Patent Application
20210356504
The present disclosure relates to wireless transmission systems in general, and to measurement equipment for antenna characterization in particular. There are disclosed arrangements and equipment which facilitate measurements of antenna characteristics.
Wireless communication networks comprise radio frequency transceivers, such as radio base stations used in cellular access networks, microwave radio link transceivers used for, e.g., backhaul into a core network, and satellite transceivers which communicate with satellites in orbit.
A radar transceiver is also a radio frequency transceiver since it transmits and receives radio frequency signals.
Radio transceivers, in general, comprise antenna devices. There is often one radio branch connected to the antenna device arranged for transmission, and another radio branch connected to the antenna device arranged for reception.
It is important to be able to determine antenna characteristics, such as radiated power before and sometimes also during operation. Antenna characterization techniques refers to the evaluation of antenna performance and testing of antennas to ensure that the antenna meets specifications. Typical parameters for characterization of antennas are, e.g., antenna gain, transmitter output power, power distribution over an antenna array, noise figure, gain-settings, and the like.
Several antenna characterization techniques are known, e.g., far-field techniques and near-field techniques. Far field techniques involve antenna measurements using measurement antennas deployed in the antenna under test (AUT) far field (a distance significantly larger compared to the operation wavelength) so as not to disturb antenna radiation properties. Due to the size required to create a far-field range for large antennas, near-field techniques were developed, which allow the measurement of the field on a surface close to the antenna, i.e., typically 3 to 10 times the operation wavelength. This measurement is then predicted to be the same as far field characterization. A third common method is the compact range, which uses a reflector to create a field near the AUT that looks approximately like a plane-wave.
Known antenna measurement techniques are costly and often require large footprint measurement facilities.
At higher frequencies, antennas become rather small in size, which increases the requirements on mechanical precision. The dynamic range of measurable powers also become more challenging at higher frequencies, as it becomes more demanding and costly to generate high powers at high frequencies.
There is a need for improved antenna measurement techniques and equipment which simplify antenna characterization, especially at higher carrier frequencies.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a measurement device for measuring antenna characteristics of an antenna under test (AUT). The AUT has a radiating element through which the AUT transmits and/or receives electromagnetic signals, such as radar and radio signals. The measurement device comprises an exterior surface wherein a measurement aperture is formed. A repetitive structure is arranged on the exterior surface. The repetitive structure comprises a plurality of protruding conductive elements arranged to surround the measurement aperture and to define a passage into the measurement aperture. The repetitive structure is configured to attenuate electromagnetic signal propagation in a frequency band past the repetitive structure while allowing electromagnetic signal propagation via the passage.
This way antenna characteristics of the AUT can be measured with high accuracy and low cost. There is no need for expensive measurement probes or anechoic chambers, since the measurements are performed via coupling between the AUT radiating element and the measurement aperture. Furthermore, the close proximity of the AUT and the measurement aperture reduces the required transmitted power level of the AUT, which is an advantage.
According to aspects, the measurement device is arranged to engage the AUT such that the measurement aperture is aligned with and faces the radiating element, whereby the passage constitutes an electromagnetically sealed passage between the radiating element and the measurement aperture.
Requirements on mechanical precision are relaxed by the disclosed techniques, since the electromagnetic sealing of the passage does not require electrical contact between AUT and measurement device, which is an advantage.
According to aspects, a plurality of measurement apertures is formed in the exterior surface surrounded by respective repetitive structures. Each such measurement aperture is arranged to align with a respective radiating element on the AUT when the measurement device engages the AUT.
This way antenna characteristics of antenna arrays comprising a plurality of radiating elements can be efficiently and conveniently characterized in a cost-effective manner by a single measurement device.
According to aspects, the measurement aperture comprises a slot aperture configured in dependence of a radiating element shape of the AUT.
By adapting the shape of the slot aperture in the measurement device to the AUT radiating element, an improved matching can be obtained between radiating element and measurement aperture. This is an advantage, e.g., since measurement accuracy is increased.
According to aspects, an antenna aperture such as a slot antenna aperture or other waveguide aperture constitutes the radiating element.
The measurement device is particularly suited for characterization of slot antenna devices. The characterization can be performed in a contactless manner, which is an advantage.
According to other aspects, a patch antenna element constitutes the radiating element.
Consequently, the antenna measurement device can be used with both slot antennas and patch antennas, or a combination thereof, which is an advantage.
According to aspects the exterior surface, the measurement aperture, and the repetitive structure are integrally formed from a single metal element.
This way of realization yields a mechanically robust measurement device obtainable at low cost.
According to aspects, the repetitive structure is arranged releasably attached to the exterior surface.
It is appreciated that the geometry of the repetitive structure depends on the frequency band of operation. For instance, the size and spacing of the protruding elements are preferably adapted to the frequency band of operation. The measurement device can, however, be adapted to operate in different frequency bands by selecting the repetitive structure to match the current frequency band of operation. A kit of different repetitive structures can be supplied with the measurement device, which enables convenient replacement of the repetitive structure as needed for different frequency bands of operation.
