Antenna monitoring device, antenna monitoring method and antenna beam detection device

Abstract

The invention provides an antenna monitoring device, an antenna monitoring method and an antenna beam detection device. An antenna beam detection and monitoring device is provided that uses a beam strength detection patch with patterned coupling lines. An antenna beam detection apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a sheet disposed on an upper end of a beam radiating surface of an antenna and having a plurality of coupling lines formed therein to couple a beam radiated from the antenna to the coupling lines; and a plurality of detectors configured to measure the intensities of the beams coupled to the coupling lines, respectively. Accordingly, even when the antenna is operating, the performance of the antenna can be monitored in real time with a small-sized device and at low cost.

Description

[0001] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0120089 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on September 11, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication technology, and more particularly, to a method for monitoring by estimating performance in real time while an antenna for wireless communication operates. Background Art

[0003] Array antennas can achieve beam steering by adjusting the phase, but it may be difficult to check whether the beam is tilted in the correct direction when the antenna is installed in the device. That is, the antenna can only be tested by the package antenna (AiP) technology before it is released, and it may be difficult to continue to check errors that occur during operation after the antenna is released.

[0004] AiP test equipment used to test antennas before they are released includes an AiP test socket capable of testing under near-field conditions and an equipment capable of AiP testing under far-field conditions. The AiP test socket may have limitations such that it is only possible to measure performance in the boresight direction.

[0005] In order to test the antenna in various directions, a device capable of performing AiP testing under far-field conditions should be used. However, this device has the problem of being bulky and expensive. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present disclosure is proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an antenna beam estimation method and apparatus, which use a beam intensity detection sheet with patterned coupling lines as a solution for monitoring antenna performance in real time with a small-sized device and at low cost even when the antenna is operating.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, an antenna monitoring device may include: a sheet, in which a plurality of coupling lines are formed so that a beam radiated from an antenna is coupled to the coupling lines; a plurality of detectors, configured to respectively measure the strength of the beams coupled to the coupling lines; and an analyzer, configured to analyze the performance of the antenna based on the strength of the beam measured by the detector.

[0008] The coupling lines may be arranged at regular intervals.

[0009] The coupling line may include: a first coupling line in a first direction; and a second coupling line in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.

[0010] The first coupling line may be formed in a first layer of the sheet, and the second coupling line may be formed in a second layer of the sheet different from the first layer.

[0011] The coupled line may transmit a beam in an operating frequency band of the antenna.

[0012] The coupling line may be formed as a metal pattern, and the thickness, interval, and interlayer distance of the coupling line may be adjusted so that the coupling line has a bandpass filter characteristic in an operating frequency band of the antenna.

[0013] The analyzer may estimate the directivity of the antenna based on the measured beam strength.

[0014] The detectors may respectively measure the intensities of beams coupled to the coupling lines when the antenna is in operation.

[0015] The analyzer may estimate the directivity of the antenna before the antenna is launched or in real time.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an antenna monitoring method, the antenna monitoring method comprising: coupling a beam radiated from an antenna to a plurality of coupling lines formed in a sheet; measuring the intensity of the coupled beam; and analyzing performance of the antenna based on the measured beam intensity.

[0017] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an antenna beam detection device, comprising: a sheet in which a plurality of coupling lines are formed so that beams radiated from an antenna are coupled to the coupling lines; and a plurality of detectors configured to respectively measure the intensities of the beams coupled to the coupling lines.

[0018] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure as described above, the antenna beam can be estimated and monitored by using a beam intensity detection sheet having a patterned coupling line, so that antenna abnormalities can be quickly detected and rapid measurements can be made, and the performance of the antenna can be optimally maintained and the downtime of the system can be minimized.

[0019] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the beam strength detection sheet can be applied to all systems using antennas and can be applied to pre-testing of antennas before the antennas are released. In this regard, the size and cost of the test device can be minimized.

[0020] Other aspects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become readily understood by those skilled in the art through the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclosed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Before proceeding to the detailed description of the present invention below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms "including" and "comprising" and their derivatives mean including, but not limited to; the term "or" is inclusive, meaning and / or; the phrases "associated with" and "associated with" and their derivatives may mean including, included within, interconnected with, containing, contained within, connected to or connected with, coupled to or coupled with, communicable with, cooperating with, interlaced, juxtaposed, proximate to, bound to or bound with, having, having the property of, etc. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most, instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts:

[0023] Figure 1 is a view showing an example of an array antenna;

[0024] Figure 2 is a view showing an antenna beam detection sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 A view of the unit structure of the antenna beam detection sheet shown;

[0026] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a view showing a transmission loss test result of an antenna beam detection sheet;

[0027] Figure 5 is a view of a power detector provided to illustrate an antenna beam detection sheet;

[0028] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B is a view provided to explain a method for estimating directivity of an array antenna;

[0029] Figure 7 is a top view of an antenna beam detection sheet according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 8 is a side view of an antenna beam detection sheet according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Fig. 9 is a view showing a unit structure of an antenna beam detection sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Fig.10 is a view showing the overall layout of an antenna beam detection sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0033] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 A magnified view of a portion of the power detector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for real-time estimation of the beam of an operating antenna. A sheet with patterned coupling lines can be disposed on the upper portion of the radiating surface of the antenna to detect the intensity of the beam radiated from the antenna, and analyze / monitor the performance of the antenna based on the detection result.

