Circularly polarized antenna testing device

Abstract

This utility model discloses a circularly polarized antenna testing device, including a three-axis moving mechanism, a motor, and a disc slip ring. The three-axis moving mechanism includes a Y-axis moving joint, a Z-axis moving joint, and an X-axis moving joint connected in sequence. A rotating fixed plate is rotatably mounted on the X-axis slider of the X-axis moving joint. The rotating fixed plate is rotatable around the Y-axis and has an antenna test plate for mounting a millimeter-wave signal measurement unit on it. The motor is located below the X-axis moving joint. The disc slip ring includes a fixed disk and a rotating disk that are in phase communication. The fixed disk is fixed relative to the motor, and the motor's output shaft passes through the fixed disk and connects to the rotating disk. The rotating disk has an antenna plate under test that is in communication with the disc slip ring, and the antenna plate under test is used to mount a millimeter-wave signal measurement unit. This circularly polarized antenna testing device has a simple and novel structure and can measure the bit error rate, RF parameters, and field pattern of the circularly polarized antenna under test, especially for testing near-field circularly polarized antennas.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of antenna testing equipment technology, and in particular to a circularly polarized antenna testing device. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of packaging technology and millimeter-wave technology, AiP technology (packaged antenna technology) and millimeter-wave near-field communication technology have gradually matured. However, most existing millimeter-wave antenna testing devices are generally designed for far-field testing scenarios. Moreover, these testing devices have problems such as large size, complex structure, and fixed testing distance, and are not suitable for near-field antenna and packaged integrated antenna product testing scenarios. Testing devices that can support near-field circularly polarized antenna testing are even rarer. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem solved by this utility model is to provide a simple circularly polarized antenna testing device that supports near-field circularly polarized antenna testing.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is: a circularly polarized antenna testing device, comprising:

[0005] The three-axis moving mechanism includes a Y-axis moving joint, a Z-axis moving joint and an X-axis moving joint connected in sequence. The X-axis moving joint has a rotating fixed plate rotatably mounted on the X-axis slider. The rotating fixed plate can rotate around the Y-axis. The rotating fixed plate is provided with an antenna test board for mounting a millimeter-wave signal measurement unit.

[0006] A motor, located below the X-axis sliding joint;

[0007] A disc slip ring includes a fixed disc and a turntable that are in phase communication. The fixed disc is fixed relative to the motor. The output shaft of the motor passes through the fixed disc and connects to the turntable. The turntable is provided with a test antenna plate that is in phase communication with the disc slip ring. The test antenna plate is used to install a millimeter-wave signal test unit.

[0008] In one embodiment, the top surface of the fixed disk has a plurality of metal rings arranged coaxially, and the bottom surface of the turntable is provided with metal springs that are in contact with and communicate with the metal rings.

[0009] In one embodiment, at least one of the metal rings corresponds to a plurality of metal springs that cooperate with it.

[0010] In one embodiment, the device further includes an MCU, which is electrically connected to the fixed disk, the antenna test board, and the motor.

[0011] In one embodiment, a host computer is also included, which is electrically connected to the MCU.

[0012] In one embodiment, a bit error rate tester is also included, which is electrically connected to the fixed disk and the antenna test board, respectively.

[0013] In one embodiment, the antenna test board is provided with a first PRBS generator and a second PRBS verifier, and the antenna board under test is provided with a first PRBS verifier that cooperates with the first PRBS generator and a second PRBS generator that cooperates with the second PRBS verifier.

[0014] In one embodiment, a vector network analyzer is also included, which is electrically connected to the antenna board under test and the antenna test board, respectively.

[0015] In one embodiment, the antenna board under test is either welded to or plugged into the turntable for electrical connection.

