Coupling network for testing active radio frequency modules
By designing a coupling network that includes Wilkinson power dividers, the problem of flexibly configuring the coupling and isolation of RF ports in existing technologies is solved, enabling accurate simulation and scalability of 5G antenna arrays and supporting the optimization of active RF modules.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-27
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies cannot flexibly configure the coupling or isolation between different RF ports, making it difficult to accurately simulate the complex coupling relationships of 5G massive MIMO antenna arrays. Furthermore, the test system has poor scalability and is difficult to adapt to the antenna testing needs of different numbers of ports.
A coupling network consisting of at least two transmission networks, including Wilkinson power dividers and other power dividers, is employed. Through array arrangement and flexible configuration of the power division ratio, the performance of the antenna RF port is accurately simulated, and the feeding interface simulation of different polarization signals and the series connection of coupling units are realized.
It achieves efficient and accurate simulation of antenna RF port performance, provides reliable support for active RF module optimization, has a simple structure and can be flexibly configured to meet the testing needs of different numbers of ports.
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Figure CN121750115A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of mobile communication, and in particular to a coupling network for testing an active radio frequency module. BACKGROUND
[0002] With the rapid development of communication technology, the fifth generation mobile communication system (5G for short) has become the mainstream direction of industry development. The architecture of 5G base station has undergone major changes compared to traditional base stations. Its typical feature is to integrate the radio remote unit (RRU) and the antenna into the active antenna unit (AAU) device, realizing the integrated design of the radio frequency front end and the antenna. This architectural innovation not only improves the integration and performance of the base station, but also puts higher requirements on the testing and verification link.
[0003] The testing of the active radio frequency module (such as power amplifier, low noise amplifier, etc.) in the AAU device of the related technology is very complex, and its performance is highly dependent on the interaction of the antenna ports, such as the coupling degree or isolation degree between the radio frequency ports, which directly affects the signal integrity, beamforming accuracy and overall system efficiency. Therefore, the testing of the active radio frequency module needs an auxiliary module that can accurately simulate the performance of the antenna radio frequency port to generate a test signal close to the actual working conditions of the antenna radio frequency port.
[0004] However, the auxiliary module for simulating the performance of the antenna in the related technology mostly uses a complex coupling network structure to realize it. For example, a multi-port network is constructed by using a directional coupler to simulate the coupling relationship between the ports in the antenna array, but these methods have the following problems:
[0005] 1. The existing simulation module cannot flexibly configure the coupling degree or isolation degree between different radio frequency ports, and it is difficult to accurately simulate the performance of the antenna in different scenarios;
[0006] 2. Since the 5G large-scale antenna array usually contains multiple rows and columns of radio frequency ports, the existing testing method is difficult to effectively simulate the complex coupling relationship between the rows, columns and intra-row radio frequency ports;
[0007] 3. The scalability of the testing system is poor, and it is difficult to adapt to the testing needs of antennas with different port numbers. SUMMARY
[0008] Therefore, it is necessary to solve at least one of the problems in the prior art, and to provide a coupling network for testing an active radio frequency module, which has a simple structure and can be flexibly configured, can efficiently and accurately simulate the performance parameters of the antenna radio frequency port, and provides reliable support for the optimization of the active radio frequency module.
[0009] The application provides a coupling network for testing an active radio frequency module, the coupling network comprising at least two transmission networks, the at least two transmission networks being arranged in an array; the transmission network comprising a first power divider and a second power divider;
[0010] The first power divider is a Wilkinson power divider, the first power divider comprising a first input port, a first output port and a second output port; the second power divider comprising a second input port and two third output ports; the first input port being used for connecting the active radio frequency module to be detected, the first output port being used for accessing a testing instrument, and the second output port being electrically connected with the second input port;
[0011] The transmission networks arranged in the transverse direction are sequentially connected, and the third output ports of two transmission networks arranged in the transverse direction are electrically connected with each other.
[0012] In one of the embodiments, the transmission networks arranged in the longitudinal direction are sequentially connected.