[0036] Figure 1 An array antenna 10 is shown whose performance is to be analyzed and monitored according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The array antenna 10 shown is capable of beam steering by adjusting the feed phase.

[0037] Figure 2 The antenna beam detection sheet 110 according to the embodiment is shown to be arranged Figure 1 On the upper part of the array antenna 10 proposed in the embodiment. Figure 2 As shown, the antenna beam detection sheet 110 according to the embodiment may be disposed on an upper portion of the beam radiation surface of the array antenna 10 .

[0038] The antenna beam detection sheet 110 according to an embodiment may have a plurality of coupling lines 111 formed therein so that the beam radiated from the array antenna 10 is coupled to the antenna beam detection sheet 110. As shown in the figure, the coupling lines 111 may be arranged in parallel at regular intervals.

[0039] Figure 3 The unit structure of the antenna beam detection sheet 110 according to the embodiment is schematically shown. As shown in the figure, the coupling line 111 can be formed as a metal pattern in the sheet, and can be designed by applying the frequency selective surface (FSS) technology so as not to affect the performance of the array antenna 10 and to exhibit the characteristics of a bandpass filter in the frequency band in which the array antenna 10 operates. Specifically, the frequency transmission characteristics of the antenna beam detection sheet 110 can be adjusted by adjusting the thickness, spacing (horizontal distance) and interlayer distance (vertical distance) of the metal pattern used to form the coupling line 111.

[0040] To this end, the antenna beam detection sheet 110 may enable transmission of a beam in an operating frequency band of the array antenna 10 . Figure 4A1 shows the result of measuring the beam on the upper part of the sheet when a sheet without the coupling line 111 is provided on the upper part of the array antenna 10, and Figure 4B The result of measuring the beam on the upper part of the antenna beam detection sheet 110 is shown when the antenna beam detection sheet 110 in which the coupling line 111 is formed is disposed on the upper part of the array antenna 10. As shown in the figure, the FSS technology can be applied to the antenna beam detection sheet 110, thereby ensuring lower transmission loss in a specific frequency band.

[0041] This indicates that the antenna beam detection sheet 110 has low transmission loss in the operating frequency band of the array antenna 10, that is, even when the antenna beam detection sheet 110 is set on the upper part of the antenna, the gain in the operating frequency band of the array antenna 10 is almost unchanged. As described above, the antenna beam detection sheet 110 can be designed not to distort the operation of the array antenna 10.

[0042] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown, a power detector may be connected to an end of a coupling line 111 of the antenna beam detection patch 110 to measure the strength of a beam coupled to the coupling line 111 .

[0043] The intensity of the beam in the coupled line can be converted into a voltage by a power detector and can be transmitted to an antenna beam analyzer (not shown). The antenna beam analyzer monitors the beam intensity and beam directivity of the array antenna 10 by comparing the intensity of the beam measured from the coupled line 111 by the power detector.

[0044] For ease of explanation, Figure 5 The coupled lines of the antenna beam detection patch 110 are labeled with different letters A, B, C, D and E, and Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Measurement results from a coupled line 111 with corresponding characteristics are shown.

[0045] Fig. 6A The measurement results when the array antenna 10 radiates a beam in the boresight direction are shown. It can be recognized that the highest beam intensity is measured from the coupling line marked A disposed in the middle of the patch. This indicates that the radiation beam of the array antenna 10 is accurately formed in the boresight direction.

[0046] on the other hand, Figure 6B The measurement results when a beam is radiated from the array antenna 10 in a case where the array antenna 10 is tilted to the right are shown. In this case, it can be recognized that the highest beam intensity is measured from the coupling line marked C located on the right side of the sheet. This indicates that the radiated beam from the array antenna 10 is tilted to the right.

[0047] Fig. 6A and Figure 6BThe results show that the intensity of the beam coupled to the coupling line 111 varies according to the intensity and direction of the beam radiated from the array antenna 10, and means that the intensity and direction of the radiated beam can be monitored in real time by the intensity of the beam coupled to the coupling line. Based on the results of monitoring the beam from the antenna, the performance of the array antenna 10 can be optimized, and abnormalities can be quickly detected and appropriate measures can be taken.

