Radio frequency unit calibration and group measurement system and method

Abstract

The application discloses a correction and group measurement system and method of radio frequency unit, which comprises a control device, a signal source device, a test platform and a measurement device. The test platform and the measurement device are used for M times of measurement. In each measurement, the microwave signal source provided by the signal source device is converted into a random microwave signal with N random amplitudes and phases by the test platform, and the N radio frequency units placed on the test platform are excited to output each random microwave signal. Each random microwave signal is superimposed on the measured path to form a measurement signal. The measurement device receives the measurement signals of the M times of measurement and converts them into M measurement information respectively. The control device solves the signal of the M measurement information, and performs iteration and convergence calculation on all the solving results to obtain the correction information of the N radio frequency units in a specific state, so as to correct the radio frequency unit by using the correction information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a calibration system and method, and more particularly to a RF unit calibration and group measurement system and method for obtaining measurement information of a radio frequency unit under a specific excitation state in extreme situations where phase information is lacking and only power or amplitude information is available. Background Technology

[0002] High-frequency wireless communication requires the use of array antennas to improve gain and compensate for electromagnetic propagation losses. This active antenna unit is constructed from an antenna and an RF transceiver module. The active RF transceiver module, by adjusting the amplitude and phase of its output, excites the antenna to generate a radiated beam. Inaccuracies between measured and simulated antenna radiation field patterns can stem from manufacturing errors and malfunctions in the antenna, active RF module, and mechanisms, leading to operational errors and discrepancies in the array antenna. Therefore, to obtain accurate antenna radiation field patterns, we need to verify the proper functioning of the antenna and RF module and calibrate the errors generated by the antenna radiation and RF module output. Furthermore, the inaccuracy between measured and simulated antenna radiation field patterns can also arise from manufacturing defects in the antenna components themselves (including the RF transceiver and radiation modules, such as millimeter-wave antennas made of microstrip lines). This can cause antenna component failures or malfunctions, especially failures in the active transceiver module, resulting in inaccurate measured antenna radiation field patterns. Such problems are especially likely to occur when the antenna element is an array antenna, which is composed of multiple sub-array antenna elements. For example, an antenna-in-package (AIP) may contain a large number of antenna elements. The failure or malfunction of any one of these antenna elements will cause inaccurate measurements of the antenna radiation field pattern.

[0003] Furthermore, the radiation beam of a phase array antenna is generated by a beamforming network (BFN), which includes active RF transceiver elements and phase shifters to excite the antenna array. As beamforming circuits are increasingly used at higher frequency bands, they are prone to phase errors, leading to beam defects. This necessitates complex methods to correct the phase array antenna, achieved by adjusting the output amplitude and phase of the RF transceiver module. Therefore, the inventor's previously filed Taiwan Patent No. I739181B (Invention Title: Phase Array Antenna Correction Method, hereinafter referred to as: the Prior Patent) utilizes the far-field radiation data and the excitation data of the antenna elements to satisfy the Fourier transform relationship. Thus, the Discrete Fourier Transform can be used to correct the antenna array, ensuring that the co-polarized far-field radiation sources have equal phase and amplitude in the boresight direction. This error-corrected phase and amplitude are stored using a digital phase shifter as a reference value for the scanning beam.

[0004] However, the previous patent application corrected antenna amplitude and phase errors using vertically orthogonal signals and the Fourier transform matrix as an example. This method involves complex calculation equations, especially since the measured signals are not vertically orthogonal. The required equipment (such as vector network analyzers) must simultaneously measure the power (amplitude information) and phase of the antenna's radiated electromagnetic field, making it quite expensive and a significant burden on the production line. Therefore, there is a need for a simpler solution method to obtain the antenna's phase error and amplitude information as preparatory calibration information before signal verification. This method should also be able to identify which antenna element has a failure or malfunction, and establish a beamforming excitation amplitude and phase table. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the cost issues of existing technologies, the purpose of this invention is to use signals with different random phases and amplitudes to excite each antenna element to radiate electromagnetic waves, and to measure and analyze the radiated power using a power meter. The measurement results are then iteratively converged to obtain the amplitude and phase difference information of the antenna elements, which can then be used for subsequent antenna calibration. This invention is also applicable when the measurement information simultaneously provides correction solutions for amplitude and phase difference information, or when the measurement signals are not perpendicular or orthogonal, and in extreme measurement scenarios where only power or amplitude information is used and phase information is lacking. This invention is also applicable to the testing of group antenna package modules or group RF modules.

[0006] According to the present invention, a radio frequency (RF) unit calibration and group testing system is provided. This system includes a control device, a signal source device, a test platform, and a measuring device. The control device is connected to the signal source device, the test platform, and the measuring device, and provides control information to the signal source device and the test platform. The test platform is connected to the signal source device and the measuring device. The signal source device provides a microwave signal source to the test platform. The test platform is provided to house N RF units. The test platform and the measuring device perform M measurements, each measuring N RF units. The test platform converts the microwave signal source into N random microwave signals and transmits these N random microwave signals to the N RF units and the control device. One of the N RF units outputs one of the N random microwave signals. All the output N random microwave signals form a set of integrated measurement signals in the measured path. The measuring device receives the measurement signals from the M measurements and generates M measurement information. The measuring device transmits all the measurement information to the control device. The control device determines the measurement information based on the M measurement information from the M measurements and the measurement results from the M measurements. The signal is solved by a random microwave signal, and all the solution results are iterated and converged to obtain the correction information of N radio frequency units under a specific state, which serves as a reference for radio frequency unit correction.

