Improved antenna array amplitude and phase rapid testing device

Abstract

The utility model provides an improved antenna array amplitude and phase rapid testing device, which is used for testing an antenna array and comprises a tool support used for bearing the antenna array; the transmitting device comprises a transmitting end of a vector network analyzer, a radio frequency cable and a transmitting antenna, the transmitting end of the vector network analyzer is used for generating a signal for testing frequency, and the transmitting end of the vector network analyzer is connected with the radio frequency interface of the transmitting wire through the radio frequency cable; the transmitting antenna is arranged in the mounting test box, a slot with a downward opening is formed in the mounting test box, and the width of the slot is larger than the thickness of the antenna array; and the receiving device comprises an antenna array, a radio frequency cable of a receiving antenna and a receiving end of the vector network analyzer, the installation test box and the transmitting antenna are both parallel to the antenna array, and a radio frequency interface of the antenna array is connected with the receiving end of the vector network analyzer through the radio frequency cable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of antenna element amplitude-phase control testing, and particularly relates to an improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid testing device. Background Technique

[0002] Array antennas have been widely used in various radar systems. With the improvement of the tracking and positioning requirements for radar systems, in some special cases, only relying on the amplitude characteristics of the main lobe beam for search and positioning cannot meet the accuracy requirements. It is necessary to accurately position and measure with the phase center of the antenna element as the reference benchmark. In the actual engineering application of array antennas, due to the existence of various error sources, there will be a difference between the actual performance and the theoretical performance of the array antenna. The amplitude-phase error of the array aperture is an unavoidable random error. The amplitude-phase error will cause performance deterioration such as an increase in the antenna sidelobe level, a decrease in gain, and a beam pointing deviation, especially affecting the technical indicators with high accuracy requirements. Therefore, researching low-sidelobe or ultra-low-sidelobe array antennas is an important topic for antenna workers.

[0003] A lower sidelobe level can weaken the clutter influence and improve the anti-interference ability of the radar. Future radar systems all strive to be equipped with ultra-low-sidelobe antennas, which has promoted the development of ultra-low-sidelobe antenna technology. However, when the ultra-low-sidelobe antenna performs beam synthesis, due to the inconsistency of the phase and amplitude of the input signals of the array elements and the error of the array element positions, the useful components in the output signals of each array element cannot be accurately in-phase superimposed, affecting the performance of beam formation.

[0004] In order to increase the anti-reconnaissance ability of the radar system, it is required that the sidelobe of the system be as low as possible. In the process of designing a low-sidelobe antenna, the aperture amplitude-phase error has an important influence on the sidelobe level of the radiation pattern. The reasons for these errors are various, such as: the error of the antenna itself, the test error, etc. The test error can be further divided into: the influence of the cable, the influence of the instrument, the influence of the environment, etc. Therefore, during the test, the influence outside the external antenna itself should be avoided as much as possible, so as to obtain more reliable data and make a more accurate judgment. Therefore, the amplitude-phase test is particularly important.

[0005] Most of the existing technologies are about the amplitude-phase consistency test of T / R components in phased array radars, and the amplitude-phase test in the beamforming system of multi-beam antennas, etc. The technologies used in the early amplitude-phase tests include the reflectometer method, the slotted line method, and the bridge method. These amplitude-phase test systems are relatively simple, and the test sensitivity, test accuracy, dynamic range, and real-time performance of the measurement are poor. After the appearance of the network analyzer, the various indicators of the amplitude-phase test have been greatly improved.

[0006] However, the commonly used test devices at present must be in a near-field microwave anechoic chamber, which is not flexible and convenient enough, has high requirements for the test environment, and requires a relatively open microwave anechoic chamber.

[0007] Therefore, the technical problem that urgently needs to be solved at present is how to improve the amplitude-phase test device so that the test is convenient, fast and efficient, and is not restricted by the test environment and test space. Utility Model Content

[0008] The present utility model is made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide an improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device, which has a simple structure, is convenient to operate, has a fast test speed, high accuracy, and is not restricted by space during the test.

[0009] The present utility model provides an improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device for testing antenna elements, and has the following characteristics:

[0010] A tooling bracket for carrying the antenna element;

[0011] A transmitting device, including the transmitting end of a vector network analyzer, a radio frequency cable, and a transmitting antenna. The transmitting end of the vector network analyzer is used to generate signals of the test frequency, and the transmitting end of the vector network analyzer is connected to the radio frequency interface of the transmitting antenna through the radio frequency cable;

[0012] An installation test box, the transmitting antenna is arranged in the installation test box, and a slot is provided at the bottom of the installation test box, and the width of the slot is greater than the thickness of the antenna element; and

[0013] A receiving device, including the antenna element, the radio frequency cable of the receiving antenna, and the receiving end of the vector network analyzer. The installation test box and the transmitting antenna are both parallel to the antenna element, and the radio frequency interface of the antenna element is connected to the receiving end of the vector network analyzer through the radio frequency cable.

