RF unit calibration and group test system and method

Abstract

To provide a calibration and group testing system and method for RF units that can acquire calibration information in a specific excited state even in a situation in which phase information in measurement information on the RF unit is missing and only electric power or amplitude information is available.SOLUTION: The system of the present invention includes a control device, a signal source device, a test platform, and a measurement device. A plurality of times of measurements are performed between the test platform and the measurement device. For each measurement, a microwave signal source is converted into random microwave signals with N random amplitudes and phases, and the RF units on the test platform are stimulated to output the random microwave signals, which are superimposed to form a measurement signal. The measurement device converts measurement signals into measurement information. The control device solves the signal with respect to the measurement information, and performs iterative and convergent calculations on all solution results to obtain calibration information of the RF units in a specific state, thereby, performing the calibration.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a calibration system and method, and more particularly to a calibration and group test system and method for an RF unit that can obtain calibration information in a specific excitation state of an RF unit even in an extreme situation where the measurement information of the RF unit obtained by measurement lacks phase information and has only power or amplitude information. [Background technology]

[0002] High frequency wireless communication requires the use of an array antenna to increase gain and compensate for electromagnetic propagation loss. The active antenna unit is composed of an antenna and an RF transceiver module, and the active RF transceiver module adjusts its output amplitude and phase to excite the antenna and generate a radiation beam. If the measured antenna radiation pattern and the simulated antenna radiation pattern are inaccurate, errors and deviations may occur in the operation of the array antenna due to manufacturing errors and defects in the antenna, active RF module, and mechanism. Therefore, in order to obtain a good antenna radiation pattern, it is necessary to verify whether the antenna and RF module are working normally and correct errors caused by the antenna radiation pattern and the output of the RF module. In addition, problems caused by manufacturing defects in the antenna elements themselves (including RF transceivers and radiation modules such as millimeter wave antennas made of microstrip) may cause the antenna elements to fail or malfunction, especially causing the active transceiver module to malfunction, resulting in an inaccurate measured radiation pattern. This problem occurs particularly when the antenna element is an array antenna, which is composed of multiple array antenna units. For example, if a large number of antenna units are installed in an antenna-in-package (AiP), the failure or malfunction of one of the antenna units can cause the measured radiation pattern to be inaccurate.

[0003] In addition, the radiation beam of the phased array antenna is generated by a beam forming network (BFN), which includes active RF transceiver elements and phase shifters that excite the antenna array. As the frequency bands applied by the beam forming network tend to become higher and higher, the beam forming network is prone to phase errors that cause beam defects, and the phased array antenna needs to be corrected by a complicated process method, and this antenna calibration is realized by adjusting the amplitude and phase of the output of the RF transceiver. Therefore, in the invention patent document 1 (titled "Calibration method for phased array antenna") previously filed by the inventor, the far-field radiation data and the excitation data of the antenna unit are used to satisfy the Discrete Fourier Transformation Formula. In this way, the Discrete Fourier Transformation Formula corrects the antenna array so that the phase and amplitude of the co-polarized far-field radiation source are equal in the boresight direction, and the error-corrected phase and amplitude can be stored by the digital phase shifter as reference values ​​for beam scanning.

[0004] However, the invention of Patent Document 1 uses a vertical orthogonal signal and a discrete Fourier transform matrix as an example to correct the amplitude and phase errors of an antenna, but the calculation formula of such a method is complicated, and in particular, the measurement signal is not vertical orthogonal, and the necessary equipment must simultaneously measure the power (i.e., amplitude information) and phase of the electromagnetic field radiated by the antenna, and the equipment (e.g., vector network analyzer, etc.) is very expensive, which is a heavy burden on production. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain antenna phase error information and amplitude information using a relatively simple solution method and use it to prepare calibration information before signal verification, to check which antenna element is malfunctioning or broken, and to construct an amplitude and phase table for beam forming circuit excitation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Taiwan Patent Registration Publication No. I739181B Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In view of the problem of the realization cost of the prior art, the present invention aims to excite each antenna element with different random phase and amplitude signals to radiate electromagnetic waves, measure and analyze the radiated power with a power meter, perform iteration and convergence of the measurement results, obtain amplitude information and phase difference information of the antenna elements, and use them for subsequent antenna calibration. The present invention can also be applied to extreme measurement situations such as when the measurement information simultaneously has amplitude information and phase difference information for calibration solution, when the measurement signal is in a non-perpendicular orthogonal relationship and high-speed calibration is performed, or when only power information or amplitude information is used without phase information. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to the testing of group antenna package modules and group RF modules. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the objectives of the present invention, a calibration and group test system for RF units is provided, which includes a control device, a signal source device, a test platform and a measurement device, the control device is connected to the signal source device, the test platform and the measurement device, the control device provides control information to the signal source device and the test platform, the test platform is connected to the signal source device and the measurement device, the signal source device provides a microwave signal source to the test platform, the test platform is provided for arranging N RF units, and the test platform and the measurement device perform M measurements and measure the N RF units each time. The test platform converts a microwave signal source into N random microwave signals, and sends the N random microwave signals to N RF units and a control device, each of the N RF units respectively outputs one of the N random microwave signals, and all the output N random microwave signals are integrated into a set in a measured path to form a measurement signal, the measurement device receives the measurement signals of M measurements and generates M measurement information, the measurement device sends all the measurement information to the control device, and the control device solves the signal according to the M measurement information of M measurements and the M×N random microwave signals in the M measurements, and performs iterative and convergence operations on all the solution results to obtain calibration information in a specific state of the N RF units, which serves as a reference for calibrating the RF units.