[0007] The radio frequency (RF) unit is an antenna element. The test platform includes a signal modulation device, a random control device, an RF control device, and N couplers. The control device is connected to the signal modulation device and the random control device. The control device sends modulation information to the signal modulation device and sends random control signals to the random control device. The signal source device is connected to the RF control device and outputs a corresponding microwave signal source to the RF control device based on the signal source information sent by the control device. The random control device is connected to the RF control device and generates random phase and amplitude information to the RF control device based on the random control signals. The RF control device generates N RF signals with different phases and amplitudes based on the microwave signal source and the random phase and amplitude information. The signal modulation device receives the modulation information and sends N microwave modulation signals based on the modulation information. The N couplers connect the RF control device and the signal modulation device, and the N couplers couple the N RF signals and the N microwave modulation signals into N random microwave signals, so that each random microwave signal has its own different phase and amplitude.

[0008] The radio frequency (RF) unit can be an RF IC, an antenna in package (AiP), or an antenna element. Furthermore, the antenna element can be a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, a loop antenna, an inverted-F antenna (PIFA), a patch antenna, a microstrip antenna, or an array antenna, etc. Moreover, the packaged antenna is composed of an RF IC and an antenna element.

[0009] When the radio frequency unit is an antenna element or a packaged antenna, the relationship between the excitation coefficient (e.g., amplitude, phase, and measurement azimuth) of the antenna element and the radiation of the antenna element is expressed as follows:

[0010]

[0011] The radial distance, pitch angle, and azimuth angle from the radio frequency unit to the measuring device are respectively expressed as follows: , and express, For each of these radio frequency units in Radiation characteristics of superimposed positions, It is one of the N random microwave signals of the nth radio frequency unit in the mth iteration. Let be the amplitude of the excitation coefficient of the nth radio frequency unit out of N radio frequency units. The phase of the excitation coefficient of the nth radio frequency unit. For measuring direction and distance. For the radio frequency unit in the initial state ( The electromagnetic field radiated by .

[0012] When the radio frequency unit is a radio frequency chip (RFIC) and is tested independently, there is no antenna element. Therefore, the measurement information formed by the radio frequency unit on the measurement path is obtained by the power combiner of the radio frequency circuit. In this case, the radiated electromagnetic field is replaced by the current or voltage in the circuit, which does not change the expression of this formula.

[0013] When each radio frequency unit is a packaged antenna, the change occurs when the antenna element has errors or is disabled. In the changes, the following expressions in parentheses are used instead:

[0014]

[0015] in, For each of these radio frequency units in Radiation characteristics of superimposed positions, This parameter encompasses all possible sources of error in the RF path to which the antenna element belongs, or, when the RF unit encapsulates the antenna, the transmission lines between the active RF module and the antenna element. In the calibration procedure, our goal is to find... Because for the same antenna elements, The values ​​are the same directly in front of the antenna element, but in directions other than directly in front, different antenna elements will only produce a phase difference, which is contained within... This does not affect the calibration procedure. In terms of antenna element calibration, this phase difference can be compensated for by the excitation weights, allowing the antenna to obtain its maximum value in the measurement direction. That is, after the measurement azimuth is determined, the calibration procedure aims to obtain... The excitation coefficient of the antenna element can then be adjusted. To achieve the best-matched antenna gain. If When the measured value is lower than the normal operating value, it can be determined that the component in that path has failed. In performing the calibration procedure, we first select a measurement orientation. At this measurement location, by changing To perform M measurements, the parameters become as follows for each measurement. Therefore, the above can be expressed as:

[0016]

[0017] in, This refers to the measurement information of the m-th measurement out of M measurements. for Amplitude measurement information, Let m be the random microwave signal of n radio frequency units, and let m be the random microwave signal represented as: , A vector matrix composed of random microwave signals; when the radio frequency unit is an antenna element. The radiation characteristics of the nth antenna element ( ), It is independent of the excitation coefficient of the antenna element, and is only related to the measurement azimuth (i.e., the correction azimuth), the radiation of the antenna element, and the error within the RF path of the antenna element. Alternatively, when the RF unit is a packaged antenna, it is further related to the active RF module. for The resulting vector matrix. After the control device acquires the measurement information, it can determine the characteristics of the active antenna or perform compensation to obtain the corrected maximum antenna gain. Using the maximum antenna gain as a reference, the parameter values ​​for different output states of each active RF module can be corrected. Using M measurements (M>N), multiple values ​​satisfying... If the measurement information of M measurements has N ranks, the M solutions of the M measurements will converge to a single solution that satisfies all the measurement information. Therefore, it can be seen that the solution required for the M measurements will converge to the amplitude and phase difference information of the far-field radiation pattern of the antenna element.

[0018] Among these methods, the convergence of solutions achieved through multiple iterations can be achieved using the Successive Projection Method (SPM). This method involves obtaining the solution with the shortest error distance by orthogonally projecting each measurement. In other words, the solution obtained from the previous measurement's orthogonal projection is used as the initial excitation coefficient value for the next measurement's solution. The iterative algorithm formula for each solution is shown below, where the m-th measurement information is used to perform the u-th projection solution:

[0019]

[0020] in, for Vector representation ( ), For the number of iterations, The value from the previous iteration. for Amplitude measurement information, for The vector representation of, for The conjugate vector of the vector. This iteration sequence proceeds sequentially with each measurement. After each measurement is used up, the previous measurement information can be reused, because during the iteration process, the error will gradually converge to a minimum value. To satisfy the optimal values ​​for all measurement information, if the M sets of measurement information have a rank of N, then convergence will occur to a single solution; if the rank of the M sets of measurement information is less than N, then convergence will occur to a solution with small error. The measurement information for the m-th measurement in M ​​measurements can be in the form of the measured power or a complex electromagnetic field value including power and phase. Different projections and convergence velocities are generated depending on the information provided.

[0021] The cost function after each iteration of the algorithm is as follows: The cost value is calculated as the basis for convergence judgment, and the cost function is based on... It is expressed as follows:

[0022]

[0023] in, For this cost function, This is a first calculation count, which is the cumulative number of times the cost difference is calculated using the cost function, and the cost difference is calculated based on the cost value. Furthermore, the cost difference and the number of times the cost difference or cost value is calculated are used as convergence conditions.

