Near-Field Waveguide Testing for Phased Antenna Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array systems with large numbers of subunits require extensive testing time and increase production costs due to the need to test each subunit individually, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A near-field testing apparatus and method that uses a frame structure with waveguide sections to guide electromagnetic signals from transmitter antennas to receiver antennas, allowing for rapid testing of signal power and relative phases among antennas by dividing the antenna module into groups and testing one group at a time, thereby reducing OTA path loss and energy leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If each subunit of the phased array system is tested individually, then testing accuracy is maintained, but testing time increases significantly and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple subarrays, and the testing apparatus uses a segmented waveguide structure with multiple grid sections. Each grid section can independently test a group of antenna subunits simultaneously, converting sequential individual testing into parallel group testing while maintaining measurement accuracy through controlled near-field coupling environments.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple antenna subunits are tested together in groups using a shared waveguide structure. The receiver circuit system simultaneously measures signals from multiple transmitter antennas through the common waveguide medium, merging multiple individual testing operations into a single integrated testing process that reduces total testing time while preserving measurement precision.
2Reliability
If traditional OTA testing is used, then comprehensive radiation pattern measurement is achieved, but energy leakage increases and testing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A waveguide structure serves as an intermediary medium between transmitter and receiver antennas. This waveguide confines and guides electromagnetic energy along a controlled path, preventing energy leakage into the surrounding environment while enabling accurate signal transmission for comprehensive radiation pattern measurement through the structured near-field coupling environment.
3Area of stationary object
If antenna subunits are tested in close proximity, then testing space is reduced, but interference between antennas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful electromagnetic interference between closely spaced antenna subunits is extracted and confined within the waveguide structure. The waveguide walls act as barriers that isolate the electromagnetic fields of adjacent antenna groups, allowing dense packing of antenna subunits for space-efficient testing while preventing mutual interference through the waveguide's field-confining properties.
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 proposed solution significantly speeds up the testing process, reduces energy leakage, and minimizes interference between antennas, enabling efficient testing of phased array systems by using near-field coupling and waveguide structures to isolate and measure each group of subunits independently.
Implementation Method 1
an array of antennas can be tested using near-field coupling operation which can reduce/eliminate OTA path loss produced in near-field test operation
Implementation Method 2
The electromagnetic signals are transmitted in a form of standing wave in the hollow waveguide structure
Data Source
AI summary
A near-field testing apparatus for testing a device under test having an array of transmitter antennas is provided. The near-field testing apparatus includes a frame structure and a receiver circuit. The frame structure defines an array of grid sections, and is arranged for receiving the array of transmitter antennas at a first side of the array of grid sections. A periphery of each grid section at the first side surrounds a plurality of transmitter antennas in the array of transmitter antennas. The grid section is arranged to guide respective electromagnetic signals emitted by the transmitter antennas from the first side to a second side of the array of grid sections. The receiver circuit, disposed at the second side of the array of grid sections, is arranged to couple the electromagnetic signals out of the grid section.