[0008] Wherein, the RF unit is an antenna element, and the test platform includes a signal modulation device, a random control device, an RF control device, and N couplers. The control device connects to the signal modulation device and the random control device. The control device sends modulation information to the signal modulation device and sends a random control signal to the random control device. The signal source device connects to the RF control device, and outputs a corresponding microwave signal source to the RF control device according to the signal source information sent from the control device. The random control device connects to the RF control device, and generates and sends random phase and amplitude information to the RF control device according to the random control signal. The RF control device generates N RF signals with different phases and amplitudes according to the microwave signal source, the random phase and amplitude information, the signal modulation device emits N microwave modulated signals according to the modulation information, and the N couplers connect to the RF control device and the signal modulation device, and the N couplers respectively match the N RF signals and the N microwave modulated signals into N random microwave signals, so that each random microwave signal has a different phase and amplitude.

[0009] Here, the RF unit can be a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), an antenna-in-package, or an antenna element. The antenna element can be a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, a loop antenna, a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA), a patch antenna, a microstrip antenna, an array antenna, etc. Also, the antenna-in-package is composed of an RFIC and an antenna element.

[0010] Here, when the RF unit is an antenna element or an antenna-in-package, the excitation coefficient (e.g., amplitude, phase, and measurement direction) of the antenna element and the radiation relationship of the antenna element are expressed by the following equation.

[0011]

number

[0012] Where:

number

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number

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number

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[0013] Here, the RF unit is an RFIC, and when it is tested independently, there is no antenna element, so the measurement information formed on the measurement path of the RF unit is obtained by the power combiner of the RF circuit. At this time, if the above-mentioned radiated electromagnetic field is replaced with the current or voltage in the circuit, the form of this formula does not change.

[0014] Here, each RF unit is an antenna-in-package, and if an error or defect occurs in the antenna element, the change is

number

[0015]

number

[0016] Where:

number

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[0017]

number

[0018] Where:

number

number

number

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[0019] Here, we perform multiple iterative solutions to obtain convergence results, Sequential projection The SPM (Successive Projection Method) was used to calculate the vertical and orthogonal projections for each measurement. projection This method can obtain the solution with the shortest error distance. projectionThe solution obtained in is used as the initial excitation coefficient value for the solution of the next measurement information, and the next projection The iterative calculation of each solution is expressed by the following formula, where the mth measurement information is used to calculate the uth measurement information. projection Solve the following:

[0020]

number

[0021] Where:

number

number

number

number

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[0022] Here, after each iteration, the cost function

number

[0023]

number

[0024] In addition, the cost difference is calculated from the cost value calculation (

number

[0025] The definition of the convergence conditions includes the following: 1. Cost Difference

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[0026] Here, N is a positive integer, M is at least three times N, and the ranks of the M measurements are as close to N as possible. Effect of the Invention

