Dual antenna radiation test system
By using a dual-antenna system and automated control, the problems of low efficiency, large error, and high cost in traditional low-frequency radiated emission testing have been solved, achieving high efficiency, automation, and accuracy in low-frequency radiated emission testing.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MRT TECH SUZHOU CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
AI Technical Summary
Traditional low-frequency radiated emission testing requires manually rotating the antenna to switch polarization directions, resulting in low testing efficiency, long testing time, insufficient automation, errors introduced by manual operation, and high costs.
A dual-antenna system is adopted, including a first antenna for horizontal polarization radiation and a second antenna for vertical polarization radiation. The turntable, antenna tower and air pump drive system are controlled by an automated test software platform to realize the automatic raising and lowering, polarization rotation and automatic switching of the antenna polarization direction.
It improves testing efficiency, reduces errors and costs introduced by manual operation, ensures the accuracy and repeatability of test results, and achieves highly efficient automation of low-frequency radiated emission testing.
Smart Images
Figure CN224594757U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing technology, and in particular to a dual-antenna radiation testing system. Background Technology
[0002] Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) radiated emission testing is an indispensable and critical step in electronic product certification and quality control. Traditional low-frequency radiated emission testing (e.g., 30MHz-1GHz) typically uses a single low-frequency antenna for measurement. In this type of testing, to obtain the complete radiation characteristics of the device under test (DUT), both horizontal and vertical polarization modes must be measured separately. This means that testers need to frequently and manually rotate the antenna to switch polarization directions, while also adjusting the antenna's height and position. This repetitive manual operation is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, resulting in low testing efficiency, but also easily introduces measurement errors and uncertainties due to manual antenna rotation and parameter adjustments, affecting the accuracy and repeatability of test results. Furthermore, existing test software systems generally have a low degree of automation, making it difficult to achieve full automation from test configuration, execution, data acquisition and processing to report generation, leading to long testing cycles and high labor costs. Utility Model Content
[0003] To overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a dual-antenna radiation testing system that can improve testing efficiency, reduce costs, enhance testing accuracy and automation, so as to solve the technical problems of low testing efficiency, long testing time, insufficient automation, errors introduced by manual operation and high testing costs in existing radiated emission testing.
[0004] A dual-antenna radiation testing system according to this utility model includes: The turntable, located inside the shielded box, is used to hold the device under test. The first antenna is used to test horizontally polarized radiation in the low-frequency band. The second antenna is used to test the vertically polarized radiation in the low-frequency band. Antenna tower, used to support the first antenna and the second antenna, and capable of adjusting the height and polarization direction of the first antenna and the second antenna, the first antenna and the second antenna being symmetrically arranged on both sides of the device under test; An air pump drive system, connected to the antenna tower, is used to drive the antenna tower to achieve automatic raising, lowering, and polarization rotation of the first and second antennas; and An automated testing software platform is electrically connected to the turntable, the antenna tower, and the air pump drive system, respectively, and is used to control the rotation of the turntable, the height adjustment of the antenna tower, the rotation of the polarization direction, and the automatic switching between the first antenna and the second antenna.
[0005] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the antenna tower is provided with two sets, and the first antenna and the second antenna are respectively installed on the corresponding antenna tower.
[0006] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, both the first antenna and the second antenna are low-frequency test antennas, and their operating frequency bands are both 30MHz to 1GHz.
[0007] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the height adjustment range of the antenna tower is 1 to 4 meters.
[0008] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the antenna tower is an antenna tower of model MA4649-XP-ET, the air pump drive system is an air pump system of model MW1490-2, and the automated test software platform is an automated test software platform of model CONTROLLER CO3000.
[0009] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the automated testing software platform is an automated testing software platform developed based on E3 testing software and integrating an automated control module.
[0010] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the automated control module is used to realize the automatic switching of the first antenna and the second antenna, the automatic adjustment of the height of the antenna tower and the automatic rotation of the polarization direction, and the automatic rotation of the turntable.
[0011] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the automated testing software platform is a host computer with automatic test data acquisition, processing, and report generation functions.
[0012] The beneficial effects of this utility model are: In this invention, the first and second antennas are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the device under test, and automatic switching between the two antennas is achieved through an automated testing software platform. In addition, two sets of antenna towers are provided, each housing and driving the corresponding first and second antennas. This scheme of separate and adjustable dual antennas avoids the tedious steps and waiting time of manually changing antennas of different frequency bands in traditional testing. Simultaneously, driven by an air pump drive system, the two sets of antenna towers can independently or synchronously achieve precise and repeatable automatic raising, lowering, and rotating of the antenna height and polarization direction. Combined with the automatic rotation of the turntable, all measurement parameters (frequency band, height, polarization, azimuth angle) can be automatically adjusted. The combination of these automated features significantly shortens the overall testing cycle of radiated emissions and greatly improves testing efficiency.
[0013] The highly automated system in this invention significantly reduces reliance on manual operation during testing, lowering the hidden costs associated with time-consuming and potentially error-prone manual processes. Faster test turnaround times also mean higher utilization of testing equipment, effectively reducing overall operating and testing costs.