[0013] In one of the embodiments, the transmission network further comprises a third power divider and a fourth power divider, the third power divider being arranged between the second output port and the second input port, the third power divider comprising a third input port, a fourth output port and a fifth output port; the third input port being connected with the second output port, and the fourth output port being connected with the second input port;
[0014] The fourth power divider comprises a fourth input port and two sixth output ports, the fourth input port being connected with the fifth output port; for two transmission networks arranged in the longitudinal direction, the sixth output ports of the two transmission networks arranged in the longitudinal direction are electrically connected with each other.
[0015] In one of the embodiments, at least one of the third power divider and the fourth power divider is a Wilkinson power divider.
[0016] In one of the embodiments, the transmission networks arranged in the transverse direction sequentially comprise a plurality of first polarization transmission networks and a plurality of second polarization transmission networks, each first polarization transmission network and each second polarization transmission network being arranged in the transverse direction alternately.
[0017] In one of the embodiments, the coupling network further comprises a plurality of fifth power dividers and a plurality of sixth power dividers;
[0018] Each of the fifth power dividers is connected between two adjacent fourth power dividers of the first polarization transmission network along the longitudinal direction, and each of the sixth power dividers is connected between two adjacent fourth power dividers of the second polarization transmission network along the longitudinal direction.
[0019] Each of the fifth power dividers located between two adjacent rows of the transmission network in the vertical direction is connected sequentially in the horizontal direction, and each of the sixth power dividers located between two adjacent rows of the transmission network in the vertical direction is connected sequentially in the horizontal direction.
[0020] In one embodiment, a first clearance portion is provided at the connection point of two adjacent fifth power dividers in the lateral direction. The first clearance portion is located between the two adjacent fifth power dividers and is located at the sixth output port of the fourth power divider corresponding to the second polarization.
[0021] A second clearance portion is provided at the connection point of two adjacent sixth power dividers in the lateral direction. The second clearance portion is located between the two adjacent sixth power dividers and is located at the sixth output port of the fourth power divider corresponding to the first polarization.
[0022] In one embodiment, the second power divider is a T-type power divider.
[0023] In one embodiment, the second power divider further includes a seventh output port; the transmission network further includes a seventh power divider; the seventh power divider includes a fifth input port connected to the seventh output port; and the seventh power dividers of two longitudinally adjacent transmission networks are electrically connected to each other.
[0024] In one embodiment, the seventh power divider is a Wilkinson power divider.
[0025] In one embodiment, the coupling network further includes a circuit board on which a plurality of the transmission networks are disposed.
[0026] The aforementioned coupling network for testing active RF modules uses two first input ports to simulate the feed interfaces of two different polarization signals of the antenna. Furthermore, for each transmission network, the transmission loss between the first input port and the first output port used to connect to the test instrument is, for example, -3dB, effectively acting as a signal channel. Wilkinson power dividers typically have an output port isolation of -20dB or higher. This configuration of the first power divider ensures that the coupled signal does not enter the first output port used to connect to the test instrument, guaranteeing stable return and insertion losses in the transmission link. This allows for consistent insertion losses across different transmission links in the coupling network, enabling efficient and accurate simulation of the antenna's RF port performance parameters and providing reliable support for the optimization of active RF modules. Additionally, two transversely adjacent transmission networks constitute a coupling unit, which has a simple structure and can be flexibly configured. Attached Figure Description
[0027] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the coupling unit of a coupling network according to an embodiment of this application.
[0028] Figure 2 Based on Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the coupling network of the coupling unit.
[0029] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the coupling unit of a coupling network according to another embodiment of this application.
[0030] Figure 4 Based on Figure 3 The diagram shows the structure of the coupling network of the coupling unit.
[0031] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged structural diagram at point A.
[0032] Figure 6 for Figure 3 The simulation diagram shows the isolation between the two first input ports of the coupling unit.
[0033] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the coupling unit of a coupling network according to another embodiment of this application.
[0034] Figure 8 Based on Figure 7 The diagram shows the structure of the coupling network of the coupling unit.