[0027] According to the present invention, under the premise that no phase information is required, the amplitude information and phase difference information of each RF unit can be obtained by solving the signal using the measurement information and the random microwave signal, and performing iterative and convergent operations, which can be used to prepare calibration information before signal verification, and can be used to check which RF unit of an antenna element or a single RF unit has malfunctioned or broken. In addition, the fact that no phase information is required means that only one signal source device is required to measure one or more RF units, which can reduce the measurement cost. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates the system architecture of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates a test platform of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a flow chart of a method of the present invention. [Figure 4] 2 is a flow chart of the iteration and convergence of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a comparison of solution results of measurement and simulation in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing iteration and convergence in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a comparison of amplitude information between measurement and simulation in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 4 shows phase difference information obtained by measurement and simulation in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a comparison of solution results between measurement and simulation in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 illustrates iteration and convergence in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 13 shows amplitude information of measurements and simulations in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12]13 shows phase difference information obtained by measurement and simulation in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a comparison of solution results between measurement and simulation in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 illustrates iteration and convergence in a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 13 shows amplitude information of measurements and simulations in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 13 shows phase difference information obtained by measurement and simulation in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a comparison of solution results between measurement and simulation in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 illustrates iteration and convergence in a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 13 shows amplitude information of measurements and simulations in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] 13 illustrates phase difference information obtained by measurement and simulation in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a comparison of solution results of measurement and simulation in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 illustrates iteration and convergence in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] 13 shows amplitude information of measurements and simulations in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] 13 shows phase difference information obtained by measurement and simulation in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The embodiments of the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the relevant drawings. In the drawings and the specification, the same or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals whenever possible. In the drawings, shapes and thicknesses may be exaggerated for simplicity and convenience. Elements not specifically shown in the drawings or described in the specification may be interpreted as being in a form known to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications based on the contents of the present invention.

[0030] Referring to Fig. 1, the RF unit calibration and group test system of the present invention includes a control device 1, a signal source device 2, a test platform 3 and a measurement device 4. The control device 1 is connected to the signal source device 2, the test platform 3 and the measurement device 4. The control device 1 provides control information to the signal source device 2 and the test platform 3, the test platform 3 is connected to the signal source device 2, the signal source device 2 provides a microwave signal source to the test platform 3, the test platform 3 is provided for arranging N RF units 5, the test platform 3 performs M measurements, for each measurement, the test platform 3 converts the microwave signal source into N random microwave signals, the test platform 3 transmits the N random microwave signals to the N RF units 5 and the control device 1, each of the N RF units 5 receives one of the N random microwave signals, and the N RF units 5 output the random microwave signals received by each of them.

[0031] In one test, the random microwave signals output from the N RF units 5 are received by the measuring device 4, and the N random microwave signals are superimposed in the measurement environment to form one measurement signal, and the measuring device 4 obtains M measurement signals and generates M measurement information based on them, and the measuring device 4 transmits the M measurement information to the control device 1, and the control device 1 solves the signal based on the M measurement information obtained from the M measurements and the N random microwave signals obtained from the M measurements, and performs iterative and convergence operations on all the solution results to obtain the amplitude information and phase information in a specific excitation state of the N RF units 5, which serves as the reference standard for calibration.

[0032] In the present invention, each of the N RF units 5 can be an RFIC, an antenna-in-package, or an antenna element. The antenna element can be a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, a loop antenna, a planar inverted-F antenna, a patch antenna, a microstrip antenna, an array antenna, etc. Furthermore, the antenna-in-package is composed of an RFIC and an antenna element.

[0033] Here, if the N RF units 5 are N antenna-in-packages or N antenna elements, the N random microwave signals are radiated to the measurement environment by the N antenna-in-packages or N antenna elements, and the electromagnetic waves formed in the measurement environment naturally overlap to form a measurement signal. The N RF units 5 are RFICs, and group testing is performed on the RFICs. In this case, there is no antenna, and the RFIC uses an RF circuit to overlap with a power combiner to form one measurement signal.

[0034] It should be noted here that the present invention can measure one or more RF units 5 with one signal source device, and the test platform 3 is not limited to arranging the same RF unit 5. For example, even if two different RFICs and five patch antennas are arranged on the test platform 3, the antennas connected to the RFICs can be excited in the same way and radiate RF signals into the air, and during measurement, the two different RFICs and five patch antennas are regarded as the above-mentioned N RF units (or regarded as a virtual array antenna) to solve the problem, and each of them obtains appropriate measurement information, thereby obtaining amplitude information and phase difference information of each of the two RFICs and five patch antennas.

[0035] Furthermore, the present invention is derived from the concept of phased array, and can be applied to group testing and calibration of multiple antenna elements or multiple antenna-in-packages (Multiple AiPs), group testing of multiple RFICs, or group testing and calibration of a mixture of antenna elements, antenna array package modules, and RFICs. For example, when testing and calibrating multiple antenna elements or antenna array package modules, measurement information is obtained by measurement using an RF measuring instrument. When testing and calibrating multiple RFICs, array layout and connection are performed by the RF circuits of the RFICs, and the power combiner is used to combine the RFICs, and then measurement information is obtained by an RF measuring instrument, and the measurement information is used to test the output characteristics and reliability of the antenna elements, antenna package modules, or RF transceiver modules.

[0036] In other words, according to the present invention, it is possible to calibrate the parameters of an RF unit using only power information or amplitude information in the absence of phase information, and to simultaneously obtain the amplitude and phase difference of the radiation field without using expensive measuring equipment.