[0024] The definition of convergence conditions includes:

[0025] 1. Cost difference Less than or equal to the preset cost difference This indicates that convergence has been completed;

[0026] 2. When calculating cost difference Greater than the preset cost difference And the first calculation number Greater than the first preset number of times And the cost value calculated in this instance Less than the preset cost value This is also considered as a completion of convergence.

[0027] 3. When calculating cost difference Greater than the preset cost difference And the first calculation number Greater than the first preset number of times And the cost value calculated in this instance Greater than the preset cost value And the second calculation count U is greater than the second preset count value. This is also considered as a completion of convergence.

[0028] 4. When the first calculation is performed Less than the first preset number of times Or when the second calculation count U is less than the second preset count value They will all be given new And recalculate the cost value and cost difference.

[0029] Where N is a positive integer, and M is greater than or equal to 3 times N, ensuring that the rank of these M measurements is as close as possible to N.

[0030] As described above, this invention can solve for signals using measurement information and random microwave signals without requiring any phase information. It iterates and converges all the solution results to obtain the amplitude and phase difference information of each radio frequency unit. This information is used as preparatory calibration information before signal verification and can detect which radio frequency unit of an antenna element or a single radio frequency unit has a failure or malfunction. In addition, the fact that no phase information is required means that this invention only requires a single signal source device to measure more than one radio frequency unit, reducing the cost of measurement. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the test platform of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the method flow of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the measurement convergence process of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram comparing the measurement and simulation results of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of iterative convergence of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram comparing the measured and simulated amplitude information according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 8 This refers to the phase difference information measured and simulated in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram comparing the measurement and simulation results of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of iterative convergence of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 11 This refers to the amplitude information measured and simulated according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 12 This refers to the phase difference information measured and simulated according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 13This is a schematic diagram comparing the measurement and simulation results of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of iterative convergence of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 15 This refers to the amplitude information measured and simulated according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 16 This refers to the phase difference information measured and simulated according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram comparing the measurement and simulation results of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of iterative convergence of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 19 This refers to the amplitude information measured and simulated according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 20 This is the phase difference information measured and simulated according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 21 This is a schematic diagram comparing the measurement and simulation results of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 22 This is a schematic diagram of iterative convergence of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 23 This refers to the amplitude information measured and simulated according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 24 This refers to the phase difference information measured and simulated according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1-Control device; 2-Signal source device; 3-Test platform; 30-Signal modulation device; 32-Random control device; 34-RF control device; 340-Power divider; 342-Digital phase shifter; 36-Coupler; 4-Measurement device; 5-RF unit; S101~S105-Procedure flow; S201~S208-Procedure flow. Detailed Implementation

[0056] Embodiments of the present invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals represent the same or similar components in the drawings and description. In the drawings, shapes and thicknesses may be exaggerated for simplicity and convenience. It is understood that elements not specifically shown in the drawings or described in the description are forms known to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications based on the content of this invention.

[0057] Please see Figure 1 As shown, this invention is a radio frequency unit calibration and group testing system, including a control device 1, a signal source device 2, a test platform 3, and a measuring device 4. The control device 1 is connected to the signal source device 2, the test platform 3, and the measuring device 4. The control device 1 provides control information to the signal source device 2 and the test platform 3. The test platform 3 is connected to the signal source device 2, and the signal source device 2 provides a microwave signal source to the test platform 3. The test platform 3 is used to house N radio frequency units 5. The test platform 3 performs M measurements. In each measurement, the test platform 3 converts the microwave signal source into N random microwave signals. The test platform 3 transmits the N random microwave signals to the N radio frequency units 5 and the control device 1. Each of the N radio frequency units 5 receives one of the N random microwave signals, and each of the N radio frequency units 5 outputs its received random microwave signal.

[0058] Each test involves the measuring device 4 receiving random microwave signals output from N radio frequency units 5. These N random microwave signals are superimposed in the measured environment to form a measurement signal. The measuring device 4 obtains M measurement signals and generates M measurement information based on them. The measuring device 4 transmits the M measurement information to the control device 1. The control device 1 performs signal solving based on the M measurement information from the M measurements and the N random microwave signals from the M measurements. It also performs iterative and convergence calculations on all the solution results to obtain the amplitude and phase difference information of the N radio frequency units 5 under a specific excitation state, which serves as a reference for correction.

[0059] In this invention, the N radio frequency units 5 can be radio frequency chips (RFICs), antenna-in-package (AiP) devices, or antenna elements. Furthermore, the antenna elements can be dipole antennas, monopole antennas, loop antennas, inverted-F type antennas (PIFAs), patch antennas, microstrip antennas, array antennas, etc. Moreover, the antenna-in-package is composed of a radio frequency chip (RFIC) and antenna elements.

[0060] When the N RF units 5 are N antenna-in-package (AiP) or N antenna elements, N random microwave signals are radiated into the measurement environment by the N antennas or N antenna elements, and the electromagnetic waves formed in the measurement environment are naturally superimposed to form a measurement signal. When the N RF units 5 are RF ICs, and group testing is performed on the RF ICs, the antennas are not present. The RF ICs use RF circuits to superimpose a single measurement signal through a power combiner.

[0061] It is particularly important to note that this invention requires only a single signal source device to measure more than one radio frequency unit 5. Moreover, the excitation platform 3 is not limited to placing the same radio frequency unit 5. For example, two different radio frequency chips and five patch antennas can be placed on the excitation platform 3 respectively. The matching antennas connected to the radio frequency chips can also be excited to radiate radio frequency signals into the air. During the measurement, the two different radio frequency chips and five patch antennas are regarded as the aforementioned N radio frequency elements (or even as virtual array antennas) for solution. By obtaining appropriate measurement information for each, the amplitude information and phase difference information of the two radio frequency chips and five patch antennas can still be obtained.

