Antenna Measurement Fixture

Abstract

This invention relates to an antenna measurement fixture, comprising: a base for providing a stable foundation for the antenna measurement fixture, having: a bottom screw hole for fixing the antenna measurement fixture to a measurement device; a central column extending vertically upward from the center of the base, having: a hollow cable groove for providing various cable winding methods; a bottom through hole for directly connecting the cable to the antenna; a top opening for securing the antenna and preventing measurement deviations caused by antenna movement or rotation; and an antenna platform for positioning the antenna, having: an antenna mounting column with a central mounting groove for securing the antenna. This invention provides improved antenna stability and cable management capabilities during millimeter-wave OTA testing, thereby obtaining more reliable and accurate measurement results.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention provides an antenna measurement fixture, particularly a high-frequency antenna measurement fixture for millimeter-wave aerial measurement, which improves positioning stability and cable management capabilities during measurement. [Previous Technology]

[0002] The demand for mobile networks has grown rapidly in recent years, prompting the widespread adoption of 5G mobile networks. With the expansion of 5G technology, the demand for verification and measurement technologies in the millimeter-wave band is increasing.

[0003] The accuracy of antenna characteristic assessment is crucial to ensuring the performance of wireless devices operating at millimeter-wave frequencies. However, when performing precision measurements at high frequencies, especially over-the-air (OTA) measurements at high frequencies, even small positioning deviations can lead to significant changes in test results. This usually requires specialized equipment and careful control of environmental factors.

[0004] In repeated millimeter-wave measurements, conventional techniques use non-metallic or low-dielectric-coefficient materials to fabricate temporary antenna fixtures and carriers, but these still lack good accuracy and stability. For example, a prior art antenna clamp, although possessing basic structures and functions such as sleeves, clamping blocks, and movable blocks, still has limitations in cable management and antenna fixation. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1]CN 207408445 U [Summary of the Invention]

[0006] [Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Accordingly, in order to obtain high-precision measurement results when performing measurements in a non-reflective chamber, the present invention provides an antenna measurement fixture, particularly a high-frequency antenna measurement fixture for millimeter-wave aerial measurements. Through a structure that improves positioning stability and cable management during measurement, measurement errors are reduced and the lifespan of the antenna measurement fixture is extended. [Technical Means]

[0007] Specifically, the present invention provides an antenna measurement fixture, comprising: a base for providing a stable foundation for the antenna measurement fixture, having: a plurality of bottom screw holes located on the periphery of the base for fixing the antenna measurement fixture to a measurement device; a central column located on the base and extending vertically upward from the center of the base, having: a hollow cable groove located inside the central column for providing various cable winding methods; a bottom through hole located on the lower end side of the central column for directly connecting the cable to the antenna; and a top opening located on the upper end side of the central column for securing the antenna and preventing measurement deviation caused by antenna movement or rotation; and an antenna platform located on the top of the central column for positioning the antenna, having: a plurality of antenna slot columns arranged in pairs facing each other, with a slot in the middle for securing the antenna to limit antenna movement.

[0008] Furthermore, the base further includes a slide rail located on the base and extending from the periphery of the base toward the center for mounting auxiliary equipment.

[0009] Furthermore, the base further includes a bottom protrusion area located below the bottom screw hole, which is used to facilitate wiring organization when positioning the antenna measurement fixture, and to protect and manage the cables of the antenna measurement fixture.

[0010] Furthermore, the central column further includes a side opening located on the side wall of the central column, providing an opening through which the cable passes when it is wound around the central column.

[0011] Furthermore, the side opening system is symmetrically configured.

[0012] Furthermore, the top opening has a square structure.

[0013] Furthermore, the antenna carrier column has a fixing antenna screw hole, and the antenna is fastened by using a screw or strap through the fixing antenna screw hole.

[0014] Furthermore, the antenna measurement fixture is made of a low-dielectric material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] By providing a plurality of bottom screw holes on the base of the antenna measurement fixture of the present invention, the fixture can be securely fixed to the measurement equipment, and auxiliary equipment can be further installed on the slide rail, thereby reducing interference factors such as vibration and electromagnetic waves caused by the external environment, which helps to improve the overall measurement accuracy and repeatability.

[0016] Furthermore, the antenna measurement fixture of the present invention further improves the wiring organization during positioning by providing a bottom protrusion area on the base, thereby reducing the possibility of instrument cable damage and increasing the reliability of measurement results.

[0017] Furthermore, the antenna measurement fixture of the present invention has a hollow wire groove in the central column, which can provide various cable winding methods, improve the cable management function of the fixture, reduce the possibility of instrument cables being damaged, and thus provide more reliable test results.

[0018] Furthermore, the central column system, by having a top opening, can prevent the antenna from moving or rotating during testing and reduce measurement deviations, thereby improving the consistency of high-frequency antenna characteristic evaluation results.

