CN106841828B - Near field antenna test system and method based on frequency division - Google Patents
Near field antenna test system and method based on frequency division Download PDFInfo
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
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Abstract
The application discloses a near field antenna test system based on frequency division, wherein an antenna to be tested is an array antenna, a phased array antenna or a reflecting surface antenna; when the antenna to be tested is used as a receiving antenna, the near-field antenna test system comprises a signal source, a frequency conversion unit, a plurality of probes, the antenna to be tested and a receiver; the signal source generates an initial signal; one path of initial signal is converted into a group of transmitting signals through the frequency conversion unit and is respectively sent to a plurality of probes to be simultaneously transmitted outwards; the set of transmit signals are of different frequencies and each approximates the frequency of the original signal; electromagnetic waves radiated by the plurality of probes are simultaneously received by the antenna to be tested after space transmission and are sent to the receiver, and the received signals are detected by the receiver to obtain the amplitude and the phase of each different frequency component. The antenna testing speed and the antenna testing efficiency are improved, and the antenna testing method and the antenna testing device have the advantage of accurate testing results.
Description
Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an antenna testing system and a testing method thereof, and in particular, to a near field testing system and a near field testing method thereof for an array antenna, a phased array antenna or a reflective surface antenna.
Background
An antenna array (antenna array) is a set of individual antennas (individual antenna). These individual antennas are used to transmit and/or receive radio waves, which are connected together and whose signals (e.g. currents) are controlled to have a specific amplitude (amplitude) and/or phase (phase) relationship. The control signals of different phases interact such that the signals of the antenna array are intensified in a predetermined direction and suppressed in a non-predetermined direction. This allows the antenna array to be generally used and treated as a single antenna and to have better directional characteristics (directional characteristic) and antenna gain (antenna gain) than an individual antenna.
There are many kinds of antenna arrays. If each individual antenna in the antenna array is individually controllable, then it is a phased array antenna (Phased Array Antenna). In phased array antennas, the signal phase controlling each individual antenna is designed to enable the effective radiation pattern (effective radiation pattern) of the entire antenna array to be emphasized in a predetermined direction and suppressed in a non-predetermined direction. The phase relationship between the control signals of the individual antennas may be fixed, such as a Tower array (Tower array); but may also be adjustable, such as Beam steering (Beam steering). Phased array antennas are widely used in broadcasting, radar, aerospace communications, weather investigation, optics, radio frequency identification, man-machine interfaces, and the like.
In the radar field, phased array antennas are generally classified into passive (also called passive) and active (also called active). Unless otherwise specified, phased array radar is generally referred to as passive phased array radar. Passive phased array radar, also called passive electronic scanning array (passive electronically scanned array, PESA), has only one radio frequency source from which radio frequency signals are generated and passed through a plurality of phase shift modules (phase shift module) to the transmitting elements of each individual antenna, respectively. Active phased array radar, also known as active electronic scanning array (active electronically scanned array, AESA), has its transmit and receive functions implemented by a large number of transmit/receive modules (transmit/receive modules). Each transceiver module comprises a transmitter, a receiver and an antenna, and the transceiver modules form an array to form the active phased array radar. Unlike passive phased array radar, active phased array radar is provided with independent radio frequency sources for each transceiver module, each radio frequency source can generate independent radio frequency signals (for example, different frequencies), and the independent radio frequency signals are sent to the transmitter in each transceiver module after passing through a plurality of phase shift modules.
One key technology of the phased array antenna in the research and development process is testing, and how to quickly and accurately complete the testing of the phased array antenna is the key point in the current research and development process of the phased array antenna. The test technology of the phased array antenna can be classified into two kinds of far field (far field) test and near field (near field) test. Far field testing is usually based on a field testing method, the external electromagnetic environment is complex, and testing accuracy is difficult. The near field test requires small space, and the test is accurate, convenient and quick. Near field testing has been increasingly used in recent years.
Near field testing of phased array antennas is typically performed in a microwave anechoic chamber and employs one or more probes (probes).