[0037] Referring to Fig. 2, the test platform 3 includes a signal modulation device 30, a random control device 32, an RF control device 34 and N couplers 36. The control device 1 connects to the signal modulation device 30 and the random control device 32. The control device 1 sends modulation information to the signal modulation device 30 and sends a random control signal to the random control device 32. The signal source device 2 connects to the RF control device 34 and outputs a corresponding microwave signal source to the RF control device 34 according to the signal source information sent by the control device 1. The random control device 32 connects to the RF control device 34 and generates random phase and amplitude information according to the random control signal and sends it to the RF control device 34. The RF control device 34 generates N RF signals with different phases and amplitudes according to the microwave signal source, the random phase and amplitude information, the signal modulation device 30 emits a microwave modulation signal according to the modulation information, and the N couplers 36 connect to the RF control device 34 and the signal modulation device 30 and aligns the N RF signals and the microwave modulation signals into a random microwave signal, so that each random microwave signal has a different phase and amplitude.

[0038] Furthermore, the RF control device 34 may be an RFIC, and includes a power divider 340 and N digital phase shifters 342. The power divider 340 distributes the microwave signal source to each digital phase shifter 342 at the same power level, and the N digital phase shifters 342 are connected to the random control device 32, and can generate N random phase information according to the N random control signals of the random control device 32, so that N RF signals with different phases are respectively emitted from each digital phase shifter 342. The signal modulation device 30 emits N microwave modulation signals according to the modulation information, and each coupler matches one of the N RF signals and one of the N microwave modulation signals into one random microwave signal, so that each random microwave signal has a different phase and amplitude.

[0039] In the present invention, the RF unit is exemplified by an active array antenna, and the relationship between each excitation coefficient (for example, amplitude, phase, and antenna unit position) of this RF unit and radiation is expressed as follows:

[0040]

number

[0041] In this equation (6),

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[0042] In the present invention, the RF unit is an RFIC, and when testing, there is no antenna element, and the RFIC is output by the circuit of the active RF module and acquired by the power combiner. In this case, if the above-mentioned radiated electromagnetic field is replaced by the current or voltage in the circuit, the form of this formula does not change.

[0043] If an error or malfunction occurs in each RF unit, the change is

number

[0044]

number

[0045] Here, the RF unit is an antenna element, and in this equation (7),

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[0046] To perform the correction procedure, first take one measurement

number

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[0047]

number

[0048] Where:

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[0049] Taking the maximum gain of the antenna as the reference, the parameters of the different output states of the active RF module in each RF unit can be corrected. Using the solution required for the Mth measurement information, multiple sets of measurement information that satisfy the above formula (Equation 8) can be obtained. When the M sets of measurement signals have a rank of N, these multiple sets of solutions can converge to one set of measurement information that satisfies all the measurement information.

[0050] In addition, the formula (6) can be simplified and expressed as follows. After removing the factor of the measurement distance r, it becomes a wave function. For the electric field components of the same polarity,

number

[0051]

number

[0052] Where:

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number

number

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[0053] In addition, the solution is solved multiple times using an iterative method to obtain convergence results. Sequential projection Using the method, the measurement information for each time is projection This method can obtain the solution with the shortest error distance. projection The solution obtained in is used as the initial excitation coefficient value for the solution of the next measurement information, and the next projection The iterative calculation of each solution is expressed by the following formula, where the mth measurement information is used to calculate the uth measurement information. projection Solve the following:

[0054]

number

[0055] Where:

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number

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[0056] In the present invention, after each iteration, the next cost function

number

[0057]

number

[0058] Where:

number

number

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[0059] Please refer to Figure 3. The calibration and group test method for RF units of the present invention includes the following steps. (S101) Set test parameters for the control device 1. The test parameters include the magnitude of the microwave signal source output by the test source device set by the control device 1, random phase information provided to the random control device 32, and a modulation method requiring a signal modulation device. The modulation methods include, for example, amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation (PM), and pulse modulation, digital modulation signals such as binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), as well as frequency hopping (FH) and direct sequence (DS) spread spectrum (SS) signals. When testing communication standards such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), and Bluetooth(tm), a required modulation signal can be generated using a modulation signal generation device. (S102) When the test platform 3 performs M tests, the following steps are executed for each test. (S1021) In each test, the test platform 3 converts the microwave signal source into N random microwave signals. (S1022) N random microwave signals are transmitted to the N RF units 5 and the control device 1. (S1023) Each of the N RF units 5 receives one of the N random microwave signals. (S1024) N RF units 5 each transmit a received random microwave signal. (S103) The measurement device 4 receives the random microwave signals emitted by the N RF units 5 of the test platform 3 in the M measurements, and generates M pieces of measurement information based on the M measurements. (S104) The measuring device 4 transmits M pieces of measurement information obtained by M measurements to the control device 1. (S105) The control device solves the signal based on M pieces of measurement information obtained by M measurements and N random microwave signals obtained by M measurements, and obtains amplitude information and phase difference information of the N RF units 5 by performing iterative and convergence calculations on all the solution results.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, in the present invention, the process of iterating and converging on the solution involves the following steps: (S201) Iterative and convergent calculations are performed according to the solution results, and the cost value is calculated using a cost function.