[0014] In the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device provided by the present utility model, it may also have the following characteristics: Among them, the antenna elements are arranged at intervals, the antenna elements to be measured are not restricted by type and structure, and are arranged in a straight line. A scanning bracket for hanging the installation test box is provided on one side of the tooling bracket, and a guide rail parallel to the arrangement direction of the antenna elements is provided at the bottom of the scanning bracket, and the scanning bracket moves along the bottom guide rail to drive the installation test box to move.

[0015] In the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device provided by the present utility model, it may also have the following characteristics: Among them, a connecting rod part is provided on one side of the scanning bracket, and a hanging bracket is provided on one side of the connecting rod part, and the bottom of the bracket is connected to the installation test box.

[0016] In the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device provided by the present utility model, it may further have the following features: Among them, an absorbing material is used inside the installation test box, and the slot of the installation test box is located at the bottom of the installation test box, capable of surrounding the outside of the antenna element, so that the absorbing material surrounds the transmitting antenna. Since the transmitting antenna needs to scan the antenna element within a certain distance during testing, at this time, the absorbing material simultaneously surrounds part of the antenna element and the transmitting antenna.

[0017] In the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device provided by the present utility model, it may further have the following features: Among them, the scanning bracket is movable along the guide rail, and a number of threaded holes are respectively provided on the double-row scanning brackets, and the connecting rod part is threadedly connected to the scanning bracket.

[0018] In the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device provided by the present utility model, it may further have the following features: Among them, the connecting rod part includes a connecting rod and a motor. The connecting rod is a telescopic connecting rod, and the motor is used to control the telescopic movement of the connecting rod, so that the slot of the installation test box cooperates with the antenna element.

[0019] In the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device provided by the present utility model, it may further have the following features: Among them, the tooling bracket uses aluminum as the material, and the table legs of the tooling bracket are of a telescopic structure, capable of adjusting the height of the tooling bracket.

[0020] In the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device provided by the present utility model, it may further have the following features: Among them, the tooling bracket is surrounded by an absorbing material wall. The absorbing material is a conical carbon-containing sponge absorbing material, and the height of the absorbing material wall is higher than that of the antenna element.

[0021] In the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device provided by the present utility model, it may further have the following features: Among them, the RF cable includes the RF cable of the transmitting antenna and the RF cable of the receiving antenna.

[0022] In the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device provided by the present utility model, it may further have the following features: Among them, the RF cable is a high-performance phase-stable RF cable with a large bending radius and a shielding layer.

[0023] Functions and effects of the utility model

[0024] According to the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device involved in the present utility model, the structure is simple. By setting a transmitting antenna in the installation test box and connecting it to a vector network analyzer, the amplitude-phase test of the antenna element is realized. This test method is not restricted by the space environment, and the designed test device can be carried out in a broad site, and there are no restrictions on the test environment and test space, which is different from the conventional near-field anechoic chamber amplitude-phase test. Description of the drawings

[0025] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device in the embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 It is a front view of the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device in the embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 3 It is a top view of the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device in the embodiment of the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 It is a side view of the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device in the embodiment of the present utility model; and

[0029] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the mounting bracket in the embodiment of the present utility model. Detailed implementation manners

[0030] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication with each other; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal communication of two components or the interaction relationship between two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific situations.

[0031] In order to make the technical means, creative features, achieved purposes, and effects realized by the present utility model easy to understand, the following embodiments will specifically describe the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device of the present utility model in conjunction with the drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device in the embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 2 It is a front view of the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device in the embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 3 It is a top view of the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device in the embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 4 It is a side view of the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device in the embodiment of the present utility model.

[0033] As Figures 1-4 shown, the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device 100 in this embodiment includes a tooling bracket 10, a transmitting device 20, an installation test box 30, a receiving device 40, and a vector network analyzer 50.

[0034] Among them, the tooling bracket 10 is used to carry the antenna element 41. The tooling bracket 10 is made of aluminum. The table legs are of a telescopic structure and can be used to adjust the height of the tooling bracket 10. Positioning marks are designed on the tooling bracket 10 for the installation of the antenna element 41.

[0035] The transmitting device 20 includes the transmitting end 51 of the vector network analyzer, the RF cable 21 of the transmitting antenna, and the transmitting antenna 22. The transmitting end 51 of the vector network analyzer is used to generate signals of the test frequency. The transmitting end 51 of the vector network analyzer is connected to the RF interface 23 of the transmitting antenna through the RF cable 21.