[0062] Furthermore, this invention is derived from the concept of phase arrays and can be applied to the group testing and calibration of multiple antenna elements or multiple antenna array packages (AIPs), or to the group testing of multiple RF chips, or to the group testing and calibration of mixed antenna elements, antenna array package modules, and RF chips. For example, when testing and calibrating multiple antenna elements or antenna array package modules, the measurement information is obtained by RF instruments. When testing and calibrating multiple RF chips, the array layout and connection are performed through the RF circuits of the RF chips, and after being combined using a power combiner, the measurement information is obtained by RF instruments to verify the output characteristics and reliability of the antenna elements, antenna package modules, or RF transceiver modules.

[0063] In summary, this invention provides parameters for RF unit correction that only require power or amplitude information in the absence of phase information, without the need for expensive instruments to simultaneously obtain the amplitude and phase difference of the radiation field.

[0064] Please see Figure 2As shown, the test platform 3 includes a signal modulation device 30, a random control device 32, an RF control device 34, and N couplers 36. Control device 1 is connected to the signal modulation device 30 and the random control device 32. Control device 1 sends modulation information to the signal modulation device 30 and sends random control signals to the random control device 32. Signal source device 2 is connected to the RF control device 34, and outputs a corresponding microwave signal source to the RF control device 34 based on the signal source information sent by control device 1. Random control device 32 is connected to the RF control device 34, and generates random phase and amplitude information to the RF control device 34 based on the random control signals. The radio frequency control device 34 generates N radio frequency signals with different phases and amplitudes based on the microwave signal source, random phase and amplitude information. The signal modulation device 30 sends out microwave modulation signals based on the modulation information. N couplers 36 are connected to the radio frequency control device 34 and the signal modulation device 30. The N couplers 36 integrate the N radio frequency signals and microwave modulation signals into a random microwave signal, so that each random microwave signal has its own different phase and amplitude.

[0065] Furthermore, the radio frequency control device 34 can be a radio frequency IC (RFIC), and it includes a power divider 340 and N digital phase shifters 342. The power divider 340 distributes the microwave signal source to each digital phase shifter 342 with the same power. The N digital phase shifters 342 are connected to a random control device 32, and can generate N random phase information according to the N random control signals of the random control device 32, thereby emitting N radio frequency signals with different phases from each digital phase shifter 342. The signal modulation device 30 emits N microwave modulation signals according to the modulation information. Each coupler couples one of the N radio frequency signals and one of the N microwave modulation signals into a random microwave signal, so that each random microwave signal has its own different phase and amplitude.

[0066] In this invention, taking the radio frequency (RF) element as an active array antenna as an example, the relationship between the excitation coefficients (e.g., amplitude, phase, and antenna element position) of the RF element and the radiation is expressed as follows:

[0067] (1)

[0068] In formula (1), the radial distance, pitch angle, and azimuth angle from the RF unit to the measuring device are respectively expressed as... , and express, For each of these radio frequency units in Radiation characteristics of superimposed positions, It is one of the random microwave signals from the Nth radio frequency unit in the mth iteration. Let be the amplitude of each excitation coefficient in the nth radio frequency unit out of N radio frequency units. The phase of each excitation coefficient in the nth radio frequency unit can be adjusted by active components such as phase shifters, attenuators, and power amplifiers. For measuring direction and distance. For the radio frequency unit in the initial state ( The electromagnetic field radiated by .

[0069] In this invention, when the radio frequency unit is tested as a radio frequency chip (RFIC), the antenna element is not present. The RF chip is obtained by the output of the active radio frequency module circuit via a power combiner. At this time, the radiated electromagnetic field is replaced by the current or voltage in the circuit, so the expression of this formula will not change.

[0070] When the RF unit has errors or is disabled, its changes occur in In the changes, the expression in parentheses of the following formula (2) is replaced:

[0071] (2)

[0072] When the radio frequency unit is an antenna element, then formula (2) This parameter represents the error in the RF path to which the antenna element belongs. When the RF unit is an antenna element and the antenna element is a packaged antenna, it further includes all possible sources such as the active RF module and transmission lines, all of which are summarized in this parameter. In the calibration procedure, our goal is to find the parameter in parentheses of the above formula (2). Because for array antennas with the same antenna element type, The values ​​are the same directly in front of the antenna. However, in directions other than directly in front, different antenna elements will only produce a phase difference, which is included in this parameter and does not affect the calibration procedure. For antenna element calibration, this phase difference can be compensated for by different excitation coefficients with appropriate weights, allowing the antenna to obtain its maximum value in the measurement direction. In other words, after the measurement azimuth is determined, the goal of this calibration procedure is to obtain the parameters... The excitation coefficient of the radio frequency unit can be adjusted. To achieve the best-matched antenna gain. If parameters If the value is too small and below the normal operating value, it can be determined that the corresponding radio frequency path component has failed.

[0073] In terms of execution procedures, we first select a measurement orientation. At this measurement location, by changing When performing M measurements, its parameters become Therefore, the above can be expressed as:

[0074] (3)

[0075] in, This refers to the measurement information of the m-th measurement out of M measurements. This refers to the amplitude information from the m-th measurement out of M measurements. The random microwave signal of the nth radio frequency unit in the mth iteration (also known as...) ), Let them form a vector matrix. The radiation characteristics of the nth radio frequency unit (antenna element) out of N radio frequency units (antenna elements). Its value is independent of the excitation coefficient of the antenna element, and is only related to the measurement azimuth, the radiation of the radio frequency unit, and the error within the radio frequency path. for The resulting vector matrix. Once this measurement information is obtained, it can be used to determine the antenna characteristics within the RF unit, perform compensation to obtain the highest corrected antenna gain, or determine the effectiveness and error of the RF unit on the RF path to which the antenna belongs.

