Antenna Array Measurement Quiet Zone Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current measurement systems face challenges in achieving accurate and cost-efficient measurements of devices under test, particularly with increasing signal frequencies, as they require a larger number of antenna elements to maintain a quiet zone, leading to increased complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
The method involves moving an antenna array and/or a device under test to establish different relative distances, combining measurement results from these positions using transfer functions to create a virtual quiet zone, effectively increasing the size of the quiet zone and measurement accuracy without adding physical antenna elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of antenna elements is increased to maintain quiet zone at higher frequencies, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the antenna array movable relative to the device under test. Instead of using a fixed, large-scale antenna array, the system performs measurements at multiple different positions and distances, then combines these measurements computationally to achieve the equivalent effect of a larger, more complex array without the associated cost and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static spatial arrangement to a dynamic multi-dimensional measurement approach. By measuring at multiple positions and distances (adding temporal and positional dimensions), the system reconstructs what would require a physically larger array through computational synthesis of measurements taken from different vantage points
2Area of stationary object
If the number of antenna elements is increased to enlarge the quiet zone, then the size of quiet zone is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic positioning of the antenna array at multiple locations to computationally synthesize a larger quiet zone. Rather than physically expanding the antenna array to cover a larger area, the method moves the array to different positions and combines measurements to create a virtual expanded quiet zone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the measurement process at multiple positions and distances. By taking measurements from different locations and computationally combining them, the system effectively creates a synthesized view that corresponds to having a larger physical array, without duplicating the physical hardware
3Measurement precision
If measurements are performed at multiple different relative distances, then quiet zone size and measurement accuracy are improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by performing measurements at multiple discrete positions and distances in a systematic sequence. Each measurement position contributes to the final synthesized result, and the periodic sampling at different locations enables computational reconstruction that improves accuracy despite the multiple measurement steps required
Data Source
AI summary
A method of performing a measurement of a device under test by using an antenna array. The method includes: providing an antenna array that includes several antenna elements; providing a device under test configured to communicate over-the-air; locating the device under test at a first test location, thereby establishing a first relative distance between the device under test and the antenna array; performing a first measurement over-the-air when the first relative distance is provided between the device under test and the antenna array, thereby obtaining first measurement results; moving the antenna array and/or the device under test, thereby establishing a second relative distance between the device under test and the antenna array; and performing a second measurement over-the-air when the second relative distance is provided between the device under test and the antenna array, thereby obtaining second measurement results, wherein a quiet zone is established, in which the device under test is located, and wherein the size of the quiet zone is derived from a combination of at least two transfer functions associated with the first measurement results and the second measurement results. Further, a measurement system is described.