Array Antenna TRP Measurement Using Rayleigh Resolution Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional TRP measurement methods for millimeter wave massive-MIMO array antennas in 5G base stations suffer from large measurement errors and low efficiency due to the use of 15° angle stepping grids, which do not accurately reflect the radiated power and require excessive sampling points.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that uses uniform and non-uniform sampling schemes, including a uniform sampling scheme in the angle space and a non-uniform sampling scheme in the normalized wave vector space, to reduce measurement errors and improve efficiency by setting stepping grid spacings based on Rayleigh resolutions or first null beamwidths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional 15° angle stepping grids are used for TRP measurement, then the measurement process is simple and fast, but the measurement precision deteriorates with large errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidTRP measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the sampling parameters from fixed 15° grids to adaptive sampling based on Rayleigh resolutions and first null beamwidths. By calculating the actual beamwidth characteristics of the antenna array and determining optimal sampling intervals accordingly, the system achieves both accuracy and efficiency without requiring excessive sampling points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic sampling adjustment where the sampling grid is not fixed but adapts to the specific antenna array characteristics. The system dynamically determines sampling intervals based on the array's geometric configuration and operating frequency, allowing optimal measurement settings for each specific case

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If 15° angle stepping grids are used, then the measurement process is straightforward, but the number of sampling points becomes excessive reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement process simplicityVSAvoidmeasurement efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the sampling parameters by replacing the fixed 15° grid with dynamic sampling intervals derived from Rayleigh resolutions. This calculation-based approach determines the minimum necessary sampling points to achieve accurate TRP measurement, eliminating redundant samples while maintaining measurement reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial sampling by selectively measuring only at critical angles where the antenna array produces significant radiation patterns. By identifying and sampling at these key directions based on the array's geometric characteristics, the system achieves accurate TRP without requiring complete coverage at all angles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3817249B1Method, apparatus and system for measuring total radiated power of array antenna
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 ZTE CORP
  • EP3817249B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3817249B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3817249B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(b)

AI summary

Provided are a method, apparatus and system for measuring total radiated power of an array antenna. The method includes: determining a Rayleigh resolution of the array antenna in an angle space, and setting a stepping grid spacing of sampling points according to the Rayleigh resolution; determining the sampling points according to the stepping grid spacing, measuring equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) at positions of the sampling points, and determining the TRP according to the EIRP. Compared with a traditional test mode using an angle stepping grid θgrid and ϕgrid of 15°, this reduces measurement errors; and additionally, through a normalized wave vector space transformation, the number of sampling points is further reduced, and the measurement efficiency is improved.