[0076] When the antenna's highest gain is used as a reference, the parameter values ​​of different output states of the active RF module within each RF unit can be corrected. Using the measurement information from the Mth measurement, multiple sets of measurement information satisfying the above formula (3) can be obtained. When these M sets of measurement signals have N ranks, these multiple solutions will converge into a single set to satisfy all measurement information.

[0077] Furthermore, formula (1) can be simplified to the following formula, where the factor of the measured distance r is removed, resulting in a waveform function. In terms of the same polarized electric field components, its... The waveform in the direction is:

[0078] (4)

[0079] in, It is the polarization vector in the common polarization direction. The amplitude of the random microwave signal. The phase of the random microwave signal, The phase error is caused by channel mismatch in RF unit 5. The phase generated by the radio frequency control device 34 based on the microwave signal source and random phase and amplitude information, and the random phase generated by the digital phase shifter 39 within the radio frequency control device 34 based on the random phase and amplitude information.

[0080] Furthermore, to achieve convergence through multiple iterative solutions, the Successive Projection Method (SPM) can be used. This method involves orthogonally projecting each measurement into the solution to obtain the shortest error distance. In other words, the solution obtained from the orthogonal projection of the previous measurement is used as the initial excitation coefficient value for the next measurement. The iterative algorithm formula for each solution is shown below, using the m-th measurement information for the u-th projection solution:

[0081] (5)

[0082] in, for Vector representation ( ), For the number of iterations, The value from the previous iteration. for Amplitude in the measurement information for The vector representation of, for The conjugate vector of the vector. This iteration sequence proceeds sequentially with each measurement. After each measurement is used up, the previous measurement information can be reused, because during the iteration process, the error will gradually converge to a minimum value. To satisfy the optimal value for all measurement information, in the formula above, The measurement information for the m-th measurement can be in the form of power generated by the superposition of antenna radiation, or the N electromagnetic field value including power and phase. Different projections and convergence speeds are generated depending on the information provided. That is, the present invention only needs power information to obtain the parameters for antenna correction, without the need to use expensive instruments to simultaneously obtain the amplitude and phase of the radiation field.

[0083] In this invention, after each iteration of the algorithm, the following cost function is used. Calculate the cost value, and the cost function is based on... The formula is as follows:

[0084] (6)

[0085] in, For this cost function, This is the first calculation count, which is the cumulative number of times the cost difference is calculated using the cost function, and the cost difference is calculated based on the cost value. Furthermore, the cost difference and the number of times the cost difference or cost value is calculated are used as convergence conditions.

[0086] Please see Figure 3 As shown, the radio frequency unit calibration and group testing method of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0087] (S101) Set the test parameters of the control device 1. The test parameters include setting the microwave signal source size to be output by the test source device from the control device 1, providing random phase information to the random control device 32, and setting the modulation specifications of the signal modulation device. The modulation specifications are, for example, AM, FM, PM, pulse modulation, and digital modulation signals such as BPSK, QPSK, and QAM, and even frequency hopping and direct sequence spread-spectrum signals. When testing communications such as GSM, CDMA, and Bluetooth, a modulation signal generator can be used to generate the required modulation signal, etc.

[0088] (S102) Test platform 3 performs M tests. The test platform performs the following steps in each test:

[0089] (S1021) Each time the test is performed, the test platform converts the microwave signal source into the N random microwave signals;

[0090] (S1022) The N random microwave signals are transmitted to the N radio frequency units 5 and the control device 1;

[0091] (S1023) One of the N radio frequency units 5 receives one of the N random microwave signals respectively;

[0092] (S1024) N radio frequency units 5 transmit the random microwave signals they have received;

[0093] (S103) The measuring device 4 receives random microwave signals emitted by N radio frequency units 5 from the test platform 3 during M tests, and generates M measurement information from the M tests.

[0094] (S104) The measuring device 4 transmits the M measurement information from the M measurements to the control device 1;

[0095] (S105) The control device performs signal solution based on the M measurement information from M measurements and the N random microwave signals from M measurements, and performs iterative and convergence calculations on all the solution results to obtain the amplitude information and phase difference information of the N radio frequency units.

[0096] In this invention, please refer to Figure 4 As shown, the steps for iterating and converging the solution results include:

[0097] (S201) Perform iteration and convergence based on the solution results. The cost value is calculated using the cost function during iteration and convergence. ;

[0098] (S202) Calculate the cost of two consecutive solution results. Cost difference ;

[0099] (S203) Determine whether the cost difference is less than or equal to the preset cost difference. If yes, proceed to step (S204); otherwise, proceed to step (S205). The preset cost difference is a part of the test parameters set by the control device 1.

[0100] (S204) Convergence complete;

[0101] (S205) Determine the first calculation count Is it less than the first preset number of times? If yes, proceed to step (S206); otherwise, proceed to step (S207), wherein the first calculation count... The number of times the cumulative cost difference is calculated is a part of the test parameters set by the control device 1, and the first preset number of times is a positive integer;

[0102] (S206) Reassign new initial guess values Then proceed to step (S201);

[0103] (S207) Cost Value If the cost is less than a preset cost value, proceed to step (S204); otherwise, proceed to step (S208). The preset cost value is a part of the test parameters set by the control device 1, and the preset cost value... It is a positive number;

[0104] (S208) Determine whether the second calculation count U is greater than the second preset count value. If so, proceed to step (S204); otherwise, proceed to step (S206), where the second calculation count U is the cumulative number of times a new initial guess value is given. The number of times, the second preset number value U is a part of the test parameters set by the control device, and the second preset number value is a positive integer.

