Active Antenna Beam Scanning for OTA Test Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in testing Active Antenna Systems (AAS) for 5G wireless technology lies in the inefficiency of traditional Over The Air (OTA) testing methods, particularly at millimeter waves, where the large number of antenna configurations and high frequency range necessitate extensive measurement times and complex equipment setups, making it difficult to accurately assess radiated transmit power and unwanted emissions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the active antenna scans multiple directions during OTA testing, reducing the need for dense angular sampling and allowing for a more realistic testing of EUTs, thereby decreasing measurement time and equipment complexity while maintaining measurement uncertainty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional OTA testing methods are used with dense angular sampling, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the radiation pattern movable through beam scanning. Instead of using a fixed radiation pattern that requires dense angular sampling, the system dynamically scans the radiation pattern across multiple directions. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain measurement precision while reducing the number of fixed sampling points needed, thereby significantly reducing measurement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a beam scan across multiple directions before conducting the actual measurements. This preliminary scanning action identifies the spatial distribution of unwanted emissions, allowing the system to focus measurements on relevant directions only. This pre-positioning of the radiation pattern eliminates the need for exhaustive dense angular sampling during the measurement phase.
2Device complexity
If traditional OTA testing methods are used with fixed radiation pattern, then equipment setup is simplified, but the ability to detect directional emissions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static fixed radiation pattern to a dynamic scanned radiation pattern. The base station actively scans the radiation pattern in multiple directions during the test mode, enabling it to detect unwanted emissions from all relevant directions. This dynamic scanning capability maintains simple equipment setup while dramatically improving emission detection accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If beam scanning is implemented in test mode, then coverage of all beam configurations is improved, but test complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the test mode to handle multiple beam configurations through a single unified beam scanning mechanism. The same scanning hardware and control logic used for normal beamforming operations are repurposed to systematically test all beam configurations. This multi-functional approach ensures comprehensive beam configuration coverage without requiring separate specialized testing equipment or procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a communication node (103) for enabling OTA testing. The communication node (103) comprises at least one active antenna (310). The communication node (103) transmits a test signal OTA by emitting a radiation pattern from the active antenna (310). The active antenna (310) scans two or more directions when emitting the radiation pattern.