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[0061] According to the above, the definition of the convergence condition includes the following points: 1. Cost Difference

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[0062] In the present invention, M is greater than N, and M is preferably three times or more N. The ranks of the M measurements should be as large as possible to obtain favorable solution results.

[0063] In order to further understand the solution result, iteration and convergence situation, amplitude information and phase difference information of the present invention, five embodiments are taken as examples to describe below.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the number of RF units 5 is 32, the number of measurements is 96, and a 3-bit digital phase shifter is used. Please refer to Fig. 5 to Fig. 8. Fig. 5 shows the solution results of each simulation and measurement in terms of amplitude magnitude. Fig. 6 shows the calculated cost value and the number of iterations, and it can be seen that convergence is completed after about the 20th iteration. Fig. 7 shows the simulation and measured amplitude information of each RF unit 5, and Fig. 8 shows the simulation and measured phase difference information of each RF unit 5. It can be seen from Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 that the measured amplitude information and the simulated amplitude information, and the measured phase difference information and the simulated phase difference information tend to match, indicating that the amplitude information and phase difference information of the current iteration are accurate results.

[0065] In the second embodiment, the number of RF units 5 is 32, the number of measurements is 96, and a 6-bit digital phase shifter is used. Please refer to Fig. 9 to Fig. 12. Fig. 9 shows the solution results of each simulation and measurement in terms of amplitude magnitude. Fig. 10 shows the calculated cost value and the number of iterations, and it can be seen that convergence is completed after about the 30th iteration. Fig. 11 shows the simulation and measured amplitude information of each RF unit 5, and Fig. 12 shows the simulation and measured phase difference information of each RF unit 5. It can be seen from Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 that the measured amplitude information and the simulated amplitude information, and the measured phase difference information and the simulated phase difference information tend to match, indicating that the amplitude information and phase difference information of the current iteration are accurate results.

[0066] In the third embodiment, the number of RF units 5 is 32, the number of measurements is 96, and a 6-bit digital phase shifter is used. The phase error angle of the measuring device 4 is 3 degrees, and there is no other noise. Please refer to FIG. 13 to FIG. 16. FIG. 13 shows the solution results of each simulation and measurement in terms of the magnitude of the amplitude. FIG. 14 shows the calculated cost value and the number of iterations, and it can be seen that the convergence is completed after about the 35th iteration. FIG. 15 shows the simulation and measured amplitude information of each RF unit 5, and FIG. 16 shows the simulation and measured phase difference information of each RF unit 5. It can be seen from FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 that most of the measured amplitude information and the simulated amplitude information, and the measured phase difference information and the simulated phase difference information tend to match. Among them, the amplitude of the second RF unit 5 is close to 0, and the measured phase difference information and the simulated phase difference information do not match, which indicates that the second RF unit 5 is damaged.

[0067] In the fourth embodiment, the number of RF units 5 is 100, the number of measurements is 300, and a 3-bit digital phase shifter is used. The phase error angle of the measuring device 4 is 3 degrees, and there is no other noise. Please refer to FIG. 17 to FIG. 20. FIG. 17 shows the solution results of each simulation and measurement in terms of the magnitude of the amplitude. FIG. 18 shows the calculated cost value and the number of iterations, and it can be seen that convergence is completed after about the 30th iteration. FIG. 19 shows the simulation and measured amplitude information of each RF unit 5, and FIG. 20 shows the simulation and measured phase difference information of each RF unit 5. It can be seen from FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 that most of the measured amplitude information and the simulated amplitude information, and the measured phase difference information and the simulated phase difference information tend to match. Among them, the amplitude of the 70th RF unit 5 is close to 0, and the measured phase difference information and the simulated phase difference information match, indicating that the 70th RF unit 5 is damaged.