[0048] Figure 7 FIG. 1 shows an antenna beam detection sheet 120 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 The embodiment shown differs in that the coupling lines 121 , 122 are formed in a grid pattern in the antenna beam detection patch 120 .

[0049] The coupling line 121 and the coupling line 122 may be formed in directions perpendicular to each other and may be formed in different layers that are not conductive to each other (eg, Figure 8 shown). Fig. 9 The unit structure of the antenna beam detection sheet 120 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0050] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment, one-dimensional measurement of beam intensity is performed by the antenna beam detection sheet 110, while two-dimensional measurement of beam intensity is performed by the antenna beam detection sheet 120 according to the embodiment, so that the intensity and direction of the beam can be estimated more specifically.

[0051] Fig.10 Shows Figure 7 and Figure 8 The overall layout of the antenna beam detection sheet 120 is shown. Fig.10 As shown, the antenna beam detection patch 120 may include coupling lines 121, 122 and a power detector 123 for detecting beam strength.

[0052] like Fig.11 As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 1 , the coupled lines 121 and 122 may be connected as inputs to a power detector 123, and the output of the power detector 123 represents a voltage value according to the beam strength. The voltage value may be transmitted to an antenna beam analyzer (not shown) and may be used to estimate the strength and direction of the beam radiated from the array antenna 10.

[0053] So far, the method and apparatus for monitoring by estimating antenna beams by using the antenna beam detection patches 110, 120 in which coupling lines are formed have been described with reference to the preferred embodiments.

[0054] The antenna beam detection pieces 110, 120 may be implemented inside the upper housing of the array antenna 10, or may be implemented in the lower end of the upper housing. This may be an optional solution for implementing the antenna.

[0055] The distance between the antenna beam detection patches 110, 120 and the array antenna 10 may be defined according to the standards and specifications of the antenna, and as the distance increases, a larger size of the antenna beam detection patches 110, 120 may be required.

[0056] An antenna beam estimation system including an antenna beam detection sheet and an antenna beam analyzer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can continue to monitor the operating status of the antenna during operation of the antenna, which is superior to the prior art method of performing a test once before the product is released like the AiP test socket.

[0057] In addition, the antenna beam detection sheet and the antenna beam analysis device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to AiP testing before releasing the antenna.

[0058] The prior art AiP test socket using near field can only measure the performance of the beam in the direction of the visual axis, while the method and device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can identify the phase error by beam scanning even under near field conditions when the method and device are applied to AiP testing. That is, the present disclosure proposes a new method that can measure the phase error using the prior art AiP test socket that performs testing through near field.

[0059] In addition, the method and apparatus according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to radio detection and ranging (RADAR). The antenna beam detection sheet according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to a radome or cover for protecting an antenna to continuously monitor whether the RADAR has faults and failures.

[0060] In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned specific embodiments. Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure claimed in the claims, various changes may be made by those skilled in the art, and the changed embodiments should not be understood as being separated from the technical concept or expectation of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An antenna monitoring device, comprising: a sheet, wherein a plurality of coupling lines are formed so that a beam radiated from an antenna is coupled to the coupling lines; a plurality of detectors configured to respectively measure the intensity of the beams coupled to the coupling lines; as well as An analyzer is configured to analyze performance of the antenna based on the strength of the beam measured by the detector.

2. The antenna monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein: The coupling lines are arranged at regular intervals.

3. The antenna monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein: The coupling line comprises: a first coupling line in a first direction; and A second coupling line in a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

4. The antenna monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein: The first coupling line is formed in a first layer of the sheet, and Wherein, the second coupling line is formed in a second layer of the sheet different from the first layer.

5. The antenna monitoring device according to claim 4, wherein: The coupled line is configured to transmit a beam in an operating frequency band of the antenna.

6. The antenna monitoring device according to claim 5, wherein: The coupling line is formed as a metal pattern, and The thickness, spacing and interlayer distance of the coupling lines are adjusted so that the coupling lines have bandpass filter characteristics in the operating frequency band of the antenna.

7. The antenna monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein: The analyzer is configured to estimate directivity of the antenna based on the measured beam strength.

8. The antenna monitoring device according to claim 7, wherein: The detectors are configured to respectively measure the intensities of beams coupled to the coupling lines when the antenna is in operation.

9. The antenna monitoring device according to claim 8, wherein: The analyzer is configured to estimate the directivity of the antenna before the antenna is launched or in real time.

10. An antenna monitoring method, comprising: coupling a beam radiated from the antenna to a plurality of coupling lines formed in the chip; measuring the strength of the coupled beam; as well as The performance of the antenna is analyzed based on the measured beam strength.

11. An antenna beam detection device, comprising: a sheet, wherein a plurality of coupling lines are formed so that a beam radiated from an antenna is coupled to the coupling lines; as well as A plurality of detectors are configured to respectively measure the intensity of the beams coupled to the coupling lines.

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