The Chinese patent application with the application publication number of CN103344847A and the application publication date of 2013, 10 and 9 discloses a near field measurement method of a phased array antenna, wherein only one probe is used for testing the phased array antenna. The Chinese patent application with the application publication number of CN103926474A and the application publication date of 2014, 7 and 16 also discloses a near field measurement method of the active phased array antenna, and only one probe is adopted to test the phased array antenna. Such a single probe phased array can perform testing faster for smaller electrical size phased array antennas, but requires a very long test time for larger electrical size phased array antennas. Wherein the electrical dimension refers to the ratio of the physical dimension of the phased array antenna to the operating wavelength.
The Chinese patent utility model with the authorized bulletin number of CN204595204U and the authorized bulletin day of 2015, 8 and 26 discloses a test scheme of a transceiver module (T/R module) of an active phased array radar, which adopts a plurality of probes with the same number as the transceiver module and is respectively controlled by a switch circuit with the same number so as to test each transceiver module of the phased array antenna. Upon careful analysis of this switch matrix test scheme, it was found that the following disadvantages were present. First, the number of transceiver modules included in an active phased array radar is tens, or tens of thousands. This solution requires the same number of probes and switching circuits as the transceiver modules, which is very large and costly. Secondly, the number of the transceiver modules contained in different active phased array radars is different, and the scheme cannot be used for other active phased array radars with different transceiver modules, so that the universality is lacking. Thirdly, the scheme adopts a switch switching mode, and only one probe is used for testing one transceiver module at a time, so that time-sharing testing of a large number of transceiver modules is realized, the switch switching time of multiple probes is used for replacing the probe moving time of a single probe, and the testing speed is greatly improved. However, even so, the testing time of a large phased array antenna is still quite long, and often requires a testing time of one month or several months.
The Chinese patent application with the application publication number of CN105259544A and the application publication date of 2016, 1 and 20 discloses a test scheme of a transceiver module (T/R component) of an active phased array radar, test excitation signals are sent to all transceiver modules, a phase shifter in each transceiver module carries out quadrature phase modulation on the test excitation signals respectively, and a signal processor completes the test of each transceiver module through quadrature phase demodulation. After careful analysis of this protocol, substantial differences from the present application can be found. The scheme is to test the amplitude and the phase of a transceiver module of an active phased array radar, the test is to input and output signal streams of the transceiver module, and a wired signal transmission mode is adopted. The application relates to testing phased array antennas, wherein the testing is electric field induction of an antenna port surface, and a wireless signal transmission mode is adopted.
Disclosure of Invention
The technical problem to be solved by the application is to provide a near field antenna test system based on frequency division multiplexing, which avoids adopting a switch switching mode, thereby further improving the antenna test speed and test efficiency and shortening the test time. For this purpose, the application also provides a corresponding antenna test method.
In order to solve the technical problems, the near-field antenna test system based on frequency division and the test method thereof are divided into two cases. The first case is where the antenna to be measured is the receiving antenna and the second case is where the antenna to be measured is the transmitting antenna.
When the antenna to be tested is used as a receiving antenna, the near-field antenna testing system based on frequency division comprises a signal source, a frequency conversion unit, a plurality of probes, the antenna to be tested and a receiver. The signal source generates an initial signal. One path of initial signal is converted into a group of transmitting signals through the frequency conversion unit and is respectively sent to a plurality of probes to be simultaneously transmitted outwards; the set of transmit signals are each of a different frequency and each approximates the frequency of the original signal (i.e., each transmit signal differs from the original signal by a much smaller frequency than the original signal). The antenna to be measured is an array antenna, a phased array antenna or a reflecting surface antenna. Electromagnetic waves radiated by the plurality of probes are simultaneously received by the antenna to be tested after space transmission and are sent to the receiver, and the received signals are detected by the receiver to obtain the amplitude and the phase of each different frequency component.
When the antenna to be tested is used as a receiving antenna, the corresponding antenna testing method comprises the following steps:
step S201: the signal source generates an initial signal and sends the initial signal to the frequency conversion unit;
step S202: the frequency conversion unit converts one path of initial signals into a group of transmitting signals and sends the transmitting signals to a plurality of probes respectively; the set of transmit signals are of different frequencies and each approximates the frequency of the original signal;
step S203: each probe transmits one path of transmitting signals simultaneously and outwards;
step S204: the antenna to be tested receives electromagnetic waves emitted by a plurality of probes at the same time, and the received signals are sent to a receiver;
step S205: the receiver simultaneously detects the amplitude and phase of each of the different frequency components from the received signal.