[0105] Based on the above, the convergence condition definition includes:

[0106] 1. Cost difference Less than or equal to the preset cost difference This indicates that convergence has been completed;

[0107] 2. When calculating cost difference Greater than the preset cost difference And the first calculation number Greater than the first preset number of times And the cost value calculated in this instance Less than the preset cost value This is also considered as a completion of convergence.

[0108] 3. When calculating cost difference Greater than the preset cost difference And the first calculation number Greater than the first preset number of times And the cost value calculated in this instance Greater than the preset cost value And the second calculation count U is greater than the second preset count value. This is also considered as a completion of convergence.

[0109] 4. When the first calculation is performed Less than the first preset number of times Or when the second calculation count U is less than the second preset count value They will all be given new And recalculate the cost value and cost difference.

[0110] In this invention, M is greater than N, preferably M is greater than or equal to 3 times N, which can ensure that the rank of these M measurement information is as large as possible and obtain better solution results.

[0111] To further understand the solution results, iterative convergence, amplitude information, and phase difference information of this invention, five embodiments are described below:

[0112] In the first embodiment, there are 32 radio frequency units 5, 96 measurements are performed, and a 3-bit digital phase shifter is used. Please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figures 5-8 , Figure 5 These are the results of each simulation and measurement, expressed in terms of amplitude. Figure 6 The calculation of cost and iteration count shows that convergence occurs around the 20th iteration. Figure 7 These are the analog and measured amplitude information of each RF unit 5. Figure 8 It contains the simulated and measured phase difference information of each RF unit 5, from Figure 7 and Figure 8 It can be observed that the measured amplitude information and the simulated amplitude information, as well as the measured phase difference information and the simulated test phase difference information, tend to be consistent, indicating that the amplitude information and phase difference information in this test are correct results.

[0113] In the second embodiment, there are 32 radio frequency units 5, 96 measurements are performed, and a 6-bit digital phase shifter is used. Please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figures 9-12, Figure 9 These are the results of each simulation and measurement, expressed in terms of amplitude. Figure 10 The calculation of cost and iteration count shows that convergence occurs around the 30th iteration. Figure 11 These are the analog and measured amplitude information of each RF unit 5. Figure 12 It contains the simulated and measured phase difference information of each RF unit 5, from Figure 11 and Figure 12 It can be observed that the measured amplitude information and the simulated amplitude information, as well as the measured phase difference information and the simulated phase difference information, tend to be consistent, indicating that the amplitude information and phase difference information in this study are correct results.

[0114] In the third embodiment, the radio frequency unit 5 has 32 units, the number of measurements is 96, and a 6-bit digital phase shifter is used. The phase error angle of the measuring device 4 is 3 degrees, and there is no other noise. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 13-16 , Figure 13 These are the results of each simulation and measurement, expressed in terms of amplitude. Figure 13 The calculation of cost and iteration count shows that convergence occurs around the 35th iteration. Figure 14 These are the analog and measured amplitude information of each RF unit 5. Figure 15 It contains the simulated and measured phase difference information of each RF unit 5, from Figure 15 and Figure 16 It can be observed that most of the measured amplitude information and the simulated amplitude information, as well as the measured phase difference information and the simulated phase difference information, tend to be consistent. However, the amplitude of the second RF unit 5 is close to zero, and the phase difference information is inconsistent with the simulated phase difference information, indicating that the second RF unit 5 is damaged.

[0115] In the fourth embodiment, there are 100 radio frequency units 5, the number of measurements is 300, and a 3-bit digital phase shifter is used. The phase error angle of the measuring device 4 is 3 degrees, and there is no other noise. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 17-20 , Figure 17 These are the results of each simulation and measurement, expressed in terms of amplitude. Figure 18 The calculation of cost and iteration count shows that convergence occurs around the 30th iteration. Figure 19 These are the analog and measured amplitude information of each RF unit 5. Figure 20 It contains the simulated and measured phase difference information of each RF unit 5, from Figure 19 and Figure 20It can be observed that most of the measured amplitude information and the simulated amplitude information, as well as the measured phase difference information and the simulated phase difference information, tend to be consistent. Among them, the amplitude of the seventieth RF unit 5 is close to zero, and the phase difference information is consistent with the simulated phase difference information, indicating that the seventieth RF unit 5 is damaged.

[0116] In the fifth embodiment, there are four radio frequency units 5, the number of measurements is 12, and a 6-bit digital phase shifter is used. The phase error angle of the measuring device 4 is 3 degrees, and there is no other noise. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 21-24 , Figure 21 These are the results of each simulation and measurement, expressed in terms of amplitude. Figure 22 The calculation of cost and iteration count shows that convergence occurs around the 30th iteration. Figure 23 These are the analog and measured amplitude information of each RF unit 5. Figure 24 It contains the simulated and measured phase difference information of each RF unit 5, from Figure 23 and Figure 24 It can be observed that the measured amplitude information and the simulated amplitude information, as well as the measured phase difference information and the simulated phase difference information, tend to be consistent, indicating that the amplitude information and phase difference information in this study are correct results.

[0117] As described above, this invention can solve for signals using measurement information and random microwave signals without requiring any phase information. It iterates and converges all the solution results to obtain the amplitude and phase difference information of each RF unit 5, which serves as pre-calibration information for signal verification. This invention does not limit the number of RF units 5 that can be measured. Furthermore, it can compare the measured amplitude or phase difference information with the original test amplitude or phase difference information to filter out potentially damaged RF units 5. In addition, the absence of phase information means that this invention only requires a single signal source device 2 to measure multiple antenna elements, antenna array elements, or antenna-in-package (AiP) devices, reducing measurement costs.