[0036] The RF cables include the RF cable 21 of the transmitting antenna and the RF cable 42 of the receiving antenna. The RF cables are high-performance RF cables with a large bending radius and a shielding layer, which reduce the influence of the RF cables on the field, reduce the transmission loss, and reduce the influence of the cable torsion during the measurement on the amplitude and phase of the measurement signal. The materials of the RF cables include copper and polyethylene.

[0037] The transmitting antenna 22 is arranged in the installation test box 30. A slot is opened at the bottom of the installation test box 30. The width of the slot is greater than the thickness of the antenna element 41 and can surround the outside of the antenna element 41, so that the absorbing material 80 surrounds the transmitting antenna 22. During the test, the transmitting antenna 22 needs to scan the antenna element 41 within a certain distance. At this time, the absorbing material 80 simultaneously surrounds a part of the antenna element 41 and the transmitting antenna 22, and the movement of the box will not interfere with the antenna element 41 under test at the receiving end. The absorbing material 80 is used in the installation test box 30.

[0038] The receiving device 40 includes the antenna element 41, the RF cable 42 of the receiving antenna, and the receiving end 52 of the vector network analyzer. The installation test box 30 and the transmitting antenna 22 are both parallel to the antenna element 41. The RF interface 43 of the antenna element is connected to the receiving end 52 of the vector network analyzer through the RF cable 42 of the receiving antenna.

[0039] The antenna elements 41 are arranged at intervals and in a straight line. The antenna elements 41 under test are not limited in type and structure. A scanning bracket 60 for mounting the installation test box 30 is provided on one side of the tooling bracket 10. A guide rail 70 parallel to the arrangement direction of the antenna elements 41 is provided at the bottom of the scanning bracket 60. The scanning bracket 60 moves along the bottom guide rail 70 to drive the installation test box 30 to move.

[0040] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the mounting bracket in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Such as Figures 1-5As shown in the figure, a connecting rod part 90 is provided on one side of the scanning bracket 60. A mounting bracket 91 is suspended on one side of the connecting rod part 90. The bottom of the mounting bracket 91 is connected to the installation test box 30. The connecting rod part 90 includes a connecting rod 92 and a motor 93. The connecting rod 92 is a telescopic connecting rod, and the motor 93 is used to control the telescopic movement of the connecting rod so that the slot of the installation test box 30 cooperates with the antenna element 41.

[0042] The scanning bracket 60 is a double-row bracket. A number of threaded holes are respectively provided on the double-row scanning bracket 60. The connecting rod part is threadedly connected to the scanning bracket 60.

[0043] The scanning bracket 60 is controlled by a control chassis, and the control chassis can be controlled by a computer. Therefore, the entire test process is controlled by a computer without manual mechanical movement, which greatly saves time, reduces the influence of human errors, and ensures the consistency of the amplitude-phase test of the antenna element to be measured.

[0044] The tooling bracket 10 is surrounded by an electromagnetic wave absorbing material wall. The electromagnetic wave absorbing material 80 is a conical carbon sponge electromagnetic wave absorbing material 80. The height of the electromagnetic wave absorbing material wall is higher than that of the antenna element 41, so as to be able to shield the interference of external clutter signals on the amplitude-phase test.

[0045] Usage method:

[0046] Before the test, first adjust the threaded fixing position of the connecting rod part 90 and the scanning bracket 60 to adjust the height of the installation test box 30, and then control the telescopic movement of the connecting part 90 through the motor 93 so that the position of the installation test box 30 cooperates with the position of the antenna element 41.

[0047] During the test, a signal of a test frequency is generated by the transmitting end of the vector network analyzer 50 and transmitted to the transmitting antenna 22 located in the installation test box 30 through the RF cable 21 of the transmitting antenna. The transmitting antenna 22 transmits the signal to the antenna element 41. The RF interface 43 of the antenna element 41 is transmitted to the receiving end 52 of the vector network analyzer through the RF cable 42 of the receiving antenna, and the final data is measured.

[0048] The amplitude-phase data obtained during the test process are the amplitude and phase data of n element units at the test frequency point. The test frequency point can be set as needed to facilitate data processing and analysis. The amplitude-phase test of the transmitting antenna 22 is controlled by the scanning bracket 60. There is no need to pause during the whole test process. After the transmitting antenna 22 scans all the antenna element units to be measured, the test data can be saved, which greatly improves the timeliness and accuracy of the test.

[0049] Functions and effects of the embodiment

[0050] According to the improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid testing device involved in the present utility model, the structure is simple. By arranging a transmitting antenna in the installation test box and connecting it to a vector network analyzer, the amplitude-phase testing of the antenna element is realized. This testing method is not restricted by the spatial environment. The designed testing device can be carried out in a broad site, and there are no restrictions on the testing environment and space, which is different from the conventional near-field anechoic chamber amplitude-phase testing.