When the antenna to be tested is at the receiving position, the near-field antenna testing system and the near-field antenna testing method based on frequency division only need to use a unique signal source and a single-channel receiver under the optimal condition. The testing method is based on a frequency division mode, a group of transmitting signals with different frequencies and small frequency difference from the initial signals are constructed, the group of transmitting signals can be simultaneously received by the antenna to be tested and simultaneously detected in amplitude and phase by the receiver, and the method is equivalent to the combined situation that the initial signals are independently transmitted at the position of each probe for carrying out multiple time-sharing tests. The method and the device not only save the switching time of the switch in the prior scheme so as to improve the testing speed and the testing efficiency, but also have accurate testing results because the frequency difference between the group of transmitting signals and the initial signal is very small.
When the antenna to be tested is used as a transmitting antenna, the near-field antenna test system based on frequency division comprises a signal source, the antenna to be tested, a plurality of probes and a receiver; the signal source generates a transmit signal. The antenna to be measured is a phased array antenna or a reflecting surface antenna. The transmitting signal is sent to the antenna to be measured to be transmitted outwards. Electromagnetic waves radiated by an antenna to be measured are respectively and simultaneously received by a plurality of probes after space transmission, and signals received by each probe are respectively sent to a receiver to be detected to obtain amplitude and phase.
When the antenna to be tested is used as a transmitting antenna, the corresponding antenna testing method comprises the following steps:
step S901: the signal source generates a transmitting signal and sends the transmitting signal to the antenna to be tested;
step S902: the antenna to be tested transmits one path of transmitting signals outwards;
step S903: the probes respectively and simultaneously receive signals transmitted by the antenna to be tested, and respectively send the received signals to the receiver;
step S904: the receiver detects amplitude and phase values of a plurality of received signals simultaneously.
When the antenna to be tested is in the transmitting position, the near-field antenna testing system and the testing method based on frequency division of the application need to use one receiver with multiple channels (i.e. multiple ports) or multiple single-channel receivers. The test method is to realize the simultaneous detection of a plurality of signals received by a plurality of probes through a plurality of channels of the receiver.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a test system according to an embodiment of the utility model when the antenna to be tested is a receiving antenna.
Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a testing method corresponding to an embodiment of the testing system when the antenna to be tested is a receiving antenna.
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an 8 x 8 array antenna and an 8 x 1 probe set.
Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the test system when the antenna to be tested is a receiving antenna.
Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a testing method corresponding to the second embodiment of the testing system when the antenna to be tested is a receiving antenna.
Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the test system when the antenna to be tested is a receiving antenna.
Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a test method corresponding to a third embodiment of the test system when the antenna to be tested is a receiving antenna.
Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the test system when the antenna to be tested is a transmitting antenna.
Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a testing method corresponding to the testing system when the antenna to be tested is a transmitting antenna.
Detailed Description
Referring to fig. 1, when the antenna to be tested is a receiving antenna, an embodiment of a near field antenna testing system based on frequency division according to the present application includes:
-a signal source connected to the frequency conversion unit by means of a cable. The signal source is used for generating an initial signal f0 and sending the initial signal f0 to the frequency conversion unit. The initial signal f0 is generated, for example, by a crystal oscillator (crystal oscillator) and is optionally obtained by frequency conversion, the initial signal f0 being the test frequency of the entire near-field antenna test system.
The signal source also transmits a clock signal of the signal source to each component part of the whole near-field antenna test system as a reference signal REF, and a unified time reference is provided for the whole near-field antenna test system. The reference signal REF is for example 10MHz.
The frequency conversion unit is connected with each probe through a cable. The frequency conversion unit receives an initial signal f0 output by the signal source, and converts one path of the initial signal f0 into a set of emission signals ft 1-ftN, wherein the frequencies of the emission signals ft 1-ftN are different, but the frequency difference between each emission signal and the initial signal f0 is far smaller than the frequency of the initial signal f0, so that the frequency of the emission signals ft 1-ftN can be approximately regarded as the frequency of the initial signal f0. The set of transmit signals ft 1-ftN are directed to a plurality of probes, respectively. Preferably, the number of transmitted signals is the same as the number of probes.