According to aspects, a first protruding element is arranged on the exterior surface and configured to engage with a respective first recess formed on the AUT, thereby providing means for aligning the measurement aperture with the radiating element when the measurement device engages the AUT, which is an advantage. As a complement or alternative, the protruding element can be arranged on the AUT instead and the corresponding recess on the measurement device.
According to aspects, the measurement device comprises a front section and a back section. The front section comprises the exterior surface and the repetitive structure.
The back section comprises at least one ridge structure or other signal conduit arranged communicatively coupled with respective measurement apertures formed in the exterior surface.
This way different front sections can be used to fit different AUT geometries. The back section can be re-used, which is an advantage.
There are also disclosed herein measurement devices comprising measurement circuitry, measurement equipment, and methods associated with the above-mentioned advantages.
Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc.” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. The skilled person realizes that different features of the present invention may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The present disclosure will now be described more in detail with reference to the appended drawings, where:
The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain aspects of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments and aspects set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.
Herein, the term waveguide refers to a metallized tubular structure unless otherwise explicitly noted. For instance, the metallized tubular structure may be a circular, elliptical or rectangular cross-section waveguide. A waveguide may also refer to other known waveguide structures, such as arrangements comprising a ridge, a double ridge, or the like. A waveguide is an example of a signal conduit.
The term microstrip herein denotes a planar transmission medium in general. Thus, for instance, strip-lines and the like are included when referring to microstrips unless otherwise noted. A microstrip is an example of a signal conduit.
Antenna characteristics refer to one or more antenna properties. Examples of antenna characteristics comprise antenna gain, output power, system output power including transmitter, output power distribution over an antenna surface, noise figure, gain-settings, output signal phase compared to an absolute reference phase or to another output signal, and the like.
Antenna characteristics may also comprise properties of a transceiver system including the AUT. Thus, characterizing an antenna may comprise determining output power of a transmission system comprising an antenna and one or more transmission branches.
Other relevant parameters for characterization of antennas are, e.g., radiation patterns, beam-widths, polarizations, and impedances.
As communication frequency bands go higher and higher, transmission components become smaller and smaller. This is because the size of many components, such as waveguides and filters are determined in proportion to a wavelength of the carrier frequency. This complicates manufacturing of transmission components since higher and higher mechanical precision is required in order to obtain satisfactory performance.
A central concept herein is the use of repetitive structures for attenuating electromagnetic fields. Such repetitive structures are often referred to as ‘gap waveguide structures’ in the literature. A gap waveguide is generally built up of two parts; a structured metal or conductive surface and a flat metal or conductive surface being placed in close proximity to one another, but not necessarily in direct contact. The structured surface is characterized by pins or other protrusions forming a metamaterial surface sometimes referred to as an artificial magnetic conductor. The protrusions create a barrier preventing the electromagnetic waves from propagating in undesired directions. In this way, the pins replace the walls in rectangular waveguides. This is done without requiring a perfectly sealed metallic or conductive enclosure, which is an advantage since requirements on mechanical precision are reduced. Gap waveguide structures, and methods to configure them with geometrical properties to attenuate electromagnetic signal propagation in a given frequency band are known and will not be discussed in more detail here. One method to determine a suitable repetitive structure geometry for a given frequency band is by computer simulation, possibly in addition to mathematical analysis.
It is appreciated that reciprocity holds for devices like the measurement device illustrated in
The measurement device 100 is arranged to engage the AUT 150 such that the measurement aperture 120 is aligned with and faces the radiating element 160, whereby the passage 140 constitutes an electromagnetically sealed passage between the radiating element 160 and the measurement aperture 120.
Referring back to the discussion above on gap waveguides; the protruding elements 135 together with a ground plane of the AUT 150, which is almost always comprised in the AUT, constitute the two parts of a gap waveguide structure. The protruding elements make up the structured conductive surface which is placed in close proximity to the ground plane metal surface of the AUT. Here, close proximity means that the distance is smaller than approximately a quarter of the operation wavelength, i.e., a wavelength corresponding to an approximate carrier frequency of the electromagnetic signals in the frequency band of the measurement operation. It is appreciated that the repetitive structure of protrusions is a periodic or quasi-periodic structure. Consequently, the protrusions create a barrier preventing the electromagnetic waves from propagating in undesired directions. The dimensions of the protruding element and their relative configuration determine the frequency dependent attenuation properties of the repetitive structure. Here, the undesired directions are the directions leading away from the passage 140 which originates at the measurement aperture 120 and leads to the radiating element 160 when the measurement device 100 engages the AUT 150. Thus, the repetitive structure 130 is configured to attenuate electromagnetic signal propagation in a frequency band past the repetitive structure while allowing propagation via the passage 140.
It is appreciated that the protruding elements can be metal elements or metallized conductive elements. However, some polymers and the like are also conductive, which means that they can be used to form the protruding conductive elements.
According to some aspects, as exemplified in
According to some aspects, the exterior surface 110, the measurement aperture 120, and the repetitive structure 130 are integrally formed from a single metal element, i.e., machined or molded from a single piece of metal, or from a single piece of material, such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which then has been metallized.