[0019] Furthermore, the central column system is further provided with side openings to provide an opening through which the cable passes when it is wrapped around the central column. By wrapping the cable around the central column, the excess cable will not affect the measurement environment, thereby improving the effect of wiring organization and reducing the impact of the measurement environment.

[0020] Furthermore, by providing multiple antenna mounting slots and fixing screw holes on the antenna platform, flexible antenna mounting options are provided, while securing and restricting the movement of the antenna and preventing the antenna from falling off during measurement.

[0021] Furthermore, all or part of the materials of the antenna measurement fixture of the present invention are low dielectric materials, which improves the performance of measurement in millimeter wave air and increases the signal penetration capability.

[0022] In summary, the antenna measurement fixture of the present invention can improve the stability of antenna fixation and cable management capabilities during millimeter-wave OTA testing, thereby obtaining better, more reliable and accurate measurement results.

Implementation Method

[0024] The antenna measurement fixture of the present invention will be described below by way of exemplary embodiments. It should be noted that the following exemplary embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an antenna measurement fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the antenna measurement fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention from the X-direction perspective; Figure 3 is an example diagram of the antenna measurement fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention in use; Figure 4 is an example diagram of the antenna measurement fixture of the present invention fixed in a vertical plane in use.

[0026] The antenna measurement fixture of the present invention is applicable to millimeter waves in the frequency range of 24 to 50 GHz. It has advantages over the prior art in terms of the stability of the support structure and the selection of materials, which can significantly improve the measurement accuracy and ensure the reliability and consistency of the test results. The specific technical features are described below.

[0027] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG1, the antenna measurement fixture of the present invention includes a base 1, a central column 2, and an antenna stage 3. The base 1 provides a stable base for the antenna measurement fixture and is in the shape of a circular plate. The base 1 includes a plurality of bottom screw holes 11 on its periphery for fixing the antenna measurement fixture to a measuring device such as a rotating stage according to the requirements of the measurement application, so that the antenna measurement fixture is, for example, perpendicular to the horizontal plane (standing upright), parallel to the horizontal plane (rotated 90° and fixed on a vertical plane, as shown in FIG4), or maintains the antenna at a certain specified angle.

[0028] The base 1 may further have a plurality of slide rails 12, which are configured to extend from the periphery of the base 1 towards the center for mounting measurement auxiliary equipment, such as radiation protection devices. The number and arrangement of the bottom screw holes 11 and slide rails 12 can be adjusted according to the application. In this embodiment, the base 1 has four bottom screw holes 11, one of which is provided along every 1 / 4 of the circumference of the base 1; the base 1 has four slide rails 12, one of which is provided along every 1 / 4 of the circumference of the base 1, and each slide rail 12 is disposed between two bottom screw holes 11.

[0029] Furthermore, the base 1 may further have a plurality of bottom raised wire areas 13, located below the bottom screw holes 11, to facilitate wiring organization when positioning the antenna measurement fixture. Especially when using long cables, after passing through the bottom raised wire area 13 with a vertical right-angle connector, the excessively long portion of the cable is first wrapped around the bottom raised wire area 13 to facilitate subsequent wiring inside the central column 2. Accordingly, the cables of the antenna measurement fixture are effectively managed during the measurement process, and the possibility of cable damage is reduced. In this embodiment, a bottom raised wire area 13 is provided below each bottom screw hole 11, but it can also be adjusted to be provided only below some of the bottom screw holes 11 depending on the application.

[0030] The central column 2 extends vertically upward from the center of the base 1 and is cylindrical in this embodiment. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the central column 2 has a hollow cable groove 21, a bottom through hole 22, and a top opening 23, which can provide various cable winding methods, improve the cable management function of the fixture, and reduce the possibility of instrument cables being damaged. For example, when using a shorter cable with a length similar to the height of the central column 2, the cable will enter the interior of the column through the bottom through hole 22, pass through the hollow cable groove 21, and exit through the top opening 23, so that it is directly connected to the antenna mounted on the antenna platform 3 along the center of the column.

[0031] The shape of the top opening 23 is not limited, but it is ideal to present a square structure to secure the antenna and prevent measurement deviation caused by antenna movement or rotation, so as to improve the accuracy of measurement results and thus improve the consistency of high-frequency antenna characteristic evaluation results.

[0032] Furthermore, the central column 2 may also have a side opening 24, located on the side wall of the column, providing an opening for the cable to pass through when it is wound around the central column 2. Specifically, when the cable is long, after passing through the bottom through hole 22, the cable first passes outward through the side opening 24 and is wound around the central column 2. When the cable is wound to an appropriate length, it enters the interior of the column again through the side opening 24, and finally passes out through the top opening 23 to directly connect to the antenna mounted on the antenna platform 3. In this embodiment, there are two equal-sized and symmetrically arranged side openings 24. However, the number, size, and arrangement of the side openings 24 are not limited, and their number, size, and arrangement can be appropriately changed according to the application during measurement.