Said much smaller at least means less than 1/100, preferably less than 1/10 3 More preferably less than 1/10 4 More preferably less than 1/10 5 More preferably less than 1/10 6 . For example, each of the transmitted signals has a frequency difference of several kHz from the original signal f0, and the frequency of the original signal f0 is usually in GHz.
And the probes are used for simultaneously and externally transmitting a group of transmitting signals ft 1-ftN output by the frequency conversion unit. Each probe transmits a transmitting signal with different frequencies output by the frequency conversion unit to the outside.
The plurality of probes are typically aligned in a straight line, for example, with the plurality of probes being aligned in a horizontal direction or in a vertical direction. Alternatively, the plurality of probes may be arranged in a two-dimensional array such as a circular, circular arc, rectangular matrix, or the like.
-an antenna to be tested, connected to the receiver by a cable. The antenna to be measured is a phased array antenna or a reflecting surface antenna comprising a plurality of individual antennas, wherein the plurality of (partial or all) individual antennas are used for simultaneously receiving electromagnetic waves which are radiated by a plurality of probes and transmitted in space, namely, the antenna to be measured simultaneously receives a group of transmitting signals ft 1-ftN which are simultaneously transmitted by the plurality of probes, and the receiving signal fr of the antenna to be measured is sent to a receiver.
-a receiver having at least one receiving channel (i.e. receiving port). The receiver only uses one path of receiving channel to detect the amplitude and phase of each different frequency component from the receiving signal fr output by the antenna to be tested, thereby judging the receiving characteristic of the antenna to be tested.
If multiple probes simultaneously transmit signals with the same frequency, the signals are spatially combined, and the antenna to be tested cannot distinguish and detect the signal transmitted by each probe. The initial signal f0 is subjected to extremely tiny frequency offset to form a group of transmission signals ft 1-ftN with different frequencies, the signals are transmitted by a plurality of probes at the same time, the signals cannot be spatially synthesized due to the different frequencies, the signals transmitted by each probe can be distinguished by the antenna to be detected, the detection is realized by a receiver, and the detection result is very similar to the condition that the plurality of probes respectively transmit the initial signal f0 and are respectively received by the antenna to be detected. For example, the phased array near field antenna test system of the present application adopts 8 probes to simultaneously transmit a group of transmission signals ft1 to ft8, which is equivalent to that a unique probe is adopted to transmit an initial signal f0 at the position of the first probe to be received by the antenna to be tested, then the unique probe is moved to the position of the second probe to transmit the initial signal f0 to be received by the antenna to be tested, … …, and then the unique probe is moved to the position of the eighth probe to transmit the initial signal f0 to be received by the antenna to be tested.
Preferably, the plurality of probes are deployed on a gantry, which is movable. The position relation between the antenna to be measured and the probes can be adjusted by moving the scanning frame, so that the positions of the probes cover the whole near-field scanning surface of the antenna to be measured.
Referring to fig. 2, a testing method corresponding to the embodiment of the near field antenna testing system based on frequency division shown in fig. 1 includes the following steps:
step S201: the signal source generates an initial signal f0 and sends the initial signal f0 to the frequency conversion unit. In addition, the signal source also transmits the clock signal of the signal source to each component part of the whole near-field antenna test system as a reference signal REF, and provides a unified time reference for the whole near-field antenna test system, and at least comprises a frequency conversion unit and a receiver serving as clock signals.
Step S202: the frequency conversion unit converts one path of initial signal f0 into a group of transmitting signals and sends the transmitting signals to a plurality of probes respectively. The frequencies of the set of transmitted signals ft 1-ftN are different but are all approximately equal to the frequency of the original signal f0. Preferably, the number of transmitted signals is the same as the number of probes.
Step S203: the plurality of probes respectively and simultaneously transmit a group of transmission signals ft 1-ftN to the outside. In other words, each probe transmits one path of transmission signals with different frequencies simultaneously and outwards.
Step S204: the phased array antenna or the reflecting surface antenna to be tested is used as a receiving antenna, and electromagnetic waves emitted by a plurality of probes are received simultaneously, namely a group of emission signals ft 1-ftN emitted by the plurality of probes are received simultaneously, and the received signals fr are sent to a receiver.