[0118] The above description is merely illustrative of preferred embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of implementation. Any simple substitutions and equivalent changes made in accordance with the claims and description of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A calibration and group testing system for an RF unit, characterized in that, include: A control device; A signal source device is connected to the control device, and the signal source device outputs a microwave signal source according to a signal source information sent by the control device; A test platform, connected to the control device and the signal source device, is provided to house N radio frequency (RF) units. The test platform excites the N RF units M times. During each excitation, the test platform converts the microwave signal source into N random microwave signals according to one of a plurality of excitation coefficients. One of the N RF units outputs one of the N random microwave signals, which are then superimposed to form a set of measurement signals. A measuring device is connected to a control device. The measuring device receives M measurement signals and generates M measurement information respectively. The measuring device transmits the M measurement information to the control device. The control device performs signal solving based on the M measurement information from the M measurements and the N random microwave signals from the M measurements, and iterates and converges all the solution results to obtain amplitude information and phase difference information of the N radio frequency units, where N and M are positive integers, n is 1~N, and m is 1~M. When the radio frequency unit is an antenna element or a packaged antenna, each measurement information generated by the measurement device is expressed by the following formula: ； in, This refers to the measurement information of the m-th measurement out of M measurements. This refers to the amplitude information from the m-th measurement out of M measurements. Let be the random microwave signal of the nth radio frequency unit in the mth iteration. for The vector matrix formed, Let be the radiation characteristic of the nth radio frequency unit among the N radio frequency units. It is independent of the complex excitation coefficients of the N radio frequency units, and is only related to the measurement azimuth, radiation, and errors within the radio frequency path. for The vector matrix formed; The relationship between the complex excitation coefficients of each radio frequency unit and the radiation of each radio frequency unit in each measurement information measured by the measuring device is expressed as follows: ； The radial distance, pitch angle, and azimuth angle from the radio frequency unit to the measuring device are respectively expressed as follows: , and express, For each of these radio frequency units in Radiation characteristics of superimposed positions, It is one of the N random microwave signals of the nth radio frequency unit in the mth iteration. Let be the amplitude of the excitation coefficient of one of the N random microwave signals of the nth radio frequency unit. The phase of the excitation coefficient of one of the N random microwave signals of the nth radio frequency unit. To measure direction and distance, For the radio frequency unit in its initial state The radiated electromagnetic field under; When the radio frequency unit has an error or is disabled, the change in the radio frequency unit appears in the change in the expression in the following brackets: ； in, The error in the radio frequency path to which this radio frequency unit belongs is determined by changing... To perform M measurements, the parameters become as follows for each measurement. ; The control device uses an iterative algorithm and predefined convergence conditions to obtain the solution. This iterative algorithm employs a continuous projection method, where the shortest error distance is obtained for each measurement by perpendicular orthogonal projection. That is, the solution obtained from the perpendicular projection of the previous measurement is used as the initial excitation coefficient value for the next measurement, and the projection solution is performed for the next iteration, as shown below. Furthermore, the following formulas use the m-th measurement information to perform the... Solving for the second projection: ； in, for The vector representation of , i.e. , Let be the number of iterations for the projection solution. for The m-th measurement information The iterative value obtained by the projection solution. for The vector representation of, for The conjugate vectors of the vectors are used in this iteration, which proceeds sequentially with the measurement information from different times.

2. The calibration and group measurement system for radio frequency units as recited in claim 1, wherein, The testing platform includes: A signal modulation device is connected to the control device. The signal modulation device receives a modulation information sent by the control device and sends N microwave modulation signals according to the modulation information. A random control device is connected to the control device, and the random control device receives a random control signal from the control device to generate random phase and amplitude information; A radio frequency (RF) control device is connected to the signal source device and the random control device. The RF control device receives a microwave signal emitted by the signal source device and receives random phase and amplitude information. Based on the microwave signal and the random phase and amplitude information, the RF control device generates N RF signals with different phases and amplitudes. N couplers connect the radio frequency control device and the signal modulation device. The N couplers integrate the N radio frequency signals and the N microwave modulation signals with different phases and amplitudes into N random microwave signals, so that each random microwave signal has its own different phase and amplitude.

3. The calibration and group measurement system for radio frequency units of claim 1, wherein, After each iteration of the algorithm, the control device calculates a cost value using a cost function, the formula of which is as follows: ； in, For this cost function, The first calculation count is the cumulative number of times the cost difference is calculated using the cost function, and a cost difference is calculated between each cost value and the previous cost value, and the cost value, the cost difference, and the number of times the cost difference or the cost value is calculated are used as the convergence condition.

4. The calibration and group measurement system for radio frequency units as recited in claim 3, wherein, The convergence condition is defined as follows: if the cost difference is less than or equal to the preset cost difference, then convergence is complete.

5. The calibration and group measurement system for radio frequency units as recited in claim 4, wherein, The convergence condition is further defined as follows: when the cost difference is greater than the preset cost difference, the first number of calculations is greater than a first preset number of calculations, and the cost value calculated in this calculation is less than a preset cost value, convergence is also considered to be complete.

6. The calibration and group measurement system for radio frequency units of claim 5, wherein, The convergence condition is further defined as follows: when the cost difference is greater than the preset cost difference, the first number of calculations is greater than the first preset number of calculations, the cost value calculated in this instance is greater than the preset cost value, and the second number of calculations is greater than the second preset number of calculations, convergence is also considered to be complete. The second number of calculations is the cumulative number of times a new initial guess value is given.

7. The calibration and group measurement system for radio frequency units of claim 6, wherein, The convergence condition is further defined as follows: when the first number of calculations is less than the first preset number of calculations, or when the second number of calculations is less than the second preset number of calculations, a new initial guess value is given, and the cost value and cost difference are recalculated, and it is then determined whether the convergence condition of any one of claims 3 to 5 is met.

8. The calibration and group measurement system for radio frequency units of claim 1, wherein, M is greater than or equal to N.