[0014] This invention utilizes an air pump drive system to achieve precise and repeatable adjustment of antenna height and polarization direction. An automated testing software platform provides unified, programmed control over all hardware (the turntable inside the shielded enclosure, the two antenna towers, and the air pump drive system). Furthermore, the testing environment is within the shielded enclosure. This setup eliminates human error and uncertainty that may be introduced by traditional manual operation, such as deviations in antenna position, height, and polarization angle. Testing within the shielded enclosure effectively isolates external electromagnetic interference, ensuring a pure testing environment. Through program control, the conditions for each test are strictly consistent, guaranteeing a high degree of repeatability and consistency in the testing process, thereby making the test results more accurate and reliable. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the dual-antenna radiation testing system of this utility model. Figure 2 This is an example diagram of the settings interface of the automated testing software in this utility model. Detailed Implementation
[0016] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this utility model, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0017] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0018] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.
[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, the dual-antenna radiation testing system of this utility model mainly consists of a hardware subsystem and an automated testing software platform, and its testing environment is set inside a shielded box (or anechoic chamber).
[0020] The shielded enclosure provides a controlled testing environment that isolates external electromagnetic interference, ensuring the accuracy of measurement results and meeting the requirements of relevant EMC standards (such as CISPR) for the testing environment.
[0021] The turntable, housed within a shielded enclosure, is used to place the device under test (DUT). Controlled by an automated testing software platform, the turntable rotates from 0 to 360 degrees to perform radiated emission testing on the DUT in all directions.
[0022] First antenna and second antenna: symmetrically arranged on both sides of the device under test.
[0023] The first antenna is used to test horizontally polarized radiation in the low-frequency band. For example, a horizontally polarized broadband biconical antenna or a log-periodic antenna with an operating frequency band of 30MHz to 1GHz can be selected to ensure good reception performance throughout the low-frequency band.
[0024] The second antenna is used to test vertically polarized radiation in the low-frequency band. For example, a vertically polarized broadband biconical antenna or a log-periodic antenna with an operating frequency band of 30MHz to 1GHz can be selected to complement the first antenna and cover another orthogonal polarization direction.
[0025] The antenna tower has two sets. The first antenna and the second antenna are respectively mounted on their respective antenna towers. Each antenna tower has an independent lifting and polarization adjustment mechanism, capable of independently achieving automatic height adjustment from 1 to 4 meters. Although the two antennas have their own preset polarizations, the antenna tower itself may still have polarization rotation capabilities for fine-tuning under special circumstances or adapting to other test requirements, thereby supporting comprehensive testing of both horizontal and vertical polarization. This dual-antenna, dual-tower configuration allows the two antennas with different preset polarizations to perform precise height adjustments independently or synchronously, and to quickly complete horizontal or vertical polarization measurements during testing by switching the receiving antenna via software, greatly improving testing efficiency. In this embodiment, the antenna tower model is MA4649-XP-ET. Using this model of antenna tower can realize the movement of the antenna corresponding to its function. Since the structure for realizing the function of this antenna tower is existing technology, it will not be described in detail here.
[0026] The antenna tower is driven by a pneumatic system that connects to the tower's lifting and (possibly auxiliary) rotation mechanisms. Under the instructions of the automated testing software platform, the system precisely controls the tower's lifting, polarization, and rotation, replacing traditional manual operation and ensuring smooth, accurate, and safe movement.
[0027] In a further embodiment, a signal receiving and processing unit is also included, which is connected to the first antenna and the second antenna respectively, for receiving radiated signals. This unit typically includes components such as a radio frequency switch (for automatically switching the receiving channel between the first antenna and the second antenna), a low-noise amplifier, a mixer, an intermediate frequency filter, and a demodulator, which digitize the acquired analog signals and transmit them to an automated test software platform.
[0028] A further embodiment also includes an automated testing software platform, which is a host computer developed based on E3 testing software and integrates a dedicated automated control module. This module communicates and controls various components of the hardware subsystem (turntable, two sets of antenna towers and their air pump drive system, signal receiving and processing unit) through standard communication interfaces (such as GPIB, USB, Ethernet, RS232 / 485, etc.).
[0029] The automated testing software platform is used to precisely control the rotation angle (e.g., in 15-degree or 30-degree steps) and speed of the turntable, ensuring that the device under test is tested at different angles.
[0030] According to the preset test plan, the automatic lifting and lowering of the two sets of antenna towers (e.g., scanning a height range of 1 to 4 meters in 20cm steps) and the polarization direction (if fine-tuning or auxiliary switching is required) are controlled to adjust automatically.
[0031] Based on the polarization direction that needs to be measured, the system automatically selects to use either the first antenna (horizontal polarization) or the second antenna (vertical polarization) by controlling the radio frequency switch inside the signal receiving and processing unit, without the need for manual intervention.
[0032] In this embodiment, the automated movement of the two antenna towers is achieved by controlling the air pump drive system to ensure precise positioning. In this embodiment, the pneumatic equipment is model MW1490-2. Since the structure that realizes this drive function is existing technology, it will not be described in detail here.
