OTA DUT Positioning for Quiet Zone Antenna Array Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing over-the-air (OTA) measurement systems face challenges in accurately testing devices with multiple antenna arrays due to insufficient quiet zone size, leading to measurement errors and increased path loss at higher frequencies, particularly for mm-wave and sub-terahertz frequencies, as the beam width often fails to cover the entire DUT, especially when rotated.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a combination of rotational and linear positioners, including an azimuth positioner, roll positioner, and linear positioner, to dynamically maintain antenna arrays within the quiet zone by rotating and linearly positioning the DUT, ensuring all active elements are centered and illuminated by the beam, even when the DUT is rotated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the beam width is increased to cover the entire DUT, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the gain and directivity of the beam decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic positioning systems (rotational and linear positioners) to adaptively adjust the DUT position in real-time, allowing the use of narrow high-gain beams while ensuring complete illumination coverage through active tracking and repositioning
2Measurement precision
If the quiet zone size is increased to cover all antenna arrays, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the path loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the testing process into multiple segments, positioning and testing different antenna arrays or portions of the DUT separately in sequence within a smaller quiet zone, rather than requiring all elements to be simultaneously covered by a single large beam
Solution Approach 2:
Dynamic repositioning of the DUT allows the system to maintain accurate measurements within a compact quiet zone by sequentially bringing different antenna elements into the optimal measurement position
3Measurement precision
If the beam width is narrowed to improve sensitivity, then the power measurement sensitivity is improved, but the coverage area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic positioning to track and follow the narrow high-sensitivity beam across the DUT surface, maintaining optimal measurement conditions while effectively covering the entire device through coordinated motion control
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
This approach reduces the required quiet zone size, minimizes path loss, and enhances measurement accuracy by maintaining active antenna elements within the illumination area, allowing for higher power density and larger dynamic range in power-constrained DUTs, particularly for 5G and 6G devices.
Implementation Method 1
a parabolic reflector to collimate and reflect a diverging beam from a probe antenna at the focus of the parabolic reflector
Implementation Method 2
a parabolic reflector to collimate and reflect a diverging beam from a probe antenna
Implementation Method 3
A system utilizing a combination of rotational and linear positioners, including an azimuth positioner, roll positioner, and linear positioner, to dynamically maintain antenna arrays within the quiet zone by rotating and linearly positioning the DUT
Data Source
AI summary
A system for testing a device-under-test (DUT) over-the air (OTA) includes a probe antenna, an azimuth positioner, a linear positioner and a roll positioner. The probe antenna measures radiated fields from the DUT and emits radiated fields to the DUT by illuminating active antenna elements of the DUT. The azimuth positioner rotates the DUT in a first plane about an azimuth axis. The linear positioner drives the DUT linearly along a first Y-axis in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane and drives the DUT linearly along a second X-axis perpendicular to the first Y-axis in the second plane to stay within a quiet zone of the system. The roll positioner is provided between the second plane and the azimuth positioner and is configured to rotate the DUT about a roll axis orthogonal to the azimuth axis.