[0035] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Enlarged structural diagram at point B.
[0036] 10. Coupling unit; 11. Transmission network; 111. First power divider; 1111. First input port; 1112. First output port; 1113. Second output port; 1114. Isolation resistor; 112. Second power divider; 1121. Second input port; 1122. Third output port; 1124. Seventh output port; 113. Third power divider; 1131. Third input port; 1132. Fourth output port; 1133. Fifth output port; 114. Fourth power divider; 1141. Fourth input port; 1142. Sixth output port; 115. Fifth power divider; 1151. First clearance section; 116. Sixth power divider; 1161. Second clearance section; 117. Seventh power divider; 1171. Fifth input port; 1172. Eighth output port; 12. Load; 20. Circuit board; X, Lateral; Y, Vertical. Detailed Implementation
[0037] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.
[0038] This application provides a coupling network for testing active RF modules. It has a simple structure and can be flexibly configured. It can efficiently and accurately simulate the performance parameters of antenna RF ports, providing reliable support for the optimization of active RF modules.
[0039] The following will combine Figures 1 to 9 The coupling network used for testing active radio frequency modules in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail.
[0040] See Figure 1 , Figure 3 or Figure 7 , Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 7 The diagrams show the structures of coupling units 10 according to three different embodiments of this application. One embodiment of this application provides a coupling network for testing active radio frequency modules. The coupling network includes at least two transmission networks 11. The number of transmission networks 11 can be, for example, 2, 3, 5, 8, 16, 17, 64, 65, 128, 129, or 130, and can be flexibly adjusted and set according to actual needs. At least two transmission networks 11 are arranged in an array. Two adjacent transmission networks 11 along the horizontal x-axis constitute a coupling unit 10, thus multiple coupling units 10 can be formed. Please refer to... Figure 2Multiple coupling units 10 are arranged in a row and connected sequentially along the horizontal X direction; or, please refer to Figure 4 or Figure 8 Multiple coupling units 10 are arranged in a rectangular array. Specifically, the coupling units 10 in each row are connected sequentially along the horizontal direction (X), and the coupling units 10 in each column are connected sequentially along the vertical direction (Y).
[0041] In this system, one coupling element 10 simulates the insertion loss and coupling degree between two feed ports of different polarizations of an antenna. The specific number and arrangement of the multiple coupling elements 10 are set according to the number and arrangement of the antennas, so as to simulate the port parameters of multiple antennas and test the performance of the active RF module in the AAU device using test instruments. Specifically, when the antennas to be simulated are in a row, for example, four, the number of coupling elements 10 is four, arranged as follows: Figure 2 As shown, they are connected sequentially along the horizontal X direction to form a row; when the antenna to be simulated is 4 rows and 8 columns, that is, the number of feed ports is 4 rows and 16 columns, the coupling unit 10 is arranged accordingly as shown. Figure 4 or Figure 8 The layout is shown in a 4x8 arrangement. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 4 or Figure 8 For each row, the coupling units 10 are connected sequentially along the horizontal direction X; for each column, the coupling units 10 are connected sequentially along the vertical direction Y. Of course, the coupling units 10 can also be set to any other number according to actual needs, and there is no restriction here.
[0042] Please refer to the following: Figure 1 , Figure 3 or Figure 7 The following is combined with Figure 1 , Figure 3 or Figure 7 The specific structural forms of the transmission network 11 and the coupling unit 10 will be described in detail.
[0043] Each coupling unit 10 includes two transmission networks 11. The two transmission networks 11 can have the same shape and size or they can differ, and this is not a limitation. In this embodiment, we will specifically take the example of two transmission networks 11 having the same shape and size.
[0044] Specifically, the transmission network 11 includes a first power divider 111 and a second power divider 112.
