antenna according to claim 2, wherein: The "Serial Port Transceiver" includes a serial port receiving box, a serial port sending box, serial port control commands, serial port ID setting, baud rate setting, transmission bit and stop bit setting. The serial port receiving box displays the serial port data sent by the test tooling in this serial port receiving box. The serial port sending box is an input box, and control commands can be manually issued for debugging. The serial port control commands include "Open", "Close", "Clear" and "Send" buttons. After the serial port information is set, click the "Open" button to open the serial port, click the "Close" button to close the serial port, click the "Send" button to send the serial port command in the serial port sending box, and click the "Clear" button to clear the information in the serial port sending box. The serial port ID setting uses a drop-down box to set the serial port com number. The baud rate setting also uses a drop-down box to set the serial port baud rate. The transmission bit sets the serial port transmission bit number, and click the drop-down box to set it. The stop bit sets the serial port stop bit number, and click the drop-down box to set it.

4. The automated testing method for a phased array antenna according to claim 2, wherein: The "Loop Command" includes "Channel Traversal" and "Frequency Traversal", and automatically executes the channel traversal or frequency traversal command according to the loop duration set by the user without manual intervention. The operation command is displayed in real time by the "Current Operation" box at any time.

5. The automated testing method for a phased array antenna according to claim 2, wherein: The "Automated Execution" area includes "Read" and "Execute" buttons. The "Read" button can read the txt format file that has been edited internally in the local machine. This file is edited by the user according to the specified format. After clicking the "Read" button, the read result will be stored in the cache. When clicking the "Execute" button, the host computer can issue commands in sequence according to the commands edited by the user.

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