A phased array antenna module testing system and method

Abstract

How to quickly and comprehensively complete module performance test and evaluate whether the module performance meets the requirements is a problem to be solved in modern phased array antenna test task. Therefore, the application provides a phased array antenna module test system and test method, which is used for quickly and comprehensively completing phased array antenna module performance test and automatically evaluating whether the module performance meets the requirements. The application provides technical support for future modularized, low-cost phased array antenna intelligent test.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of antenna and microwave technology, specifically relating to a phased array antenna module testing system and testing method. Background Technology

[0002] Phased array antennas are widely used in modern radar and communication systems. With the increasing size and complexity of phased array antennas, their manufacturing complexity, development cycle, and production cost all increase significantly. Modular technology divides phased array antennas into single or a small number of modules, reducing complexity, shortening the development cycle, and lowering costs, while also facilitating scalability. This represents the development trend of modern phased array antennas. The performance of each module determines the performance of the entire phased array antenna. Before assembling a complete phased array antenna, the modules need to undergo multi-directional performance testing to identify and resolve potential problems.

[0003] How to quickly and comprehensively complete module performance testing and evaluate whether the module performance meets the requirements is an urgent problem to be solved in modern phased array antenna testing tasks. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address this, this invention proposes a phased array antenna module testing system and method for rapidly and comprehensively completing module performance testing and automatically evaluating whether the module performance meets requirements. This provides technical support for future intelligent testing of modular, low-cost phased array antennas.

[0005] The phased array antenna module under test includes radiating elements, active channels, amplitude and phase control modules, as well as a main signal port, an internal monitoring port, and a power supply and control interface. The test system includes a microwave anechoic chamber, a probe, a probe controller, a computer, power divider A, power divider B, and a test unit, along with cables connecting these devices. During testing, the phased array antenna module under test, the probe, and the probe controller are placed in the microwave anechoic chamber. The test unit includes a signal interface, a monitoring A interface, a monitoring B interface, a probe control interface, a low-frequency and optical interface, and a computer interface. The probe control interface connects to the probe controller, the computer interface connects to the computer, the low-frequency and optical interface connects to the power supply and control interface, the signal interface connects to the main signal port via power divider A, the monitoring A interface connects to the internal monitoring interface via power divider B, forming an internal monitoring link, and the monitoring B interface connects to the probe, forming an external monitoring link. The module test control software in the control computer enables the power-on, power-off, testing, and analysis of the phased array antenna module under test.

[0006] Furthermore, by adopting automatic switching between internal and external monitoring, the RF link automatically switches to the internal monitoring link during internal monitoring testing and automatically switches to the external monitoring link during external monitoring testing. This eliminates the need for manual disassembly and reconnection of the test system, enabling automatic testing of all module test items.

[0007] Furthermore, through link integration, the internal monitoring interface can be connected to an external power divider to meet the testing requirements of multiple modules or multiple internal monitoring ports; the RF signal main port can be connected to an external power divider to meet the testing requirements of multi-beam or multi-polarization.

[0008] Furthermore, the module test control software can save the interface settings as configuration files to the test project configuration pool. During module testing, it can flexibly test by partially calling some configuration files in the configuration pool, or it can select all configuration files in the configuration pool to achieve cluster testing.

[0009] Furthermore, a multi-mode traversal test method is used to test the phased array antenna module, including the following three types of test items:

[0010] The first type is the channel zero-state traversal test; this test uses internal / external monitoring paths to turn on each active channel one by one, with amplitude and phase control set to the all-zero state.

[0011] The second category is amplitude and phase control and channel combination traversal test. This test uses internal / external monitoring paths to turn on each active channel one by one, and traverses the control state of the amplitude and phase control corresponding to the active channel. For phased array antennas with multiple amplitude and phase controls, there are multiple test items. For each test item, only one amplitude and phase control control state is traversed, and the other amplitude and phase controls are set to all zero states.

[0012] The third type is the full-area open test; this test uses internal / external monitoring paths to open all active channels within a specified area, with amplitude and phase control set to the zero state.

[0013] The three types of test items cover all components of the module, traversing every active channel and control state, to achieve a comprehensive evaluation of the module's performance.

[0014] Furthermore, the test control software can select test data in batches, enabling rapid batch analysis of the test data and generating test reports.

[0015] After the phased array antenna module under test is connected to the test system as required, the subsequent operations are completed in the module test control software. The specific test steps are as follows:

[0016] Step 1: Power on the system;

[0017] Step 2: If the configuration pool contains the required test items, proceed to Step 4; if the configuration pool does not contain the required test items, proceed to Step 3.