[0016] In one embodiment, the mounting plate is fixed to the housing of the motor.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This circularly polarized antenna testing device has a simple and novel structure. It is equipped with a disc slip ring and, together with a bit error rate meter (or PRBS generator and verifier), can monitor the bit error rate of the circularly polarized antenna under test during the entire rotation process. It is also equipped with a three-axis moving mechanism and a rotating fixed plate. Together with a vector network analyzer, it can measure the antenna radio frequency parameters and antenna field pattern, especially for testing near-field circularly polarized antennas. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the circularly polarized antenna testing device.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a partial area of ​​the circularly polarized antenna testing device.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the turntable in a circularly polarized antenna testing device;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixed disk in the circularly polarized antenna testing device;

[0023] Figure 5The system architecture of the circularly polarized antenna testing device in Example 1 Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 6 The system architecture of the circularly polarized antenna testing device in Example 1 Figure 2 ;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a system architecture diagram of the circularly polarized antenna testing device in Example 2.

[0026] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0027] 1. Three-axis moving mechanism; 11. Y-axis moving pair; 12. Z-axis moving pair; 13. X-axis moving pair; 131. X-axis slider;

[0028] 2. Rotate the fixing plate;

[0029] 3. Antenna test board; 31. First PRBS generator; 32. Second PRBS verifier;

[0030] 4. Motor; 41. Output shaft; 42. Flange; 43. Bracket;

[0031] 5. Disc slip ring; 51. Fixed disc; 52. Turntable; 53. Metal ring; 54. Metal spring;

[0032] 6. Antenna board under test; 61. First PRBS verifier; 62. Second PRBS generator;

[0033] 71. MCU; 72. Host computer;

[0034] 8. Bit error rate tester;

[0035] 9. Vector Network Analyzer;

[0036] 10. Millimeter-wave signal measurement unit; 20. Millimeter-wave signal under test unit. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The purpose, features, and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0039] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc., the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture as shown in the attached figure. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0040] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," such descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their 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 those features.

[0041] Furthermore, if the meaning of "and / or" appears throughout the text, it refers to three parallel solutions. For example, "and / or" includes solution 1, solution 2, and solution 3, which simultaneously satisfy the above conditions. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0042] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," 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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0043] Example 1

[0044] Please refer to Figures 1 to 6Embodiment 1 of this utility model is: a circularly polarized antenna testing device, including a three-axis moving mechanism 1, a motor 4, and a disc slip ring 5. The three-axis moving mechanism 1 includes a Y-axis moving joint 11, a Z-axis moving joint 12, and an X-axis moving joint 13 connected in sequence. A rotating fixing plate 2 is rotatably mounted on the X-axis slider 131 of the X-axis moving joint 13. An antenna test plate 3 for mounting a millimeter-wave signal measurement unit 10 is mounted on the rotating fixing plate 2. The millimeter-wave signal measurement unit 10 can be a circularly polarized transceiver antenna, a circularly polarized horn antenna, etc. The rotating fixing plate 2 is rotatable around the Y-axis and can rotate a certain angle around the Y-axis to determine the antenna position. The normal communication angle range; the motor 4 is located below the X-axis moving pair 13; the disc slip ring 5 includes a fixed disc 51 and a rotating disc 52 that are in phase communication, and power and signal are transmitted between the fixed disc 51 and the rotating disc 52. The fixed disc 51 is fixed relative to the motor 4, and the output shaft 41 of the motor 4 passes through the fixed disc 51 and connects to the rotating disc 52 to drive the rotating disc 52 to rotate. The rotating disc 52 is provided with a test antenna plate 6 that is in communication with the disc slip ring 5. The test antenna plate 6 is used to install a millimeter-wave signal test unit 20, which can be a near-field circularly polarized antenna, an integrated packaged antenna (AiP chip), etc. The test antenna plate 6 is welded to the rotating disc 52 for communication or plugged in for communication, thereby realizing signal and power transmission. Preferably, the test antenna plate 6 is welded to the rotating disc 52 for communication or plugged in for communication, so as to facilitate subsequent maintenance and replacement of the test antenna plate 6.

[0045] The motor 4 can be adjusted in speed or rotated at a fixed angle via an external control board, thereby simulating the application scenario of a circularly polarized antenna. By controlling the motor 4 to rotate at different angles, the antenna field pattern can be measured in conjunction with a circularly polarized horn antenna and a vector network analyzer 9.

