MIMO OTA Test System Near-Field Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing MIMO test systems are inadequate for testing 5G base stations and UE devices with integrated transceiver-antenna assemblies, as they lack traditional connectors, making traditional testing methods ineffective, and current OTA test systems are costly and require large anechoic chambers due to the need for numerous probe antennas and channels.
Innovation Solution
A MIMO OTA test system that uses a transmitter device, fading emulator, anechoic chamber, and array of probe antenna elements to perform non-conducted testing by emitting an electromagnetic beam with specific beamform and beamshape, allowing the test system computer to configure the fading emulator with reference channel models and fading channel coefficients to test devices without physical connections, and utilizing a lens system to enable testing in a near-field zone, reducing chamber size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional conducted testing methods are used with wired connections, then testing accuracy is maintained, but 5G devices with integrated transceiver-antenna assemblies cannot be tested due to lack of traditional connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless testing system. The probe antenna elements emit electromagnetic beams that couple with the antenna elements of the device under test through near-field electromagnetic coupling, eliminating the need for physical connectors while maintaining testing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic beam as an intermediary between the test system and the device under test. The beam acts as a mediator that transfers test signals wirelessly from the probe antenna elements to the integrated antenna elements, enabling testing without direct physical connection.
2Measurement precision
If multi-probe anechoic chamber OTA testing is performed in far-field zone, then radiation pattern measurement is accurate, but chamber size becomes very large requiring at least ten square meters of floor space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from far-field testing (requiring large spatial separation) to near-field testing by changing the spatial dimension and electromagnetic field regime. By operating in the near-field zone, the system can achieve accurate measurements with much smaller chamber dimensions while using lens systems to focus and shape electromagnetic beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the testing system by switching from far-field to near-field electromagnetic coupling. This parameter change allows the use of lens systems to control beam shape and focus, enabling accurate measurements in a compact chamber environment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous probe antennas and fading emulator channels are used for comprehensive MIMO testing, then testing completeness is improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each probe antenna element multi-functional by using lens systems to dynamically focus and shape electromagnetic beams. A single probe antenna element can serve multiple testing functions by adjusting beam direction, focus, and shape, replacing the need for multiple dedicated probe antennas for different measurement types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic beam control through lens systems that can adjust focal length and beam shape in real-time. This dynamic capability allows the same hardware configuration to adapt to different testing requirements, reducing the need for multiple static probe antenna configurations.
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
Enables efficient testing of 5G devices without connectors, reducing the need for large anechoic chambers and numerous probe antennas, lowering costs, and providing flexibility in selecting reference channel models while maintaining accurate beam control and measurement capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The array of probe antenna elements is electrically coupled to the output ports of the fading emulator to receive the time-varying RF output signals and to emit an electromagnetic beam having a predetermined beamform and beamshape
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a lens system to enable testing in a near-field zone, reducing chamber size and cost
Implementation Method 3
MIMO communications systems simultaneously send and receive multiple data signals over each radio channel. The multipath propagation phenomenon is the result of environmental factors that influence the data signals as they travel between the base station and the mobile device, including, for example, ionospheric reflection and refraction, atmospheric ducting, reflection from terrestrial objects and reflection from bodies of water
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) over-the-air (OTA) test system and method are provided that enable a device under test (DUT) to be tested that has no antenna connectors for interfacing antenna elements of the DUT with the MIMO OTA test system. The MIMO OTA test system and method can include a lens system that allows the OTA tests to be performed in a radiating near-field zone, thereby allowing a relatively small and less expensive anechoic chamber to be used in the MIMO OTA test system.