Pre-Calibrated Over-the-Air Test Module for RF Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual calibration of over-the-air test setups for devices is complex, time-consuming, and prone to errors, leading to inappropriate measurement results during device testing.
Innovation Solution
A pre-calibrated over-the-air test module with a radio frequency module and integrated detector module, featuring a bidirectional path and coaxial connectors, allowing for easy connection with signal generators, analyzers, and power meters, eliminating the need for manual calibration by extending the reference plane automatically to the antenna.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual calibration is performed to extend the reference plane to the antenna, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The reference plane extension calibration is performed in advance during the manufacturing process. The OTA test module is pre-calibrated at the factory to extend the reference plane from the test device port to the antenna connection point, eliminating the need for manual calibration by the user and resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-calibrated OTA test module serves itself by maintaining accurate reference plane extension without requiring user intervention. The module comes with built-in calibration data and configuration that automatically ensures measurement accuracy when connected to the test device, thus improving measurement precision while reducing device complexity from the user's perspective
2Measurement precision
If manual calibration is performed to extend the reference plane to the antenna, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference plane extension calibration is performed in advance during the manufacturing process. The OTA test module is pre-calibrated at the factory to extend the reference plane from the test device port to the antenna connection point, eliminating the need for manual calibration by the user and resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-calibrated OTA test module serves itself by maintaining accurate reference plane extension without requiring user intervention. The module comes with built-in calibration data and configuration that automatically ensures measurement accuracy when connected to the test device, thus improving measurement precision while reducing device complexity from the user's perspective
3Measurement precision
If manual calibration is performed to extend the reference plane to the antenna, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability decreases due to calibration errors
Solution Approach 1:
The reference plane extension calibration is performed in advance during the manufacturing process under controlled factory conditions. This preliminary calibration ensures consistent and accurate reference plane extension, eliminating the variability and errors associated with manual user calibration, thus improving both measurement precision and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-calibrated OTA test module serves itself by maintaining accurate reference plane extension without requiring user intervention. The module comes with built-in calibration data and configuration that automatically ensures measurement accuracy when connected to the test device, thus improving both measurement precision and reliability
4Ease of operation
If a pre-calibrated OTA test module is used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference plane extension calibration is performed in advance during the manufacturing process under controlled factory conditions. This preliminary calibration ensures consistent and accurate reference plane extension, eliminating the variability and errors associated with manual user calibration, thus improving both measurement precision and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-calibrated OTA test module serves itself by maintaining accurate reference plane extension without requiring user intervention. The module comes with built-in calibration data and configuration that automatically ensures measurement accuracy when connected to the test device, thus improving both measurement precision and reliability
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 solution provides a cost-efficient, plug-and-play testing solution that reduces calibration time and errors, ensuring stable and consistent test results for both transmitting and receiving properties of devices under test.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna 22 that is connected with a radio frequency module 24
Implementation Method 2
A second port of the radio frequency module 24 is connected with a second path 30 that encompasses a detector module 36
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an over-the-air test module for testing a device under test over-the-air. The test module (12) comprises an antenna (22) that is connected with a radio frequency module (24) having at least three ports (28, 32, 34). A first port (28) of the radio frequency module (24) is connected with a first path (26) that comprises a connector (40) configured to connect a signal analyzer (14, 16) and/or a signal generator (14, 16) with the over-the-air test module (12). A second port (32) of the radio frequency module (24) is connected with a second path (30) that encompasses a detector module (36). The second path (30) comprises an interface (38) configured to be connected with a power meter (14, 16), a signal analyzer (14, 16) or a feedback interface of a signal generator (14, 16). Further, a test system (10) is described.