[0033] The antenna platform 3 is located at the top of the central column 2 and is used to position the antenna to ensure its stability during measurement and to maintain it in the optimal measurement position. The antenna platform 3 has an antenna slot column 31 and an antenna fixing screw hole 32. In this embodiment, the antenna slot columns 31 are arranged in pairs facing each other in a square shape. Each pair of antenna slot columns 31 has a slot 33 in the middle to limit the possibility of the antenna moving or rotating due to cable inertia. In the center of each antenna slot column 31, there is an antenna fixing screw hole 32 for fixing the antenna. Screws or straps are used to pass through the antenna fixing screw hole 32 to fasten the antenna and prevent it from falling off.

[0034] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, a long screw is used to pass through the fixing antenna screw holes 32 of a pair of antenna carrier column 31 to secure the antenna. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4, by using a long screw to pass through the fixing antenna screw holes 32, the antenna can be prevented from falling off during measurement when the antenna measurement fixture is fixed to a vertical plane. The antenna carrier column 31 and the fixing antenna screw holes 32 can be configured according to the application scenario, thereby providing flexible antenna mounting options.

[0035] The shape and structure of the base 1, central column 2, antenna platform 3, and other components described in this embodiment are manufactured using 3D printing technology. Therefore, there are no limitations on the shape and structure, and various designs that enhance functionality and stability are possible. All or part of the materials used in the antenna measurement fixture of this invention can be low-dielectric materials, such as polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP) resins, to improve the performance of millimeter-wave airborne measurements and increase signal penetration. Furthermore, to avoid background interference that metal materials may cause during measurement, the screws used to fix the antenna measurement fixture of this invention to a horizontal or vertical plane are made of low-dielectric materials.

[0036] In summary, the present invention provides an antenna measurement fixture for millimeter-wave over-the-air (OTA) measurements. This fixture includes a base 1 providing a stable substrate, a plurality of bottom screw holes 11 for fixing the fixture to the measurement equipment, and a slide rail 12 for mounting auxiliary equipment. A central column 2 extending vertically upward from the center of the base 1 has a hollow cable groove 21, providing various cable winding methods to enhance the fixture's cable management function and reduce the possibility of cable damage. An antenna platform 3 located at the top of the central column 2 is used to position the antenna and has a slot 33 between a pair of antenna mounting columns 31 to restrict antenna movement or rotation. The antenna is secured with fixing screw holes 32 to prevent it from falling off during measurement and also provides flexible antenna mounting options. The antenna measurement fixture of the present invention can improve the stability and accuracy of millimeter-wave OTA testing, while providing cable management functions lacking in the prior art, ensuring the reliability and consistency of measurement results.

[0037] The above embodiments should be understood as illustrative examples of the present invention, intended to present the features of the present invention, but not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the forms of the disclosed technical concepts. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical applications of the present invention, and to enable those skilled in the art to understand the various embodiments of the present invention with various modifications suitable for the specific uses considered. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0023] [Figure 1] A perspective view of an antenna measurement fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A side view of the antenna measurement fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention from the X-direction perspective. [Figure 3] An example diagram of the antenna measurement fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention in use. [Figure 4] An example diagram of the antenna measurement fixture of the present invention fixed in a vertical plane in use.

Claims

1. An antenna measurement fixture, comprising: a base for providing a stable foundation for the antenna measurement fixture, having: a plurality of bottom screw holes located on the periphery of the base for fixing the antenna measurement fixture to a measurement device; a central column located on the base and extending vertically upward from the center of the base, having: a hollow cable channel located inside the central column for providing various cable winding methods; a bottom through hole located on the lower end side of the central column for directly connecting the cable to the antenna; and a top opening located on the upper end side of the central column for securing the antenna and preventing measurement deviation caused by antenna movement or rotation; and an antenna platform located on the top of the central column for positioning the antenna, having: a plurality of antenna slot columns arranged in pairs facing each other, with a slot in the middle for securing the antenna to limit antenna movement; The central column further includes a side opening located on the side wall of the central column, providing an opening through which a cable can pass when it is wound around the central column.

2. The antenna measurement fixture as described in claim 1, wherein, The base further includes a slide rail located on the base and extending from the periphery of the base toward the center for mounting auxiliary equipment.

3. The antenna measurement fixture as described in claim 1, wherein, The base further includes a bottom raised line area located below the bottom screw hole, which facilitates wiring organization when positioning the antenna measurement fixture and protects and manages the cables of the antenna measurement fixture.

4. The antenna measurement fixture as described in claim 1, wherein, The side openings are arranged symmetrically.

5. The antenna measurement fixture as described in claim 1, wherein, The top opening has a square structure.

6. The antenna measurement fixture as described in claim 1, wherein, The antenna carrier column has screw holes for fixing the antenna. Screws or straps are used to pass through the screw holes to secure the antenna.

7. The antenna measurement fixture as described in claim 1, wherein, The antenna measurement fixture is made of low-dielectric material.

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