[0045] The first power divider 111 is a Wilkinson power divider. An isolation resistor 1114 is connected between the two output ports of the Wilkinson power divider, thus achieving an isolation level of over -20dB. The first power divider 111 includes a first input port 1111, a first output port 1112, and a second output port 1113. The second power divider 112 is either a 1-to-2 power divider or a 1-to-3 power divider; no specific limitation is imposed here. Figure 1 and Figure 3 The second power divider 112 shown in the diagram is a 1-to-2 power divider. Figure 7 The illustrated second power divider 112 is a 1-to-3 power divider. The second power divider 112 includes a second input port 1121 and two third output ports 1122.
[0046] The first input port 1111 is used to connect to the active RF module to be tested. Subsequently, the two first input ports 1111 of the same coupling unit 10 can respectively correspond to the two feed ports of an antenna with different polarizations. Specifically, one first input port 1111 is used to simulate the positive feed port, and the other first input port 1111 is used to simulate the negative feed port.
[0047] For each of the first power dividers 111, the first output port 1112 is used to connect to the test instrument, and the second output port 1113 is electrically connected to the second input port 1121.
[0048] In this configuration, multiple transmission networks 11 arranged along the horizontal X direction are connected sequentially, and the third output ports 1122 of two adjacent transmission networks 11 along the horizontal X direction are electrically connected to each other. In other words, for two second power dividers 112 of the same coupling unit 10, two of their third output ports 1122 are electrically connected to each other, and the remaining third output ports 1122 are used to connect to the load 12 and / or electrically connected to the third output ports 1122 of other coupling units 10.
[0049] The aforementioned coupling network for testing active RF modules uses two first input ports 1111 to simulate the feed interfaces of two different polarization signals of the antenna. Furthermore, for each transmission network 11, the transmission loss between the first input port 1111 and the first output port 1112 used for connecting to the test instrument is, for example, -3dB, thus acting as a signal channel. The output port isolation of a Wilkinson power divider is typically above -20dB. This configuration of the first power divider 111 ensures that the signal used for coupling does not enter the first output port 1112 used for connecting to the test instrument, guaranteeing stable return loss and insertion loss in the transmission link. This allows the insertion loss of different transmission links in the coupling network to be essentially consistent, thereby efficiently and accurately simulating the performance parameters of the antenna RF port and providing reliable support for the optimization of the active RF module. Additionally, two horizontally adjacent transmission networks 11 constitute a coupling unit 10, which has a simple structure and can be flexibly configured.
[0050] Please refer to the following: Figure 2 Multiple transmission networks 11 arranged along the horizontal X direction are connected sequentially. That is, multiple coupling units 10 are arranged in a row and connected sequentially along the arrangement direction. The arrangement direction is as follows: Figure 2 The horizontal direction X is defined in the figure. The third output ports 1122 of two adjacent coupling units 10 are connected to each other. In this way, multiple coupling units 10 are connected in series along the horizontal direction X. The third output ports 1122 of two adjacent coupling units 10 act as bridges, enabling the coupling between the first input ports 1111 of two adjacent coupling units 10, and simulating the coupling degree between the feed ports of different antennas in the row.
[0051] Based on the aforementioned embodiments, the plurality of transmission networks 11 arranged sequentially along the transverse X direction include a plurality of first polarization transmission networks and a plurality of second polarization transmission networks. The first polarization transmission networks and the second polarization transmission networks are arranged alternately along the transverse X direction.
[0052] Please see Figures 3 to 5 or Figures 7 to 9 Compared to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The coupling network shown is for one row, but the coupling network is arranged in a multi-row, multi-column structure. Multiple coupling units 10 arranged along the horizontal X direction are connected sequentially, and multiple coupling units 10 arranged along the vertical Y direction are connected sequentially. The specific connection structure of the multiple coupling units 10 arranged along the horizontal X direction is similar to that described above, and will not be repeated here.
[0053] To achieve sequential connection of multiple coupling units 10 arranged along the longitudinal Y direction, for example, please refer to... Figures 3 to 5The transmission network 11 also includes a third power divider 113 and a fourth power divider 114. The third power divider 113 is disposed between the second output port 1113 and the second input port 1121, and includes a third input port 1131, a fourth output port 1132, and a fifth output port 1133. The third input port 1131 is connected to the second output port 1113, and the fourth output port 1132 is connected to the second input port 1121.