[0018] Step 3: For test projects not in the configuration pool, set the corresponding parameters, then save the configuration file to the configuration pool, and return to Step 2;

[0019] Step 4: Load the configuration files for all required test items from the configuration pool;

[0020] Step 5: Perform performance testing on the phased array antenna module; the test files will be automatically saved to the test database.

[0021] Step 6: Power off and stop the test;

[0022] Step 7: Batch read test data of test items from the test database and automatically generate test reports;

[0023] Step 8: Based on the test report, determine whether the performance of the tested module meets the requirements.

[0024] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0025] 1. Adopt internal and external monitoring automatic switching technology to realize automatic switching of internal and external monitoring links.

[0026] 2. It adopts chain integration technology, which is compatible with multi-module, multi-beam, and multi-polarization testing.

[0027] 3. By adopting configuration pool technology, test items can be flexibly configured, and cluster testing can be achieved.

[0028] 4. Employ multimodal testing technology to achieve comprehensive evaluation of module performance.

[0029] 5. Employ batch data processing technology to achieve rapid data analysis. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the test system.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the module test control software.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a flowchart for module testing. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] The phased array antenna module targeted by this invention can be single-polarized or multi-polarized, single-beam or multi-beam, and the number of modules that can be tested by this invention can be single or multiple.

[0035] like Figure 1As shown, this embodiment tests two phased array antenna modules. The phased array antenna under test is dual-polarized (H-polarization and V-polarization). The phased array antenna module under test includes a radiating element, an active channel, and an amplitude and phase control module (including a phase shifter, attenuator, and delayer), as well as H-signal interface, V-signal interface, internal monitoring interface, power supply and control interface. The test system includes a microwave anechoic chamber, probe, probe controller, computer, power divider A, power divider B, and test unit, as well as cables connecting the above equipment. During testing, the module under test (DUT), probe, and probe controller are placed in a microwave anechoic chamber. The test unit includes interfaces for signaling, monitoring (A), monitoring (B), probe control, low-frequency and optical signals, and a computer. The probe control interface connects to the probe controller, the computer interface connects to the computer, and the low-frequency and optical signals connect to the module's power supply and control interfaces. The signal interface connects to the DUT's H and V signal interfaces via power divider A. Monitoring (A) connects to the internal monitoring interface via power divider B, forming an internal monitoring link. Monitoring (B) connects to the probe, forming an external monitoring link. The module test control software on the control computer performs tasks such as powering on / off, testing, and analysis of the DUT. The module test control software interface is shown below. Figure 2 As shown.

[0036] This embodiment employs an automatic switching technology between internal and external monitoring. During internal monitoring testing, the RF link automatically switches to the internal monitoring link, and during external monitoring testing, the RF link automatically switches to the external monitoring link. This eliminates the need for manual disassembly and reconnection of the test system, enabling automatic testing of all module test items.

[0037] This embodiment uses link integration technology, with an external power divider connected to the internal monitoring interface, which can meet the testing requirements of multiple modules or multiple internal monitoring ports; the external power divider connected to the RF main port can meet the testing requirements of multi-beam or multi-polarization.

[0038] This embodiment uses configuration pool technology. The module test control software can save the interface settings as configuration files to the test project configuration pool. During module testing, it can flexibly test by partially calling some configuration files in the configuration pool, or it can select all configuration files in the configuration pool to achieve cluster testing.

[0039] This embodiment employs multimodal traversal testing technology, which includes the following three types of test items:

[0040] The first type is the channel zero-state traversal test. This test uses internal / external monitoring paths to turn on each active channel one by one, with the amplitude and phase control set to the all-zero state (each amplitude and phase control generally contains multiple control bits, each control bit has two states: "0" and "1", and the all-zero state means that each control bit is set to the "0" state).

[0041] The second category is amplitude and phase control and channel combination traversal test. This test uses internal / external monitoring links to turn on each active channel one by one, and traverses the control states of the amplitude and phase control modules corresponding to the active channel. For phased array antennas with multiple amplitude and phase controls, there are multiple test items. For each test item, only the control state of one amplitude and phase control is traversed, and the other amplitude and phase controls are set to all zero states.

[0042] The third type is the area-wide open test. This test uses internal / external monitoring links to open all active channels within a specified area, with amplitude and phase control set to a zero state.

[0043] The three major categories of test items cover all components of the module, traversing each active channel and control state, as shown in Table 1, to achieve a comprehensive evaluation of the module's performance.

[0044] Table 1

[0045]

[0046]

[0047] This embodiment employs batch data processing technology, allowing the test control software to select test data in batches, enabling rapid batch analysis of test data and generating test reports.

[0048] In this embodiment, after the module under test is connected to the test system as required, subsequent test operations are completed in the module test control software (such as...). Figure 3 As shown in the image, the specific test steps are as follows:

[0049] Step 1: Click the power button.