Step S205: the receiver detects amplitude and phase values of the different frequency components from the received signal fr simultaneously, thereby determining the reception characteristics of the antenna to be measured.
Preferably, after step S205, further includes: step S201 to step S205 are repeated and the initial signal f0 with different frequency is used each time, so that the frequency traversal scan is performed until the test of the whole frequency band of the antenna to be tested is completed.
Preferably, after step S205, further includes: steps S201 to S205 are repeated and the position of the gantry is moved each time. The probes serving as the transmitting end and the antenna to be measured serving as the receiving end are optionally arranged on the scanning frame, and the position relation between the antenna to be measured and the probes can be continuously adjusted by moving the scanning frame until the positions of the probes cover the whole near-field scanning surface of the antenna to be measured.
For example, referring to fig. 3, it is assumed that the antenna to be measured includes 64 array elements (i.e., individual antennas) and is arranged in 8 rows and 8 columns, which may be a phased array antenna or a reflector antenna. 8 probes arranged in a row are fixed on the scanning frame. Assuming that the working frequency band of the antenna to be tested is 18 GHz-20 GHz and the scanning step of the test frequency is 1GHz, the frequency traversing scanning and the test process of covering the whole near-field scanning surface are as follows.
First, 18GHz is tested, so the initial signal f0 is set to 18GHz, and the frequency conversion unit converts the initial signal f0 into a set of 8 transmission signals ft1 to ft8, for example 17.997GHz, 17.998GHz, 17.999GHz, 18GHz, 18.001GHz, 18.002GHz, 18.003GHz and 18.004GHz, respectively. The 8 probes arranged in a row simultaneously transmit the group of 8 transmitting signals ft 1-ft 8 respectively, and the antenna to be tested simultaneously receives the signals and transmits the signals to a receiver for detection and analysis, so that the receiving characteristic of the antenna to be tested at 18GHz can be judged. 19GHz and 20GHz were tested in the same manner.
The gantry is then moved and the above-described process of testing 18GHz, 19GHz, 20GHz is repeated. For example, the sampling interval of the probe is set according to the test frequency, and is used as the moving step value of the scanning frame. And continuously moving the scanning frame and repeating the testing process, so that the position relation between the 8 probes arranged in a row and the antenna to be tested is continuously changed until the positions of the probes traverse the whole near-field scanning surface of the antenna to be tested, and further obtaining the receiving characteristics of the antenna to be tested, of which the probes cover the whole near-field scanning surface, at each testing frequency.
Preferably, after step S205, the method further includes obtaining information such as a radiation pattern of the phased array antenna by implementing a transformation from a near field to a far field of the phased array antenna through an existing algorithm. For example, the steps of the testing method are firstly performed on the antenna to be tested to obtain the amplitude and phase distribution of the antenna to be tested on the near-field scanning surface as the receiving antenna, and then all the information of the far-field characteristics of the antenna is calculated through the existing algorithm according to the measured data, the characteristics of the probe and the position information of the near-field scanning surface. And after the antenna to be tested is changed into the standard gain antenna, all the steps of the testing method are carried out again to obtain all the information of the far field characteristics of the antenna of the standard gain antenna, and the gain value of the antenna to be tested is calculated according to the known calibration gain value of the standard gain antenna, so that the gain test of the antenna to be tested is completed.
Referring to fig. 4, a second embodiment of the near-field antenna testing system based on frequency division is shown in the present application when the antenna to be tested is a receiving antenna. In comparison with the first embodiment, the second embodiment provides a specific implementation manner of the frequency conversion unit. The frequency conversion unit specifically comprises:
-a distribution unit for copying one path of the initial signal f0 into multiple paths of initial signals f0 and respectively sending the signals to each mixing unit as a first input.
The local oscillation unit is used for generating a group of intermediate signals fm 1-fmN and respectively sending the intermediate signals fm 1-fmN to each mixing unit as a second input. The set of intermediate signals fm 1-fmN are of varying frequency and each is much smaller than the frequency of the original signal f0.
