Active Antenna System Test Cover Near-Field Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The traditional testing methods for active antenna systems require additional coupling interfaces, leading to increased design complexity, unnecessary losses, and difficulties in unified testing authentication, while Over The Air (OTA) tests face challenges with environmental requirements and efficiency issues, making it hard to directly measure radio frequency parameters effectively.
Innovation Solution
A near-field coupling mode testing method using a test cover with an antenna array, amplitude-phase controller, feed network, combiner, and wave-absorbing material to calibrate and measure radio frequency parameters without adding extra interfaces, allowing for direct and efficient testing of active antenna systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the traditional conduction test method is used for active antenna systems, then the radio frequency parameter test can be performed, but additional coupling interfaces need to be added which increases design complexity and causes unnecessary losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the additional coupling interface from the test system by using near-field coupling mode. The test cover directly couples with the active antenna system through near-field electromagnetic coupling, eliminating the need for extra coupling interfaces and passive components that were required in traditional conduction test methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a test cover as an intermediary device that enables near-field coupling between the test instrument and the active antenna system. This intermediary allows direct measurement without additional coupling interfaces, solving the contradiction between measurement capability and system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the traditional conduction test method is used for active antenna systems, then the radio frequency parameter test can be performed, but unnecessary losses are introduced through passive components and coupling interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes unnecessary passive components and coupling interfaces from the test path. By using near-field coupling mode through the test cover, the system eliminates the radio frequency cables, attenuation pads, and combiners that introduced signal losses in traditional conduction test methods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the Over The Air (OTA) test method is used for active antenna systems, then the overall system including spatial characteristics can be tested, but environmental requirements and external interference increase testing cost and reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a test cover as an intermediary that enables conduction-style testing without requiring the complex coupling interfaces of traditional methods. This intermediary device allows testing to be performed in a controlled environment without the stringent environmental requirements of OTA testing, thereby improving testing efficiency while maintaining system-level measurement capability.
4Measurement precision
If the traditional conduction test method is used for active antenna systems, then radio frequency parameter test can be performed, but unified test authentication and specification become difficult due to differences among coupling modes of various manufacturers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal test cover design that can interface with different active antenna systems through near-field coupling. The test cover serves multiple functions: it provides a standardized interface for testing, supports different coupling modes, and enables unified test authentication across various manufacturers' products, thereby improving adaptability and universality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables direct measurement of radio frequency parameters in active antenna systems, reducing testing complexity, cost, and efficiency issues, while ensuring accurate and unified testing across different products.
Implementation Method 1
through the near-field coupling mode, testing a radio frequency parameter is performed on the active antenna system
Implementation Method 2
wave-absorbing material to calibrate and measure radio frequency parameters
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A method and apparatus for testing a radio frequency index of an active antenna system are provided. In the method, a tested active antenna system is placed in a test cover for performing radio frequency index testing, wherein, the test cover includes an antenna array part and a passive network part, and the antenna array part and the antenna feeder part of the tested active antenna system are the same. The method for testing includes: monomer calibration of the test cover; near-field coupling calibration; and radio frequency index testing. With the above-mentioned method and apparatus for testing the radio frequency index of the active antenna system, the radio frequency index of the active antenna system can be directly and effectively measured without need of adding an extra test interface.