[0054] The fourth power divider 114 includes a fourth input port 1141 and two sixth output ports 1142. The fourth input port 1141 is connected to the fifth output port 1133. For two coupling units 10 arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal Y direction, the two transmission networks 11 of one coupling unit 10 correspond one-to-one with the two transmission networks 11 of the other coupling unit 10 along the longitudinal Y direction. The corresponding fourth power dividers 114 arranged along the longitudinal Y direction are connected sequentially, that is, each fourth power divider 114 is connected in series through the two sixth output ports 1142, thereby realizing the sequential connection of multiple coupling units 10 arranged along the longitudinal Y direction to simulate the interrow antenna. The sixth output port 1142 located at the edge is connected to the load 12 to improve stability.
[0055] Given the low isolation between antennas in different rows, to reduce inter-row isolation, similar to the specific structure of the first power divider 111, optionally, at least one of the third power divider 113 and the fourth power divider 114 can be a Wilkinson power divider. In this embodiment, both the third power divider 113 and the fourth power divider 114 are Wilkinson power dividers. Thus, the third power divider 113 and the fourth power divider 114 can reduce crosstalk between inter-row and intra-row coupled signals; the fourth power divider 114 can also weaken the coupling of the spaced rows, better simulating antenna performance.
[0056] Please see Figures 3 to 6 , Figure 6 The diagram illustrates the coupling degree between the first input port 1111 of two adjacent coupling units 10 arranged along the transverse X direction. Figure 6 As can be seen, the coupling between two adjacent first input ports 1111 along the horizontal X direction is approximately -18dB. Therefore, by testing the coupling between two adjacent first input ports 1111 along the horizontal X direction, it is possible to determine whether the coupled network is functioning correctly.
[0057] To make the technical effects of this application clearer, the coupling degree is calculated below based on the fact that the first power divider 111, the second power divider 112, the third power divider 113, and the fourth power divider 114 are all equal power dividers. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 3The signal is input from the first input port 1111, flows through the first power divider 111, and splits the power into two parts. Half of the power enters the first output port 1112 of the first power divider 1111 to form a transmission channel with a transmission loss of -3dB. The other half of the power is transmitted to the second output port 1113, and from there enters the third power divider 113, with -3dB of energy entering the third power divider 113. The third power divider 113 further splits the power into two parts: one half enters the fourth power divider through the fifth output port 1133, and the other half enters the second power divider 112 through the fourth output port 1132. The second power divider 112 is used to achieve energy coupling between intra-row channels. The fourth power divider 114 is used to achieve energy coupling between inter-row channels.
[0058] The four output ports—the third output port 1122, the second output port 1122, and the two sixth output ports 1142—form the four coupling connection ports of one of the transmission networks 11. These four coupling connection ports can be used to connect different channels in the horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) directions, forming a coupling network. Taking inter-row coupling as an example, -6dB of energy enters the second power divider 112 to couple between different transmission networks 11 within the same row. The third output port 1122 of the second power divider 112 receives a -9dB signal, which enters the transmission network 11 through the coupling connection port of another transmission network 11. After coupling through the opposite path, it is coupled to the first input port 1111 of the other transmission network 11, where the signal attenuates by 9dB. Therefore, the coupling between the first input ports 1111 of the two transmission networks 11 is approximately -18dB. For details, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 6 When it is necessary to increase the coupling between the first input ports 1111 of the two transmission networks 11, it is only necessary to adjust the power distribution ratio of the first power divider 111 to the third power divider 113.
[0059] Therefore, this application can flexibly configure the coupling between the input ports of the transmission link by adjusting the power division ratio of each stage of the power divider, so as to better simulate the performance of the antenna RF port.
[0060] For example, the two fourth power dividers 114 of the coupling unit 10 correspond to the first polarization and the second polarization of the antenna, respectively. The first polarization is a positive polarization signal, and the second polarization is a negative polarization signal.