[0068] In the fifth embodiment, the number of RF units 5 is four, the number of measurements is twelve, and a 6-bit digital phase shifter is used. The phase error angle of the measuring device 4 is three degrees, and there is no other noise. Please refer to Figs. 21 to 24. Fig. 21 shows the solution results of each simulation and measurement in terms of amplitude. Fig. 22 shows the calculated cost value and the number of iterations, which is approximately 4 It can be seen that convergence is completed after the first iteration. Fig. 23 shows simulated and measured amplitude information for each RF unit 5, and Fig. 24 shows simulated and measured phase difference information for each RF unit 5. It can be seen from Figs. 23 and 24 that the measured amplitude information and the simulated amplitude information, and the measured phase difference information and the simulated phase difference information tend to match, indicating that the amplitude information and phase difference information of the current iteration are accurate results.

[0069] As described above, according to the present invention, on the premise that no phase information is required, a signal is solved using measurement information and a random microwave signal, and amplitude information and phase difference information of each RF unit 5 are obtained by performing iterative and convergent calculations on all solution results, and can be used to prepare calibration information before signal verification. The present invention has no limit to the number of RF units 5 that can be measured, and the measured amplitude information or phase difference information can be compared with the amplitude information or phase difference information of the original test, respectively, to select RF units 5 that may be damaged. In addition, a single signal source device 2 is sufficient to measure multiple antenna elements, antenna array elements, or antenna-in-packages, thereby reducing measurement costs.

[0070] The above description is merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, all simple substitutions and equivalent modifications based on the claims and the contents of the specification of the present invention are included within the scope of the claims of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Control device 2 Signal source device 3. Test Platform 30 Signal Modulation Device 32 Random Control Device 34 RF Control Device 340 power divider 342 Digital Phase Shifter 36 Coupler 4. Measuring Equipment 5 RF Unit S101~S105 Flowchart S201~S208 Flowchart

Claims

1. A control device, a signal source device, a test platform and a measurement device, The signal source device is connected to the control device, and the signal source device outputs a microwave signal source based on signal source information transmitted from the control device; The test platform is connected to the control device and the signal source device, and the test platform is provided for installing N RF (Radio Frequency) units, and the test platform performs M excitations on the N RF units, and for each excitation, the test platform converts the microwave signal source into N random microwave signals, and each of the N RF units respectively outputs one of the N random microwave signals, which are superimposed to form a measurement signal; The measurement device is connected to the control device, the measurement device receives the measurement signals M times to generate M pieces of measurement information, and the measurement device transmits the M pieces of measurement information to the control device; The control device performs signal solving based on the M pieces of measurement information of the M measurements and the N pieces of random microwave signals of the M measurements, and performs iterative and convergent operations on all the solving results to obtain amplitude information and phase difference information of the N RF units, where N and M are positive integers, N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and M is greater than N; and a calibration and group test system for RF units.

2. The test platform comprises a signal modulation device, a random control device, an RF control device, and N couplers; The signal modulation device is connected to the control device, the signal modulation device receives modulation information transmitted from the control device, and the signal modulation device transmits N microwave modulated signals based on the modulation information; The random control device is connected to the control device, and the random control device generates random phase and amplitude information based on a random control signal sent from the control device; The RF control device is connected to the signal source device and the random control device, the RF control device receives the microwave signal source emitted from the signal source device and also receives the random phase and amplitude information, and the RF control device generates N RF signals with different phases and amplitudes based on the microwave signal source and the random phase and amplitude information; the N couplers are connected to the RF control device and the signal modulation device, and the N couplers match the N RF signals and the N microwave modulation signals of different phases and amplitudes to the N random microwave signals, respectively, such that each of the random microwave signals has a different phase and amplitude; 2. The RF unit calibration and group test system of claim 1.

3. When the N RF units are antenna elements or antenna in package (AiP), each of the measurement information generated by the measurement device is expressed by the following formula: [0010] Where: [Number 1A] is the mth measurement information out of M measurements, 【Number 1B】 is the amplitude information in the m-th measurement information of M measurements, 【Number 1C】 is the random microwave signal of the nth RF unit at the mth time, [Math 1D] is the vector matrix constructed by [Number 1E] is the radiation characteristic of the n-th RF unit among the N RF units, [Number 1F] is independent of the excitation coefficients of the N RF units, and is related only to errors in the measurement orientation, radiation, and RF paths.