[0046] The circularly polarized antenna testing device also includes an MCU 71 (microcontroller) and a host computer 72. The host computer 72 is electrically connected to the MCU 71, and the MCU 71 is electrically connected to the mounting plate 51, the antenna test board 3, and the motor 4. The host computer 72 can be a computer or the like. The MCU 71 controls the circularly polarized antenna test and reads back the results through the control interfaces on the mounting plate 51 and the antenna test board 3.

[0047] In one or more embodiments, the three-axis movement mechanism 1 further includes a Y-axis linear drive, a Z-axis linear drive, and an X-axis linear drive. The Y-axis linear drive is connected to a Y-axis slider to drive the Z-axis sliding pair 12 to move along the Y-axis. The Z-axis linear drive is connected to a Z-axis slider to drive the Z-axis sliding pair 13 to move along the Z-axis. The X-axis linear drive is connected to an X-axis slider 131 to drive the X-axis slider 131 to move along the X-axis. The Y-axis, Z-axis, and X-axis linear drives are electrically connected to an MCU 71 and are controlled by the MCU 71, thereby enabling fully automatic measurement of the parameters of the millimeter-wave signal test unit 20.

[0048] Specifically, the top surface of the fixed disk 51 has multiple coaxially arranged metal rings 53, and the bottom surface of the turntable 52 is provided with metal springs 54 that are in contact with and connected to the metal rings 53. The fixed disk 51 is provided with a power supply interface and a control signal interface. The signal received by the fixed disk 51 is transmitted to the turntable 52 through the metal springs 54, and then transmitted by the turntable 52 to the antenna board 6 under test.

[0049] To ensure reliable signal and electrical energy transmission between the fixed disk 51 and the turntable 52, and to extend the service life of each individual metal spring 54, at least one metal ring 53 corresponds to a plurality of mating metal springs 54, preferably each metal ring 53 corresponds to a plurality of mating metal springs 54. In some embodiments, each metal ring 53 has two mating metal springs 54, and the two metal springs 54 are located on both sides of the output shaft 41 of the motor 4 and are spaced 180° apart.

[0050] To ensure greater stability of the electrical connection between the fixed plate 51 and the turntable 52, in this embodiment, the fixed plate 51 is fixed to the housing of the motor 4, and the turntable 52 is provided with a flange 42 fixedly connected to the output shaft 41 of the motor 4. This fixes the distance between the fixed plate 51 and the turntable 52, thereby keeping the metal spring 54 under pressure. Specifically, the fixed plate 51 is fixed to the housing of the motor 4 by a bracket 43.

[0051] The following section will introduce the test device for circularly polarized antennas, focusing on testing the bit error rate.

[0052] In this embodiment, the circularly polarized antenna testing device further includes a bit error rate tester 8, which is electrically connected to the fixed disk 51 and the antenna test board 3 respectively.

[0053] The circularly polarized antenna under test / AiP chip under test (i.e., millimeter-wave signal test unit 20) is installed on the antenna board 6 under test;

[0054] The corresponding circularly polarized transceiver antenna (millimeter-wave signal measurement unit 10) is selected and installed on the antenna test board 3. With the bit error rate tester 8, the BERT test of the circularly polarized antenna / AiP chip under test can be realized. At this time, the motor 4 can rotate according to the application conditions (such as acceleration and deceleration, intermittent start and stop, forward and reverse rotation, etc.). The bit error rate tester 8 can monitor the bit error rate throughout the rotation process.

[0055] In addition, in practical applications, the AiP chip under test cannot be guaranteed to be perfectly horizontal during installation. Therefore, AiP chip manufacturers need to determine the maximum horizontal installation angle parameter for ensuring zero bit error transmission of the AiP chip. This maximum horizontal installation angle parameter can be measured by adjusting the rotation angle of the rotating fixing plate 2 and using the bit error rate meter 8.