The local oscillator unit may be implemented by using any one or a combination of a local oscillator (local oscillator), a frequency multiplier (frequency multiplier), a frequency divider (frequency divider) and a frequency mixer (frequency mixer). For example, the frequency component Δf may be implemented by dividing, multiplying, and/or mixing the output signal of the local oscillator and/or the reference signal REF.
-a plurality of mixing units, each for frequency adding and/or frequency subtracting (i.e. mixing) the first input and the second input and outputting. The plurality of mixing units respectively output a group of transmitting signals ft 1-ftN with different multipath frequencies, and the group of transmitting signals ft 1-ftN are respectively sent to the plurality of probes. Preferably, the number of transmitted signals is the same as the number of probes.
For example, the intermediate signal fmn= (N-1) Δf, the transmit signal ftn =f0+fmn=f0+ (N-1) Δf, where N is a natural number and 1N.
Referring to fig. 5, a testing method corresponding to the second embodiment of the near field antenna testing system based on frequency division shown in fig. 4 includes the following steps:
step S501: the signal source generates an initial signal f0 and sends it to the distribution unit. In addition, the signal source also sends the clock signal of the signal source to each component part of the whole test system as a reference signal REF, provides a unified time reference for the whole test system, and at least comprises a distribution unit, a local oscillation unit, a frequency mixing unit and a receiver as clock signals.
Step S502: the distribution unit copies one path of initial signal f0 into multiple paths of initial signals f0, and provides the multiple paths of initial signals f0 to each mixing unit as a first input.
Step S503: the local oscillator unit generates a set of intermediate signals fm 1-fmN and sends each of the intermediate signals fm 1-fmN to a respective mixer unit as a second input. The set of intermediate signals fm 1-fmN are each of a different frequency and each have a frequency that differs from the frequency of the initial signal f0 by a much smaller amount than the frequency of the initial signal f0.
The order of the step S502 and the step S503 may be interchanged or performed simultaneously.
Step S504: each mixing unit performs frequency addition and/or frequency subtraction (i.e., mixing) on a respective first input (the initial signal f 0) and a second input (one of the set of intermediate signals fm 1-fmN) to obtain one of a set of transmission signals ft 1-ftN, and the plurality of mixing units output a set of transmission signals ft 1-ftN and respectively send the transmission signals ft 1-ftN to a plurality of probes. The frequencies of the set of transmitted signals ft 1-ftN are different but are all approximately equal to the frequency of the original signal f0. Preferably, the number of transmitted signals is the same as the number of probes.
The following steps S505 to S507 are respectively identical to the steps S203 to S205, and will not be repeated.
The second embodiment may also adopt the same additional schemes of frequency traversal scanning, probe coverage of the whole near-field scanning surface, conversion of near-field test parameters and far-field test parameters, and the like as the first embodiment.
Referring to fig. 6, a third embodiment of the near field antenna testing system based on frequency division is shown in the present application when the antenna to be tested is a receiving antenna. In comparison with the first embodiment, the three-purpose multiple signal sources replace the unique signal source and the frequency conversion unit in the first embodiment.
The plurality of signal sources are connected with each probe through cables. The plurality of signal sources are configured to generate a set of coherent transmit signals ft 1-ftN. Coherent refers to signals generated by various signal sources having a defined phase relationship therebetween. The frequencies of the set of transmitted signals ft 1-ftN are different from each other, but the frequency difference between any two transmitted signals is much smaller than the frequency of any one transmitted signal, so the frequency of the set of transmitted signals ft 1-ftN can be considered to be approximately equal to the test frequency f0. The set of transmit signals ft 1-ftN are directed to a plurality of probes, respectively. Preferably, the number of transmitted signals is the same as the number of probes.
In addition, at least one signal source also transmits its own clock signal as a reference signal REF to each component of the entire test system, providing a uniform time reference for the entire test system. The reference signal REF is for example 10MHz.
Referring to fig. 7, a test method corresponding to the third embodiment of the near field antenna test system based on frequency division shown in fig. 6 includes the following steps:
step S701: the plurality of signal sources respectively generate a group of coherent transmission signals ft 1-ftN and respectively send the coherent transmission signals to the plurality of probes. The frequencies of the set of transmitted signals ft 1-ftN are different but very close together so that the frequencies can be considered approximately the same. Preferably, the number of transmitted signals is the same as the number of probes.
