Directional Antenna Boresight Alignment Using Reflected Light
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aligning a directional antenna with respect to a device under test is hindered by the difficulty in achieving required accuracy without a suitable marker for correct alignment.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a reflecting surface and a light beam is used to adjust the alignment of a directional antenna, where the light beam is transmitted to reflect along the beam axis to a device under test, with adjustments made based on the actual array position of the reflection at a light sensor, and the antenna's pose parameters are adjusted to align the beam at a desired location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a directional antenna is aligned without a suitable marker, then the alignment process becomes simpler, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to achieve required accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A light beam is introduced as an intermediary marker between the directional antenna and the device under test. The light beam reflects off a reflecting surface to create a visible alignment indicator that projects along the beam axis, enabling precise alignment without complex mechanical markers while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical alignment markers with an optical system consisting of a light source and reflecting surface. This substitution allows for more precise and flexible alignment indication while simplifying the physical structure of the alignment system
2Ease of manufacture
If the reflecting surface is positioned away from the beam axis, then the alignment calibration device can be inserted through the horn opening, but the light beam cannot properly reflect to the device under test
Solution Approach 1:
The reflecting surface is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned away from the beam axis during calibration device insertion and then moved to the correct position along the beam axis for proper light reflection. This dynamic positioning resolves the conflict between insertability and reflection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The reflecting surface is temporarily positioned away from the beam axis to facilitate the insertion of the calibration device through the horn opening. Once insertion is complete, the reflecting surface is moved to its operational position along the beam axis where it can properly reflect the light beam to the device under test
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
The method enables precise alignment of the directional antenna, allowing for accurate electromagnetic wave measurements by correcting for path loss and improving measurement fidelity.
Implementation Method 1
A light beam is transmitted from a light source to be incident on the reflecting surface, wherein the light beam reflects at the reflecting surface to project along the beam axis to a device under test
Implementation Method 2
receiving a reflection of the light beam from the device under test at the reflecting surface, directing the reflection via the reflecting surface to a light sensor and adjusting the alignment based on an actual array position of the reflection of the light beam at the light sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A testing system includes an antenna assembly having a directional antenna, the alignment of which can be adjusted with respect to a device under test. The directional antenna includes a horn having a housing having a side piece with an opening. A reflecting surface is movable through the opening from a first position away from a beam axis of the directional antenna to a second position along the beam axis. A light source is configured to transmit a light beam to be incident on the reflecting surface. The light beam reflects at the reflecting surface to project along the beam axis to the device under test. A mounting stage coupled to the directional antenna can be adjusted to align the directional antenna by placing the light beam at a desired location of the device under test.