[0051] The RF cable is a high-performance phase-stable RF cable with a large bending radius and a shielding layer. The materials of the RF cable are copper and polyethylene, which can effectively reduce the influence of the transmission cable on the field, reduce the transmission loss, and reduce the influence of the cable torsion during the measurement on the amplitude and phase of the measurement signal.

[0052] Absorbing materials are used inside the installation test box, which can better shield the interference of external clutter signals.

[0053] A slot is provided at the bottom of the installation test box, and the width is greater than the thickness of the antenna element. When the installation test box slides along the scanning bracket during the test, it can well avoid the antenna element and realize rapid testing.

[0054] Absorbing materials are provided on the periphery of the tooling bracket and inside the installation test box, which can well shield the interference of external clutter signals on the amplitude-phase test and improve the accuracy of the test results.

[0055] The connecting part on the scanning bracket is threadedly connected to the scanning bracket, so the height can be adjusted to adapt to tooling brackets of various heights.

[0056] Multiple antenna elements are arranged in a straight line, and the scanning bracket moves along the guide rail, which can continuously measure the amplitude and phase data of multiple antenna elements. During the whole test process, the transmitting antenna does not need to pause to control the amplitude-phase test. After the transmitting antenna scans all the antenna element units to be measured, the test data can be saved, which greatly improves the timeliness and accuracy of the test. At the same time, the test frequency points can be set according to needs, which is convenient for data processing and analysis.

[0057] The table legs of the tooling bracket are of a telescopic structure, which can adjust the height of the tooling bracket at any time and can also adapt to different terrains, making the applicable range of the testing device wider and not restricted by the terrain.

[0058] Those skilled in the art of this industry should understand that the present utility model is not restricted by the above-mentioned embodiments. What is described in the above-mentioned embodiments and the specification only illustrates the principle of the present utility model. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present utility model, the present utility model will have various changes and improvements, and these changes and improvements all fall within the scope of the present utility model claimed. The scope of protection claimed by the present utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device for testing antenna elements, characterized in that, Comprising: A tooling bracket for carrying the antenna element; A transmitting device, including a transmitting end of a vector network analyzer, a radio frequency cable, and a transmitting antenna. The transmitting end of the vector network analyzer is used to generate a signal of a test frequency, and the transmitting end of the vector network analyzer is connected to the radio frequency interface of the transmitting antenna through the radio frequency cable; An installation test box. The transmitting antenna is arranged in the installation test box. A slot is provided at the bottom of the installation test box, and the width of the slot is greater than the thickness of the antenna element; And A receiving device, including an antenna element, a radio frequency cable of the receiving antenna, and a receiving end of the vector network analyzer. The installation test box and the transmitting antenna are both parallel to the antenna element. The radio frequency interface of the antenna element is connected to the receiving end of the vector network analyzer through the radio frequency cable.

2. An improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Among them, The antenna elements are arranged at intervals. The antenna elements are not limited in type and structure and are arranged in a straight line. A scanning bracket for mounting the installation test box is provided on one side of the tooling bracket. A guide rail parallel to the arrangement direction of the antenna elements is provided at the bottom of the scanning bracket, and the scanning bracket moves along the bottom guide rail to drive the installation test box to move.

3. An improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device according to claim 2, characterized in that: Among them, A connecting rod part is provided on one side of the scanning bracket, and a mounting bracket is mounted on one side of the connecting rod part. The bottom of the mounting bracket is connected to the installation test box.

4. An improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device according to claim 3, characterized in that: Among them, Absorbing material is used inside the installation test box. The slot of the installation test box is located at the bottom of the installation test box and can surround the outside of the antenna element, so that the absorbing material surrounds the transmitting antenna and part of the antenna element.

5. An improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device according to claim 3, characterized in that: Among them, The scanning bracket can move along the guide rail. The scanning bracket is a double-row scanning bracket. A number of threaded holes are respectively provided on the double-row scanning bracket, and the connecting rod part is threadedly connected to the scanning bracket.

6. An improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device according to claim 3, characterized in that: Among them, The connecting rod part includes a connecting rod and a motor. The connecting rod is a telescopic connecting rod, and the motor is used to control the telescopic movement of the connecting rod so that the slot of the installation test box cooperates with the antenna element.

7. An improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Among them, The tooling bracket uses aluminum as the material, and the table legs of the tooling bracket are of a telescopic structure and can be used to adjust the height of the tooling bracket.

8. An improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Among them, The periphery of the tooling bracket is surrounded by an absorbing material wall. The absorbing material is a conical carbon-containing sponge absorbing material, and the height of the absorbing material wall is higher than that of the antenna element.

9. An improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid test device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Among them, The radio frequency cable includes the radio frequency cable of the transmitting antenna and the radio frequency cable of the receiving antenna.

10. An improved antenna element amplitude-phase rapid testing device according to claim 9, characterized in that: Among them, The RF cable is a high-performance phase-stable RF cable with a shielding layer.

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