2. The RF unit calibration and group test system of claim 1.

4. The multiple excitation coefficients of each of the RF units in each of the measurement information measured by the measurement device and the radiation relationship of each of the RF units are expressed by the following equation: [0025] Where: 【Number 2A】 Each of the RF units 【Number 2B】 The radiation characteristics overlap at the position [Math 2C] are the n random microwave signals of the nth RF unit at the mth time, 【Number 2D】 is the amplitude of the plurality of excitation coefficients of the n-th RF unit, [Number 2E] is the phase of the plurality of excitation coefficients of the n-th RF unit, [Number 2F] are the measurement direction and distance, [Number 2G] is the initial state of the RF unit 【Number 2H】 is the radiated electromagnetic field at If an error or defect occurs in the RF unit, 【Number 2I】 changes, and the change is shown by replacing the contents of the brackets with the following equation: [0030] Where: 【Number 3A】 is the error in the RF path to which the RF unit belongs, 【Number 3B】 The parameters are changed and M measurements are taken. 【Number 3C】 from 【Count 3D】 Change to, 4. The RF unit calibration and group test system according to claim 3.

5. The control device obtains the solution using an iterative algorithm and a predetermined convergence condition, and uses a successive projection method (SPM) in the iterative algorithm to obtain a solution with the shortest error distance for the measurement information in each measurement using a vertical orthogonal projection method, that is, the solution obtained in the vertical projection of the previous measurement is used as an initial excitation coefficient value for solving the next measurement information to solve the next projection, and the iterative calculation of the solution result each time is expressed by the following equation, and the following equation uses the m-th measurement information to solve the u-th projection, [0045] Where: [Number 4A] teeth [Number 4B] is a vector representation of [Number 4C] 、 [Number 4D] is the number of iterations, [Number 4E] is the value or initial guess of the previous iteration, [Number 4F] teeth [Number 4G] is a vector representation of 【Number 4H】 teeth [Math 4I] The iterations are performed according to the order of the measurement information from different times.

5. The RF unit calibration and group test system according to claim 4.

6. After each iteration, the control device calculates a cost value using a cost function, the cost function being expressed as follows: [0050] Where: 【Number 5A】 is the cost function, 【Number 5B】 is a first calculation count, a cost difference is calculated from the cost value at each calculation and the cost value at the previous calculation, and the cost value, the cost difference, and the number of calculations of the cost difference or the cost value are used as the convergence condition.

6. The RF unit calibration and group test system according to claim 5.

7. 7. The RF unit calibration and group test system according to claim 6, wherein the convergence is completed when the cost difference is equal to or smaller than a predetermined cost difference in the convergence condition.

8. 8. The RF unit calibration and group test system of claim 7, wherein the convergence condition further includes: if the cost difference is greater than the predetermined cost difference, the value of the first calculation count is equal to or greater than a first predetermined count, and the cost value calculated at the current time is less than a predetermined cost value, the convergence is also deemed to be completed.

9. In the convergence condition, if the cost difference is greater than the predetermined cost difference, the value of the first calculation count is equal to or greater than the first predetermined count, the cost value calculated in the current calculation is greater than the predetermined cost value, and the value of the second calculation count U is greater than the second predetermined count, the convergence is also considered to be completed, and the second calculation count is set to a newly given initial estimate value. [Number 4E] 9. The RF unit calibration and group test system according to claim 8, wherein the second predetermined number is a positive integer.

10. 10. The RF unit calibration and group test system of claim 9, further comprising the steps of: providing a new initial estimate value, recalculating the cost value and the cost difference, and determining again whether the convergence condition of any one of claims 6 to 8 is satisfied, when the value of the first calculation count is smaller than the first predetermined count, or when the value of the second calculation count is equal to or smaller than the second predetermined count,

11. 2. A method for calibrating and testing an RF unit, which is applied to the RF unit calibration and group test system according to claim 1, comprising: setting test parameters of the control device so that the control device emits the signal source information; the signal source device outputs the microwave signal source based on the signal source information; the test platform performing M excitations; The measurement device receives the measurement signals generated by the M excitations, and generates M measurement information based on the M measurement signals; A step in which the measurement device transmits the M pieces of measurement information obtained by the M measurements to the control device; The control device performs signal solving based on the M pieces of measurement information obtained by M measurements and the M×N pieces of random microwave signals obtained by M measurements, and performs iterative and convergent calculations on all solution results to obtain the amplitude information and the phase difference information of the N RF units, The step of performing excitation each time the test platform comprises: converting said microwave signal source into said N random microwave signals; transmitting the N random microwave signals to the N RF units and to the controller; each of the N RF units receiving one of the N random microwave signals; The N RF units each excite and radiate the random microwave signal received by the N RF units, and the N random microwave signals are superimposed to form a measurement signal; Execute RF unit calibration and group test methods.

