Bilinear Polarized Antenna Testing System for mmWave AiP
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current testing systems for mm wave antennas in packages (AiP) are inefficient due to the need to switch between horizontal and vertical polarization paths, significantly reducing measurement speed in final test (FT) stations, especially in 5G mobile communication environments where multi-path reflections are prevalent.
Innovation Solution
A testing system comprising a bilinear polarized antenna, a phase retarder, and a power splitter that receives and divides circularly polarized radio waves into high frequency signals with a 90-degree phase delay, allowing simultaneous measurement of horizontal and vertical polarization paths, thereby reducing switching time and increasing measurement speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two measuring ports of a bilinear polarized antenna are switched to measure horizontal and vertical polarization paths separately, then measurement coverage is complete, but measurement speed is greatly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the circularly polarized radio wave into two separate high frequency signals (first and second signals) corresponding to horizontal and vertical polarization paths. By using a phase retarder to create a 90-degree phase difference between these segmented signals, the system can simultaneously measure both polarization paths without switching, thereby maintaining complete measurement coverage while significantly improving measurement speed.
2Measurement precision
If switching between horizontal and vertical polarization measurement is performed, then both paths are measured, but testing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous simultaneous measurement of both horizontal and vertical polarization paths by generating two high frequency signals with a 90-degree phase difference through a phase retarder. This eliminates the need for sequential switching between measurement modes, ensuring continuous useful action for both polarization paths and thereby halving the total testing time while maintaining complete path measurement coverage.
3Productivity
If circularly polarized radio waves are used for OTA testing, then measurement speed improves, but interference from multi-path reflections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polarization parameter by using circularly polarized radio waves instead of linearly polarized waves for OTA testing. This parameter change enables simultaneous measurement of both horizontal and vertical polarization paths through signal segmentation and 90-degree phase shifting, achieving doubled measurement speed. The circular polarization also helps mitigate multi-path reflection interference by providing inherent immunity to certain types of reflections, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement speed and reflection interference.
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 system enables faster measurement of both polarization paths, reducing testing time by half and improving the accuracy of conductive element quality assessment, while minimizing interference from reflections and reducing the need for extensive isolation structures.
Implementation Method 1
a phase retarder electrically connected to the bilinear polarized antenna and configured for delaying a phase of the first high frequency signal from the bilinear polarized antenna by 90 degrees
Implementation Method 2
a power splitter electrically connected to the phase retarder and the bilinear polarized antenna and configured for receiving or synthesizing the first high frequency signal with the phase delay of 90 degrees from the phase retarder and the second high frequency signal from the bilinear polarized antenna
Implementation Method 3
a bilinear polarized antenna configured for receiving and dividing a circularly polarized radio wave associating with a horizontal polarization path and a vertical polarization path
Data Source
AI summary
A testing system includes: a bilinear polarized antenna for receiving and dividing a circularly polarized radio wave associating with a horizontal and a vertical polarization path of an object-to-be-tested into a first and a second high frequency signal; a phase retarder for delaying a phase of the first high frequency signal by 90 degrees to form a first high frequency signal with a phase delay of 90 degrees; a power splitter for receiving or synthesizing the first high frequency signal with the phase delay of 90 degrees and the second high frequency signal; and a high frequency signal transceiver for measuring power of the first high frequency signal with the phase delay of 90 degrees and the second high frequency signal and determining states of the horizontal and vertical polarization paths of the object-to-be-tested based on the power. Therefore, the testing system can speed up testing of the object-to-be-tested.