However, the repetitive structure 130 need not necessarily be integrally formed with the conductive material forming the exterior surface. For instance, according to some aspects, the repetitive structure 130 is configured on a separate carrier assembled with the measurement device. In other words, the repetitive structure 130 is arranged releasably attached to the exterior surface 110.
The separate carrier may, e.g., be a piece of normal plastic material, a dielectric material, a polymer material, or PTFE which is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. PTFE is a preferred option since it can be molded with high precision to form the protrusions and to fit into a machined grove or recess formed in connection to the measurement device. The insert can be metallized if it is not already formed in a conductive material, thus forming the repetitive structure configured to attenuate electromagnetic signal propagation in a frequency band past the repetitive structure while allowing propagation via the passage 140.
An advantage of using a separate carrier for the repetitive structure is that the dimensions of the repetitive structure can be selected based on application, while the other parts of the measurement device can be re-used, at least if a bushing member is configured in the measurement aperture to form the correct size aperture for the frequency band of operation. So, according to some aspects, the measurement device 100 comprises a kit of repetitive structures arranged to attenuate electromagnetic signal propagation in respective frequency bands.
Optionally, to improve alignment between measurement aperture and radiating element, one or more alignment holes 171,173 may be configured to receive respective alignment taps 170, 172 soldered to the measurement device and/or to the AUT. The soldering process is associated with a self-alignment effect; During assembly on a PCB or the like, first solder paste is deposited on pads arranged with high mechanical precision the PCB. In a second step surface mounted components are placed on the pads. The third step is a re-melting of the solder, where the solder joints are formed. During re-melting, forces from surface tension and capillary effects acts on the surface mounted component to align the component with the older pads on the PCB. Thus, soldered alignment taps can be expected to be placed with high accuracy relative to the patch antenna on the PCB. It is appreciated that a single alignment tap provides one fixed point, i.e., the PCB may then rotate in relation to the waveguide module. Two or more alignment taps with respective holes machined in the waveguide module will fix the measurement device 100 relative to the AUT.
In other words, according to some aspects, a first protruding element 170 is arranged on the exterior surface 110 and configured to engage with a respective first recess 171 formed on the AUT 150, thereby providing means for aligning the measurement aperture 120 with the radiating element 160 when the measurement device engages the AUT.
According to some other aspects, a second protruding element 172 is arranged on the AUT 150 and configured to engage with a respective second recess 173 arranged on the exterior surface 110, thereby providing means for aligning the measurement aperture 120 with the radiating element 160.
Since different AUTs can have different geometries in terms of, e.g., radiating element location and shape, the measurement device 100 may need different shapes to fit different AUT geometries. So, according to some aspects, the measurement device 100 comprises a front section and at least one back section, the front section comprising the exterior surface 110 and the repetitive structure 130, the back section comprising at least one ridge structure or other signal conduit arranged communicatively coupled with respective measurement apertures formed in the exterior surface.
According to some aspects, the measurement aperture 120 is communicatively coupled 121 to respective measurement circuitry 180. In some applications, it may be beneficial to have measurement circuitry permanently coupled to the measurement aperture. The measurement circuitry could be, for example, a down-converting mixer, which could reduce the complexity of required measurement analysis units.
The AUT can be characterized in different ways by connecting different measurement analysis units to the measurement device. For instance, total radiated power could be measured if a power meter is connected to the measurement device. So, according to some aspects, a measurement analysis unit 190 is connected to one or more measurement devices 100.
It is thus appreciated that the radiating element 160 of the AUT may according to some aspects be an antenna aperture. The antenna aperture may have different shapes, e.g., a slot antenna aperture.
According to some aspects, the measurement aperture 120 comprises a slot aperture configured in dependence of a radiating element shape of the AUT. For instance, the shape of the measurement aperture may be matched against the shape of the AUT slot shape.
It is appreciated that the measurement device 100 shown in, e.g.,
It has already been mentioned that the measurement devices disclosed herein can be used to measure and to characterize other radiating elements than slot apertures.
According to some aspects, the combination of measurement device and AUT constitutes a waveguide transition from a radiating element in the form of a patch antenna to a waveguide structure.
configuring S1 the measurement device 100 with an exterior surface 110, where a measurement aperture 120 is formed in the exterior surface;
arranging S2 a repetitive structure 130 on the exterior surface, wherein the repetitive structure 130 comprises a plurality of protruding conductive elements 135 arranged to surround the measurement aperture 120 and to define a passage 140 into the measurement aperture 120, the repetitive structure 130 being configured to attenuate electromagnetic signal propagation in a frequency band past the repetitive structure 130 while allowing propagation via the passage 140;
engaging S3 the AUT by the measurement device 100 such that the measurement aperture is aligned with and faces the radiating element, whereby the passage 140 constitutes an electromagnetically sealed passage between the radiating element 160 and the measurement aperture 120); and
measuring S4 antenna characteristics of the AUT 150 by the measurement device 100.
Thus, the method describes aspects of the above disclosed techniques for measuring antenna characteristics by the disclosed measurement devices.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1830297-6 | Oct 2018 | SE | national |
| 1830332-1 | Nov 2018 | SE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2019/075097 | 9/19/2018 | WO | 00 |
