Pivoting Cable Transmission for Distortion-Free Antenna Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spherical near-field scanner systems suffer from signal distortion due to cable bending or twisting during antenna measurement, leading to inaccurate measurement results.

Innovation Solution

A signal transmission mechanism using two cables connected via rotatable cable carrying arms and a pivoting module to prevent bending and twisting, ensuring stable signal transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single cable is used to connect the control end and the antenna carrier, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cable bends or twists during movement causing signal distortion and reducing measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single cable connection is segmented into two separate cables (first cable and second cable), each carried by its own cable carrying arm. This segmentation allows each cable to follow a more controlled path and reduces bending and twisting, thereby improving signal transmission quality and measurement precision while accepting increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A pivoting module is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the two cable carrying arms. This pivoting module enables relative rotation between the arms while maintaining cable integrity, serving as a mediator that resolves the conflict between movement flexibility and cable protection, thus improving measurement precision without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the antenna carrier moves along the circularly curved test frame, then the measurement coverage is improved, but the cable bends or twists causing signal distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cable carrying arms are designed to be rotatable relative to each other through the pivoting module, creating a dynamic cable management system. This dynamic structure adapts to the antenna carrier's movement along the circularly curved test frame, maintaining cable integrity throughout the measurement range and preserving measurement precision across all positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The solution adds a rotational dimension to the cable management system by allowing the cable carrying arms to rotate relative to each other. This additional degree of freedom enables the cables to accommodate the three-dimensional movement of the antenna carrier without bending or twisting, thus maintaining measurement precision while preserving full measurement coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12429510B2Spherical scanning type antenna measurement system and signal transmission mechanism thereof
Publication Date: 2025.09.30 WAVEPRO INC
  • US12429510B2 patent drawing
  • US12429510B2 patent drawing
  • US12429510B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A signal transmission mechanism includes a first cable carrying arm, a second cable carrying arm and a pivoting module. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected through the pivoting module so that the first cable carrying arm and the second cable carrying arm can be rotated with respect to each other. The first cable carrying arm is configured to carry a first cable and the second cable carrying arm is configured to carry a second cable. The first cable and the second cable are electrically connected through the pivoting module. A signal is transmitted from the first cable through the pivoting module to the second cable. The first cable and the second cable are not deformed when the first cable carrying arm and the second cable carrying arm are rotated with respect to each other.