9. A method for calibrating and measuring group delay of a radio frequency unit, applied in the system of claim 1, characterized in that, The method includes: Set a test parameter for the control device so that the control device emits the signal source information; The signal source device outputs the microwave signal source based on the signal source information; The test platform performs M stimulus cycles, and the following steps are performed for each stimulus cycle: Convert the microwave signal source into the N random microwave signals; The N random microwave signals are transmitted to the N radio frequency units and the control device; Each of the N radio frequency units receives one of the N random microwave signals. The N radio frequency units excite and radiate the random microwave signals they receive, and the N random microwave signals are superimposed to form a measurement signal; The measuring device receives the measuring signal generated by M excitations and generates M measuring information based on the M measuring signals. The measuring device transmits the M measurement information from the M measurements to the control device; The control device uses the M measurement information from the M measurements and the M measurements... The signal is solved by analyzing a random microwave signal, and the amplitude and phase difference information of the N radio frequency units are obtained by iterating and converging all the solution results.

10. The calibration and group testing method for the radio frequency unit as described in claim 9, characterized in that, When the radio frequency unit is an antenna element or a packaged antenna, each measurement information generated by the measuring device is expressed by the following formula: ； in, This refers to the measurement information of the m-th measurement out of M measurements. This refers to the amplitude information from the m-th measurement out of M measurements. Let m be the random microwave signal of the n radio frequency units. for The vector matrix formed, Let be the radiation characteristics of the nth radio frequency unit. It is independent of the complex excitation coefficients of the N radio frequency units, and is only related to the measurement orientation, radiation, and errors within the radio frequency path of the radio frequency unit. for The vector matrix formed by these vectors.

11. The calibration and group testing method for the radio frequency unit as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The relationship between the complex excitation coefficients of each radio frequency unit and the radiation of each radio frequency unit in each measurement information generated by the measuring device is expressed as follows: ； The radial distance, pitch angle, and azimuth angle from the radio frequency unit to the measuring device are respectively expressed as follows: , and express, For each of these radio frequency units in Radiation characteristics of superimposed positions, It is one of the Nth random microwave signals from the N radio frequency units in the mth iteration. Let be the amplitude of the excitation coefficient of one of the N random microwave signals of the nth radio frequency unit. The phase of the excitation coefficient of one of the N random microwave signals of the nth radio frequency unit. To measure direction and distance, For the radio frequency unit in its initial state The radiated electromagnetic field, when the radio frequency unit has errors or is disabled, the change in the radio frequency unit appears in the following situations: In the changes, the following expressions in parentheses are used instead: ； in, The error in the radio frequency path to which this radio frequency unit belongs is determined by changing... To perform M measurements, the parameters become as follows for each measurement. .

12. The calibration and group testing method for the radio frequency unit as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The control device uses an iterative algorithm and predefined convergence conditions to obtain the solution. The iterative algorithm employs a continuous projection method, where the shortest error distance is obtained by orthogonally projecting the measurement information for each iteration. That is, the solution obtained from the orthogonal projection of the previous measurement is used as the initial excitation coefficient value for the next measurement. The iterative calculation formula for each solution is shown below, and the following formula uses the m-th measurement information to perform the u-th projection solution: ； in, for The vector representation of , i.e. , Let be the number of iterations for the projection solution. The m-th measurement information of the radiation characteristics of the nth radio frequency unit out of the N radio frequency units. The iterative value obtained by the projection solution. for The vector representation of, for The conjugate vectors of the vectors are used in this iteration, which proceeds sequentially with the measurement information from different times.

13. The calibration and group testing method for the radio frequency unit as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The control device performs iterative and convergent steps based on the solution results, including: A. Using the solution result, a cost value is calculated using a cost function; B. Calculate the cost difference between two consecutive solution results for that cost value; C. Determine whether the cost difference is less than or equal to a preset cost difference, wherein the preset cost difference is a part of the test parameter set by the control device; D. When the cost difference is less than or equal to the preset cost difference, it indicates that convergence has been completed.

14. The calibration and group testing method for the radio frequency unit as described in claim 13, characterized in that, If the cost difference is greater than the preset cost difference, then the following steps are performed: E. Determine whether a first calculation count is less than a first preset count value, wherein the first calculation count is the cumulative number of times the cost difference is calculated, the first preset count value is a part of the test parameters set by the control device, and the first preset count value is a positive integer; F. If the first number of calculations is less than the first preset number of calculations, a new initial guess value is given, and then the process is carried out in accordance with step A and subsequent steps. G. When the first number of calculations is greater than the first preset number of calculations, it is then determined whether the cost value calculated in the current calculation is less than a preset cost value. The preset cost value is a part of the test parameters set by the control device, and the preset cost value is a positive number. H. When the first number of calculations is greater than the first preset number of calculations, and the cost value calculated in this calculation is less than a preset cost value, then convergence is considered complete. I. When the first number of calculations is greater than the first preset number of calculations, and when the cost value is greater than the preset cost value, it is then determined whether the second number of calculations is greater than the second preset number of calculations, wherein the second number of calculations is the cumulative number of times a new initial guess value is given, the second preset number of calculations is a part of the test parameters set by the control device, and the second preset number of calculations is a positive integer; J. When the second number of calculations exceeds the second preset number of calculations, convergence is considered complete. K. If the second number of calculations is less than the second preset number of calculations, a new initial guess value is given, and then the process is carried out in accordance with step A and subsequent steps.

15. The calibration and group testing method for the radio frequency unit as described in claim 14, characterized in that, After each iteration of the algorithm, the control device calculates a cost value using a cost function, the formula of which is as follows: ； in, For this cost function, The first calculation count is the cumulative number of times the cost difference is calculated using the cost function, and a cost difference is calculated between each cost value and the previous cost value, and the cost value, the cost difference, and the number of times the cost difference or the cost value is calculated are used as convergence conditions.

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