[0050] Step 2: If the test items in the configuration pool contain the required test items, proceed to Step 4; if the test items in the configuration pool do not contain the required test items, proceed to Step 3.

[0051] Step 3: For test projects not in the configuration pool, set the corresponding parameters in the parameter settings panel, then click save to save the configuration file to the configuration pool, and proceed to Step 2.

[0052] Step 4: Click the Load button to load the configuration files for all required test items from the configuration pool.

[0053] Step 5: Click "Test" to perform module performance testing. The test files will be automatically saved to the test database.

[0054] Step 6: Click the power off button.

[0055] Step 7: Click the "Analyze" button to read the test data of the required test items in batches from the test database and automatically generate a test report.

[0056] Step 8: Based on the test report, determine whether the performance of the tested module meets the requirements.

[0057] In summary, the phased array antenna module testing system and method proposed in this invention can quickly and comprehensively complete module performance testing and effectively evaluate whether the module performance meets the requirements.

[0058] This invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A phased array antenna module testing system, characterized in that: The phased array antenna module under test includes radiating elements, active channels, amplitude and phase control modules, as well as a main signal port, an internal monitoring port, and a power supply and control interface. The test system includes a microwave anechoic chamber, a probe, a probe controller, a computer, power divider A, power divider B, and a test unit, along with cables connecting the above equipment. During testing, the phased array antenna module under test, the probe, and the probe controller are placed in the microwave anechoic chamber. The test unit includes a signal interface, a monitoring A interface, a monitoring B interface, a probe control interface, a low-frequency and optical interface, and a computer interface. The probe control interface is connected to the probe controller, the computer interface is connected to the computer, the low-frequency and optical interface is connected to the power supply and control interface, the signal interface is connected to the main signal port through power divider A, the monitoring A interface is connected to the internal monitoring interface through power divider B to form an internal monitoring link, and the monitoring B interface is connected to the probe to form an external monitoring link. The module test control software in the control computer enables the power-on, power-off, testing, and analysis testing of the phased array antenna module under test.

2. The phased array antenna module testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system employs automatic switching between internal and external monitoring. During internal monitoring testing, the RF link automatically switches to the internal monitoring link, and during external monitoring testing, the RF link automatically switches to the external monitoring link. This eliminates the need for manual disassembly and reconnection of the test system, enabling automatic testing of all module test items.

3. The phased array antenna module testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Through link integration, the internal monitoring interface is connected to an external power divider B to meet the testing requirements of multiple modules or multiple internal monitoring ports; the main signal port is connected to an external power divider A to meet the testing requirements of multi-beam or multi-polarization.

4. The phased array antenna module testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The module test control software saves the interface settings as configuration files to the test project configuration pool. During module testing, it can flexibly test by calling some configuration files in the configuration pool, or select all configuration files in the configuration pool to achieve cluster testing.

5. The phased array antenna module testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phased array antenna module is tested using a multi-mode traversal test method, which includes the following three types of test items: The first type is the channel zero-state traversal test; this test uses internal / external monitoring paths to turn on each active channel one by one, with amplitude and phase control set to the all-zero state. The second category is amplitude and phase control and channel combination traversal test. This test uses internal / external monitoring paths to turn on each active channel one by one, and traverses the control state of the amplitude and phase control corresponding to the active channel. For phased array antennas with multiple amplitude and phase controls, there are multiple test items. For each test item, only one amplitude and phase control control state is traversed, and the other amplitude and phase controls are set to the all-zero state. The third category is full-area open testing; This test uses internal / external monitoring pathways, opens all active channels within a specified area, and sets amplitude and phase control to a zero state; The three types of test items cover all components of the module, traversing every active channel and control state, to achieve a comprehensive evaluation of the module's performance.

6. The phased array antenna module testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The test control software allows for batch selection of test data, enabling rapid batch analysis of the test data and generation of test reports.

7. A method for testing a phased array antenna module based on the phased array antenna module testing system according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: After the phased array antenna module under test is connected to the test system as required, the subsequent operations are completed in the module test control software. The specific test steps are as follows: Step 1: Power on the system; Step 2: If the configuration pool contains the required test items, proceed to Step 4; if the configuration pool does not contain the required test items, proceed to Step 3. Step 3: For test projects not in the configuration pool, set the corresponding parameters, then save the configuration file to the configuration pool, and return to Step 2; Step 4: Load the configuration files for all required test items from the configuration pool; Step 5: Perform performance testing on the phased array antenna module; the test files will be automatically saved to the test database. Step 6: Power off and stop the test; Step 7: Batch read test data of test items from the test database and automatically generate test reports; Step 8: Based on the test report, determine whether the performance of the tested module meets the requirements.

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