[0033] This automated testing software platform allows users to set detailed test parameters through a graphical interface, including start / end frequency (e.g., 30MHz-1GHz), step frequency, antenna height scan range, polarization direction (achieved through antenna selection), turntable rotation angle, measurement bandwidth, dwell time, etc., and automatically executes the entire test sequence based on these parameters.
[0034] The automated testing software platform acquires radiation data transmitted from the signal receiving and processing unit in real time, performs necessary calibrations (such as antenna factor and cable loss), filtering, spectrum analysis, and calculations to obtain accurate radiated emission results. The platform also supports operations such as limit line comparison and correction of the data.
[0035] The automated testing software platform displays test results intuitively in the form of charts (such as spectrum diagrams, radiation patterns, and polarization diagrams) and lists. It supports various data processing and analysis functions, such as peak detection, quasi-peak detection, and average value detection. The platform is a host computer with automatic test data acquisition, processing, and report generation capabilities. Based on test results and preset templates, it can automatically generate standardized and formatted test reports that conform to testing standards (such as CISPR and FCC), greatly improving the efficiency and accuracy of report writing. In this embodiment, the automated testing software platform model can be CONTROLLER CO3000.
[0036] Workflow: Place the device under test (DUT) on the turntable inside the shielded enclosure and connect the necessary power and signal cables. Set the test parameters on the automated test software platform (host computer), including the test frequency range (e.g., 30MHz-1GHz), antenna height scanning range (e.g., 1~4 meters), polarization direction (horizontal / vertical, selected by antenna), turntable rotation angle, measurement bandwidth, etc.
[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the test is initiated through an automated test software platform (host computer). The platform first controls two antenna towers to move the first and second antennas to preset starting heights. The system then begins horizontal polarization testing: the first antenna (horizontal polarization) is automatically selected via a controlled RF switch. In horizontal polarization test mode, the system controls the turntable to rotate in set angular steps. At each angle, the first antenna tower automatically scans a preset height range. At each test point (specific frequency, height, angle), the signal receiving and processing unit collects radiated signal data and transmits it to the software platform. The software platform processes, records, and displays the collected data in real time. After the horizontal polarization test is completed, the system automatically switches to vertical polarization testing: the second antenna (vertical polarization) is automatically selected via a controlled RF switch, and the above steps are repeated to complete the vertical polarization test. The test ends when all preset tests are completed (including different angles, heights, and polarization directions). The software platform automatically organizes all data and generates a test report that conforms to testing standards (such as CISPR, FCC, etc.).
[0038] Through the above structure and workflow, the dual-antenna radiation testing system of this utility model can achieve a high degree of automation, high efficiency and high precision in low-frequency radiated emission testing, effectively solving many problems caused by the cumbersome polarization switching in the prior art.
[0039] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of this utility model. Their purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this utility model and implement it. They cannot be used to limit the protection scope of this utility model. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of this utility model should be covered within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A dual antenna radiation test system, characterized by, include: The turntable, located inside the shielded box, is used to hold the device under test. The first antenna is used to test horizontally polarized radiation in the low-frequency band. The second antenna is used to test the vertically polarized radiation in the low-frequency band. An antenna tower is used to support the first antenna and the second antenna and to adjust the height and polarization direction of the first antenna and the second antenna. The first antenna and the second antenna are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the device under test. An air pump drive system, connected to the antenna tower, is used to drive the antenna tower to achieve automatic lifting and polarization rotation of the first antenna and the second antenna; as well as An automated testing software platform is electrically connected to the turntable, the antenna tower, and the air pump drive system, respectively, and is used to control the rotation of the turntable, the height adjustment of the antenna tower, the rotation of the polarization direction, and the automatic switching between the first antenna and the second antenna.
2. The dual antenna radiation test system of claim 1, wherein, The antenna tower has two sets, with the first antenna and the second antenna respectively installed on the corresponding antenna tower.
3. The dual antenna radiation test system of claim 2, wherein, Both the first antenna and the second antenna are low-frequency test antennas, with their operating frequency bands ranging from 30MHz to 1GHz.
4. The dual antenna radiation test system of claim 1, wherein, The height of the antenna tower can be adjusted from 1 to 4 meters.
5. The dual antenna radiation test system of claim 1, wherein, The antenna tower is model MA4649-XP-ET, the air pump drive system is model MW1490-2, and the automated test software platform is model CONTROLLER CO3000.
6. The dual antenna radiation test system of claim 1, wherein, The automated testing software platform is an automated testing software platform developed based on E3 testing software and integrating an automated control module.
7. The dual antenna radiation test system of claim 6, wherein, The automated control module is used to realize the automatic switching between the first antenna and the second antenna, the automatic adjustment of the height of the antenna tower, the automatic rotation of the polarization direction, and the automatic rotation of the turntable.
8. The dual antenna radiation test system of claim 6, wherein, The automated testing software platform is a host computer with automatic test data acquisition, processing, and report generation functions.