[0056] When using an external bit error rate tester (BERT) 8 for BERT testing, the slip ring 5 may limit the BERT testing rate. Therefore, in some embodiments, the antenna test board 3 is equipped with a first PRBS generator 31 and a second PRBS verifier 32, and the antenna board under test 6 is equipped with a first PRBS verifier 61 that cooperates with the first PRBS generator 31 and a second PRBS generator 62 that cooperates with the second PRBS verifier 32. The integration of the first PRBS generator 31 and the second PRBS verifier 32 on the antenna test board 3 and the integration of the first PRBS verifier 61 and the second PRBS generator 62 on the antenna board under test effectively solves the problem of the slip ring 5 limiting the testing rate. In this case, the slip ring 5 is only used for the transmission of electrical power and control signals.

[0057] Example 2

[0058] Please refer to Figure 1-4 and Figure 7 The difference between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 lies in the application scenario. Specifically, the circularly polarized antenna testing device in this embodiment is used to test the radio frequency parameters and field pattern of a circularly polarized antenna.

[0059] In this embodiment, the circularly polarized antenna testing device further includes a vector network analyzer 9, which is electrically connected to the antenna board 6 under test and the antenna test board 3 respectively.

[0060] The circularly polarized antenna under test / AiP chip under test (i.e., millimeter-wave signal test unit 20) is installed on the antenna board 6 under test;

[0061] A circularly polarized horn antenna (millimeter-wave signal measurement unit 10) is selected to be installed on the antenna test board 3. With the vector network analyzer 9, the antenna RF parameters and antenna field pattern can be measured. At this time, the motor 4 will rotate according to the trigger signal and remain stationary until the relevant parameter measurement is completed. Then the rotation angle of the motor 4 is changed and the relevant measurement is performed again.

[0062] When conducting antenna field pattern testing, the rotating fixed plate 2 is rotated to different angles, and with the vector network analyzer 9, the radiation intensity of the antenna at different locations in the entire space can be tested, thereby determining whether the antenna field pattern meets the requirements.

[0063] The above are merely optional embodiments of this utility model and do not limit the patent scope of this utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the inventive concept of this utility model and the contents of this utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A circularly polarized antenna testing apparatus, characterized by: include The three-axis moving mechanism includes a Y-axis moving joint, a Z-axis moving joint and an X-axis moving joint connected in sequence. The X-axis moving joint has a rotating fixed plate rotatably mounted on the X-axis slider. The rotating fixed plate can rotate around the Y-axis. The rotating fixed plate is provided with an antenna test board for mounting a millimeter-wave signal measurement unit. A motor, located below the X-axis sliding joint; A disc slip ring includes a fixed disc and a turntable that are in phase communication. The fixed disc is fixed relative to the motor. The output shaft of the motor passes through the fixed disc and connects to the turntable. The turntable is provided with a test antenna plate that is in phase communication with the disc slip ring. The test antenna plate is used to install a millimeter-wave signal test unit.

2. The circularly polarized antenna testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The top surface of the fixed disk has multiple metal rings arranged coaxially, and the bottom surface of the turntable has metal springs that are in contact with and communicate with the metal rings.

3. The circularly polarized antenna testing apparatus of claim 2, wherein: At least one of the metal rings corresponds to a plurality of metal springs that cooperate with it.

4. The circularly polarized antenna testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: It also includes an MCU, which is electrically connected to the fixed disk, the antenna test board and the motor respectively.

5. The circularly polarized antenna testing apparatus of claim 4, wherein: It also includes a host computer, which is electrically connected to the MCU.

6. The circularly polarized antenna testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: It also includes a bit error rate tester, which is electrically connected to the fixed disk and the antenna test board respectively.

7. The circularly polarized antenna testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The antenna test board is equipped with a first PRBS generator and a second PRBS verifier. The antenna board under test is equipped with a first PRBS verifier that works in conjunction with the first PRBS generator and a second PRBS generator that works in conjunction with the second PRBS verifier.

8. The circularly polarized antenna testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: It also includes a vector network analyzer, which is electrically connected to the antenna board under test and the antenna test board, respectively.

9. The circularly polarized antenna testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The antenna board under test is either welded to or plugged into the turntable for electrical connection.

10. The circularly polarized antenna testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting plate is fixed to the housing of the motor.

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