[0061] The coupling network further includes multiple fifth power dividers 115 and multiple sixth power dividers 116. Each fifth power divider 115 is connected between two adjacent fourth power dividers 114 of the first polarization transmission network along the longitudinal Y direction. In this way, the fourth power dividers 114, which are arranged along the longitudinal Y direction and correspond to the first polarization, are sequentially connected through the fifth power dividers 115 to achieve inter-row first polarization coupling.
[0062] Similarly, each sixth power divider 116 is connected between two adjacent fourth power dividers 114 of the second polarization transmission network along the longitudinal Y direction. In this way, each fourth power divider 114 arranged along the longitudinal Y direction and corresponding to the second polarization is connected sequentially through the sixth power divider 116 to achieve inter-row second polarization coupling.
[0063] By flexibly configuring and adjusting the number of coupling units 10 in the coupling network, coupling networks with different numbers of ports can be formed to simulate the port performance of different antennas.
[0064] The fifth power divider 115 is a 1-to-3 power divider, and each of the fifth power dividers 115 located between two adjacent rows of coupling units 10 in the longitudinal Y direction is connected sequentially along the transverse X direction. The sixth power divider 116 is a 1-to-3 power divider, and each of the sixth power dividers 116 located between two adjacent rows of coupling units 10 in the longitudinal Y direction is connected sequentially along the transverse X direction.
[0065] Among them, the fifth power divider 115 and the sixth power divider 116 are arranged alternately along the horizontal X direction.
[0066] Based on the aforementioned embodiment, a first clearance portion 1151 is provided at the connection point of two adjacent fifth power dividers 115 along the horizontal X direction. The first clearance portion 1151 clearances the sixth output port 1142 of the fourth power divider 114 located between the two adjacent fifth power dividers 115 and corresponding to the second polarization.
[0067] Based on the aforementioned embodiment, a second clearance portion 1161 is provided at the connection point of two adjacent sixth power dividers 116 along the transverse X direction. The second clearance portion 1161 clearances the sixth output port 1142 of the fourth power divider 114 located between the two adjacent sixth power dividers 116 and corresponding to the first polarization.
[0068] It is understandable that the output ports of the fifth power divider 115, located at opposite sides of the horizontal X-direction, are connected to the load 12, and the output ports of the sixth power divider 116, located at opposite sides of the horizontal X-direction, are connected to the load 12 to absorb excess energy and thus ensure stability.
[0069] Based on the aforementioned embodiments, the second power divider 112 is a T-type power divider. The output port isolation of a T-type power divider is typically above -6dB. The second power divider 112 adopts this form mainly to allow the signal of the transmission network 11 to reach one or more transmission networks 11 apart. This can better simulate the coupling between ports with close antenna distances.
[0070] To achieve sequential connection of multiple coupling units 10 arranged along the longitudinal Y direction, in some other embodiments, see [reference needed]. Figures 7 to 9 , Figures 7 to 9 The coupled network shown is different from Figures 3 to 5 The transmission network 11 shown, Figures 3 to 5 The transmission network 11 shown has four power dividers. Figures 7 to 9 The number of power dividers in the transmission network 11 shown can be set to, for example, three. Specifically, the second power divider 112 also includes a seventh output port 1124. Therefore, the second power divider 112 is configured as a 1-to-3 power divider.
[0071] In addition, the transmission network 11 also includes a seventh power divider 117. The seventh power divider 117 includes a fifth input port 1171 and two eighth output ports 1172. The fifth input port 1171 is connected to the seventh output port 1124. Seventh power dividers 117 of two adjacent transmission networks 11 along the longitudinal Y direction are electrically connected to each other. That is, the seventh power dividers 117 are connected in series through the two eighth output ports 1172, thereby realizing the sequential connection of multiple coupling units 10 arranged along the longitudinal Y direction to simulate interrow antennas. The eighth output port 1172 located at the edge is connected to the load 12 to absorb excess energy and improve stability.
