Over-the-Air Power Sensor with Optical Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current over-the-air power measurement systems face challenges in achieving high accuracy while minimizing hardware costs and avoiding interference from stray electromagnetic radiation, particularly due to the need for receivers to be placed inside test chambers, which occupy space and lack an interface to the outside.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device with a power sensor unit and optical indication unit, housed together to prevent interference, using energy-harvesting capabilities and flexible antenna configurations, allowing for self-contained operation and easy data collection, and a measuring system with multiple devices and a central processing unit for simultaneous multi-directional measurements and automated data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the receiver is placed inside the test chamber to receive signals from the device under test, then the measurement can be performed, but it occupies space within the test chamber and requires an interface to the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the receiver from the test chamber environment and places it outside, connected via waveguide. This eliminates the space occupation problem inside the test chamber while maintaining the measurement capability through the waveguide interface that allows signal transmission without requiring the receiver to be physically inside the chamber.
2Measurement precision
If the test chamber is insulated against electromagnetic radiation to prevent stray emissions from influencing measurements, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the receiver cannot transmit signals to the outside without an interface
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide acts as an intermediary element that bridges the insulated test chamber and the external receiver. It allows electromagnetic signals to be transmitted from inside the chamber to the outside receiver without compromising the electromagnetic insulation, thus maintaining measurement precision while enabling signal transmission through a controlled interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple measurement antennas are used to perform over the air measurements, then measurement coverage is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single measurement antenna that is part of a measuring device capable of determining power values through signal processing. This single device performs multiple functions including signal reception, power measurement, and spatial characteristic analysis, thereby achieving versatile measurement coverage without requiring multiple separate antennas and reducing system complexity.
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 low-cost, high-accuracy over-the-air power measurements with reduced space requirements and interference, allowing for easy visualization and recording of power values, and determination of spatial characteristics of signal emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a power sensor unit, which is configured for measuring a power of a signal emitted by a device under test over the air
Implementation Method 2
an indication unit which is configured for indicating the measured power optically
Implementation Method 3
the indication unit is a light emitting diode or a lamp
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring device for over the air power measurements is provided. It comprises a power sensor unit, which is configured for measuring a power of a signal emitted by a device under test over the air and an indication unit which is configured for indicating the measured power optically. Moreover, the measuring device comprises a common housing, which encompasses the power sensor unit and the indication unit.