Over-the-Air Test System With Adjustable Reflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current over-the-air test systems for wireless communication devices are complex and costly, making it difficult to efficiently test the transmission and receiving properties of devices under various impinging angles.
Innovation Solution
An over-the-air test system comprising a measurement antenna with a signal processing unit and a reflector that adjusts the direction of its main lobe to simulate different impinging angles, allowing for cost-effective testing of transmission and receiving properties by varying the direction of the measurement antenna's radiation pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a complex test system is used to simulate several different base stations transmitting signals under different impinging angles, then the receiving properties of the device under test can be analyzed, but the costs and system complexity become high
Solution Approach 1:
A reflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the measurement antenna and the device under test. The reflector redirects electromagnetic signals to create different impinging angles, replacing the need for multiple complex base station simulators. This single intermediary element enables angle variation while maintaining system simplicity and reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement antenna is made dynamically adjustable in terms of its radiation pattern direction. By controlling the main lobe direction of the measurement antenna, different signal transmission paths are created, which combined with the reflector, simulate multiple base station positions and angles without requiring physically multiple antennas or complex positioning systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple base stations are simulated to test receiving properties under different impinging angles, then comprehensive receiving characteristics can be evaluated, but the testing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement antenna is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a transmitter and receiver while its radiation pattern can be dynamically adjusted to simulate multiple base station positions. Combined with the reflector, this single antenna system performs the work of multiple specialized components, reducing overall system cost while maintaining versatility in testing different impinging angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system varies the radiation pattern parameters of the measurement antenna, specifically the direction of the main lobe, to simulate different base station positions and impinging angles. By changing these electromagnetic parameters rather than physically reconfiguring the entire test system, the patent achieves high adaptability at low cost.
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 simple and cost-efficient testing of wireless communication devices by simulating different base stations and angles, improving the evaluation of communication properties under various incident angles.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector configured to reflect electromagnetic signals wherein the reflector is positioned in a signal path established between the device under test and the measurement antenna such that the signals are reflected by the reflector
Data Source
AI summary
An over-the-air test system is described that is used for testing a device under test in a wireless communication environment. The test system comprises at least one measurement antenna connected with a signal processing unit configured to generate a signal or to analyze a signal. The test system further comprises a reflector configured to reflect electromagnetic signals, the reflector being positioned in a signal path established between the device under test and the measurement antenna such that the signals are reflected by the reflector. The measurement antenna has a radiation pattern with a main lobe, the measurement antenna being configured to adjust the direction of the main lobe with respect to the reflector in order to simulate different impinging angles of the signals. Further, a method for testing a device under test is described.