[0072] Based on the aforementioned embodiments, the seventh power divider 117 is a Wilkinson power divider.
[0073] In some embodiments, the coupling network further includes a circuit board 20, on which a plurality of coupling units 10 are disposed. The coupling network can be based on microstrip lines and striplines, so the circuit board 20 can be a two-layer board or a multi-layer board, without limitation herein.
[0074] In the description of this application, it should be understood that if terms such as "center", "longitudinal Y", "transverse X", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" appear, these terms indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.
[0075] Furthermore, where the terms "first" and "second" appear, these terms are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, where the term "multiple" appears, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0076] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0077] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the use of descriptions such as "above" or "below" the second feature indicates that the first and second features are in direct contact or indirect contact via an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. Similarly, "below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0078] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. If so, the terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.
[0079] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
[0080] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A coupling network for testing active radio frequency modules, characterized in that, The coupling network includes at least two transmission networks, which are arranged in an array; the transmission network includes a first power divider and a second power divider. The first power divider is a Wilkinson power divider, which includes a first input port, a first output port, and a second output port; the second power divider includes a second input port and two third output ports; the first input port is used to connect to the active RF module under test, the first output port is used to connect to the test instrument, and the second output port is electrically connected to the second input port. The multiple transmission networks arranged in the horizontal direction are connected in sequence, and the third output ports of two adjacent transmission networks in the horizontal direction are electrically connected to each other.
2. The coupling network according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple transmission networks arranged along the longitudinal direction are connected in sequence.
3. The coupling network according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transmission network further includes a third power divider and a fourth power divider. The third power divider is disposed between the second output port and the second input port. The third power divider includes a third input port, a fourth output port, and a fifth output port. The third input port is connected to the second output port, and the fourth output port is connected to the second input port. The fourth power divider includes a fourth input port and two sixth output ports, the fourth input port being connected to the fifth output port; for two transmission networks arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction, the sixth output ports of the two longitudinally adjacent transmission networks are electrically connected to each other.
4. The coupling network according to claim 3, characterized in that, At least one of the third power divider and the fourth power divider is a Wilkinson power divider.
5. The coupling network according to claim 3, characterized in that, The multiple transmission networks arranged sequentially along the lateral direction include multiple first polarization transmission networks and multiple second polarization transmission networks, with each first polarization transmission network and each second polarization transmission network arranged alternately along the lateral direction.
6. The coupling network according to claim 5, characterized in that, The coupling network also includes multiple fifth power dividers and multiple sixth power dividers; Each of the fifth power dividers is connected between two adjacent fourth power dividers of the first polarization transmission network along the longitudinal direction, and each of the sixth power dividers is connected between two adjacent fourth power dividers of the second polarization transmission network along the longitudinal direction. Each of the fifth power dividers located between two adjacent rows of the transmission network in the vertical direction is connected sequentially in the horizontal direction, and each of the sixth power dividers located between two adjacent rows of the transmission network in the vertical direction is connected sequentially in the horizontal direction.
7. The coupling network according to claim 6, characterized in that, A first clearance portion is provided at the connection point of two adjacent fifth power dividers in the lateral direction. The first clearance portion is located between the two adjacent fifth power dividers and is located at the sixth output port of the fourth power divider corresponding to the second polarization. A second clearance portion is provided at the connection point of two adjacent sixth power dividers in the lateral direction. The second clearance portion is located between the two adjacent sixth power dividers and is located at the sixth output port of the fourth power divider corresponding to the first polarization.
8. The coupling network according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second power divider is a T-type power divider.
9. The coupled network according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second power divider also includes a seventh output port; the transmission network also includes a seventh power divider; the seventh power divider includes a fifth input port, which is connected to the seventh output port; the seventh power dividers of two longitudinally adjacent transmission networks are electrically connected to each other.
10. The coupling network according to claim 9, characterized in that, The seventh power divider is a Wilkinson power divider.
11. The coupled network according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The coupling network also includes a circuit board, on which multiple transmission networks are disposed.