Thermostatic Anechoic Chamber Interface for OTA Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the radiation performance characteristics of wireless devices using OTA tests can damage anechoic chamber absorbers due to heat stress and fail to provide accurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
An electronic component handling apparatus with a thermostatic chamber and an adjacent anechoic chamber, connected to allow the first and second openings to face each other, includes a socket for connecting a DUT with a first antenna, a moving device to press the DUT against the socket, and a second antenna inside the thermostatic chamber, along with a window to transmit radio waves and a reflector to direct them, protecting the absorber from thermal stress and enhancing measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the DUT is heated in the anechoic chamber for OTA testing, then the radiation performance characteristics can be measured, but the radio wave absorber is damaged by heat stress
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate chambers: a thermostatic chamber for heating the DUT and an anechoic chamber for radio wave absorption. This segmentation allows the DUT to be heated without exposing the absorber to heat stress, resolving the contradiction between temperature control and absorber protection.
Solution Approach 2:
A window structure with plate-shaped members acts as an intermediary between the thermostatic chamber and the anechoic chamber. This window allows radio waves to pass through while preventing heat transfer, enabling the DUT to be heated without damaging the absorber in the anechoic chamber.
2Reliability
If the DUT is pressed against the socket for electrical connection, then electrical contact is achieved, but radio wave transmission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The socket cover is designed with different local properties: a reflector portion with high reflectivity for radio waves and a pressing portion for mechanical contact. This local differentiation allows the socket to simultaneously achieve electrical connection and radio wave transmission by directing waves away from the contact interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector on the socket cover redirects radio waves in a different spatial direction, away from the pressing interface. This dimensional redirection allows radio waves to bypass the mechanical contact zone, enabling both electrical connection and radio wave transmission to occur simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If a reflector is added to direct radio waves, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The socket cover serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical pressing for electrical connection, acts as a reflector for radio waves, and forms part of the chamber structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving measurement precision.
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 configuration protects the radio wave absorber from thermal stress and allows for high-accuracy OTA testing of DUTs with antennas by maintaining the absorber's integrity and ensuring precise radio wave transmission and reception characteristics evaluation.
Implementation Method 1
a first window 40 to transmit radio waves radiated from the first or second antenna
Implementation Method 2
The reflector may be provided in the holding portion to face the first antenna in the normal direction of the main surface of the socket
Implementation Method 3
The anechoic chamber includes a radio wave absorbing material
Implementation Method 4
the electronic component handling apparatus may include a heater to heat the plate-shaped member disposed on the anechoic chamber side among the pair of plate-shaped members
Implementation Method 5
The electronic component handling apparatus may include a supply device which is to supply dry air to the space
Implementation Method 6
a moving device which is to move the DUT and press the DUT against the socket
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic component handling apparatus includes: a thermostatic chamber in which a socket disposed, the socket electrically being connectable to a device under test (DUT) including a first antenna; a moving device that moves the DUT and presses the DUT against the socket; an anechoic chamber disposed adjacent to the thermostatic chamber; a second antenna disposed inside the thermostatic chamber; and a first window that transmits radio waves radiated from the first or second antenna. The thermostatic chamber has a first opening on a wall surface of the thermostatic chamber. The anechoic chamber has a radio wave absorber and a second opening that opens toward a transmission direction of the radio waves from or to the second antenna. The thermostatic chamber and the anechoic chamber are connected to each other to make the first opening and the second opening face each other.