12. When the RF unit is an antenna element or an antenna in package, each of the measurement information generated by the measurement device is expressed by the following formula: [006] Where: [Number 6A] is the mth measurement information out of M measurements, [Number 6B] is the amplitude information in the m-th measurement information of M measurements, [Number 6C] is the n random microwave signals of the n antennas of the N RF units at the mth time, [Number 6D] is the vector matrix constructed by [Number 6E] is the radiation characteristic of the nth RF unit, [Number 6F] is independent of the excitation coefficients of the N RF units, and is related only to errors in the measurement orientation, radiation, and RF paths of the RF units.

12. The method of calibration and group testing of an RF unit according to claim 11.

13. The multiple excitation coefficients of each of the RF units in each of the measurement information generated by the measurement device and the radiation relationship of each of the RF units are expressed by the following equation: [0070] Where: 【Number 7A】 Each of the RF units 【Number 7B】 The radiation characteristics overlap at the position 【Number 7C】 is the random microwave signal of the nth RF unit of the N RF units at the mth time, 【Number 7D】 is the amplitude of the plurality of excitation coefficients of the n-th RF unit of the N RF units, 【Number 7E】 is the phase of the plurality of excitation coefficients of the n-th RF unit, [Number 7F] are the measurement direction and distance, [Number 7G] is the initial state of the RF unit 【Number 7H】 is the radiated electromagnetic field at If an error or malfunction occurs in the RF unit, [Number 7I] changes, and the change is shown by replacing the contents of the brackets with the following equation: [0080] Where: [Number 8A] is the error in the RF path to which the RF unit belongs, [Number 8B] The parameters are changed and M measurements are taken. [Number 8C] from 【Number 8D】 Change to, 13. A method for calibrating and group testing an RF unit according to claim 12.

14. The control device obtains the solution using an iterative algorithm and a predetermined convergence condition, and uses a successive projection method in the iterative algorithm to obtain a solution with the shortest error distance for the measurement information in each measurement using a vertical orthogonal projection method, that is, the solution obtained in the vertical projection of the previous measurement is used as an initial excitation coefficient value for solving the next measurement information to solve the next projection, and the iterative calculation of the solution result each time is expressed by the following equation, and the m-th measurement information is used to solve the u-th projection in the following equation: [0097] Where: 【Number 9A】 teeth [Number 9B] is a vector representation of [Number 9C] , u is the number of iterations, [Number 9D] is the value or initial guess of the previous iteration, [Number 9E] teeth [Number 9F] is a vector representation of [Number 9G] teeth [Number 9H] The iterations are performed according to the order of the measurement information from different times.

14. The method of calibration and group testing of an RF unit according to claim 13.

15. The step of the control device performing iteration and convergence according to the solution result includes: A. Calculating a cost value by a cost function using the solution result; B. calculating a cost difference between the cost values ​​of two adjacent solution results; C. determining whether the cost difference is less than or equal to a predetermined cost difference, the predetermined cost difference being part of the test parameters set by the controller; D. If the cost difference is equal to or less than a predetermined cost difference, then the convergence is completed; 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

16. The step of performing if the cost difference is greater than the predetermined cost difference is E. determining whether a value of a first calculation number is smaller than a first predetermined number, the first calculation number being a number of times the cost difference is accumulated, the first predetermined number being a part of the test parameters set by the control device, and the first predetermined number being a positive integer; F. if the value of the first calculation number is less than the first predetermined number, a new initial estimate is provided and processing is performed again according to step A and the subsequent steps; G. if the value of the first calculation number is equal to or greater than the first predetermined number, further determining whether the cost value calculated at this time is smaller than a predetermined cost value, the predetermined cost value being a part of the test parameters set by the control device, and the predetermined cost value being a positive number; H. if the value of the first calculation number is equal to or greater than the first predetermined number and the cost value calculated in the current calculation is less than the predetermined cost value, it is considered that convergence is completed; I. when the value of the first calculation number is equal to or greater than the first predetermined number and the cost value is greater than the predetermined cost value, further determining whether the value of the second calculation number is greater than a second predetermined number, the second calculation number being a number of times newly given initial estimates are accumulated, the value of the second predetermined number being a part of the test parameters set by the control device, and the value of the second predetermined number being a positive integer; J. if the value of the second number of calculations is greater than the second predetermined number, convergence is deemed to be complete; K. if the value of the second number of calculations is less than or equal to the second predetermined number, a new initial estimate is provided and processing is performed again according to step A and subsequent steps; 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

17. After each iteration, the control device calculates a cost value using a cost function, the cost function being expressed as follows: [0089] Where: [Number 10A] is the cost function, [Number 10B] is a first calculation count, a cost difference is calculated from the cost value at each calculation and the cost value at the previous calculation, and the cost value, the cost difference, and the number of calculations of the cost difference or the cost value are used as the convergence condition.

17. A method for calibrating and group testing an RF unit according to claim 16.

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