In addition, at least one signal source also supplies its own clock signal as a reference signal REF to the various components of the overall test system, providing a uniform time reference for the overall test system, including at least the receiver as a clock signal.
The following steps S702 to S704 are respectively identical to the steps S203 to S205, and will not be repeated.
The third embodiment may also adopt the same additional schemes as the first embodiment, such as frequency traversal scanning, coverage of the probe over the entire near-field scanning surface, and conversion of near-field test parameters and far-field test parameters.
Compared with the existing phased array near-field antenna test system with a single probe, the near-field antenna test system provided by the application adopts multiple probes, so that the antenna test speed and test efficiency can be remarkably improved, and the test time is shortened. Compared with the existing phased array near field antenna test system with multiple probes, the phased array near field antenna test system with multiple probes replaces a switching mode in a frequency division (frequency division) mode, and the switching time is omitted, and multiple probes can transmit the antenna to be tested simultaneously and detect and analyze the antenna in a single channel of a receiver, so that the antenna test speed and test efficiency are further improved, and the test time is shortened.
Referring to fig. 8, when the antenna to be tested is a transmitting antenna, the near-field antenna testing system based on frequency division of the present application includes:
-a signal source connected to the antenna to be tested by a cable. The signal source is used for generating a transmitting signal fr and sending the transmitting signal fr to the antenna to be tested. The transmission signal ft is generated, for example, by a crystal oscillator and is obtained by frequency conversion, and serves as a test frequency of the entire near-field antenna test system.
The signal source also transmits a clock signal of the signal source to each component part of the whole near-field antenna test system as a reference signal REF, and a unified time reference is provided for the whole near-field antenna test system. The reference signal REF is for example 10MHz.
The antenna to be measured is a phased array antenna or a reflecting surface antenna comprising a plurality of individual antennas and is used for transmitting one path of transmitting signal ft to the outside.
-a plurality of probes connected to the receiver by cables. The probes are used for simultaneously and respectively receiving signals ft transmitted by the antenna to be tested, and the signals fr 1-frN received by the probes are respectively sent to each port of one receiver or a plurality of receivers. For example, the number of probes is less than or equal to the number of ports of the receiver.
-a receiver having multiple reception channels, or multiple receivers. The receiving channels are used for simultaneously detecting the amplitude and the phase of a group of receiving signals fr 1-frN so as to judge the transmission characteristics of the antenna to be tested. For example, a conventional four-port vector network analyzer has 8 coherent receive channels, each of which is equivalent to a separate single channel receiver. A receiver with multiple receive channels may be modified to multiple single channel receivers.
Preferably, the plurality of probes are deployed on a gantry, which is movable. The position relation between the antenna to be measured and the probes can be adjusted by moving the scanning frame, so that the positions of the probes cover the whole near-field scanning surface of the antenna to be measured.
Referring to fig. 9, the testing method corresponding to the phased array near field antenna testing system based on frequency division shown in fig. 8 includes the following steps:
step S901: the signal source generates a transmission signal ft and sends the transmission signal ft to the antenna to be tested. In addition, the signal source also sends the clock signal of the signal source to each component part of the whole near-field antenna test system as a reference signal REF, and a unified time reference is provided for the whole near-field antenna test system.
Step S902: the antenna to be tested transmits one path of transmitting signal ft to the outside.
Step S903: a plurality of probes simultaneously and respectively receive a path of transmitting signals ft transmitted by the antenna to be tested, and each probe respectively transmits the received signals fr 1-frN to a receiver.
Step S904: the receiver simultaneously detects the amplitude and phase values of a set of received signals fr 1-frN to determine the transmission characteristics of the antenna under test.
The antenna test method when the antenna to be tested is used as the transmitting antenna can also adopt the additional method steps of frequency traversing scanning, probe coverage whole near-field scanning surface, near-field to far-field conversion, oral-surface field inversion and the like which are the same in each embodiment of the antenna test method when the antenna to be tested is used as the receiving antenna.
The foregoing is merely a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Various modifications and changes may be made to the present application by those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.
Claims (10)
1. A near field antenna test system based on frequency division is characterized in that an antenna to be tested is an array antenna or a phased array antenna or a reflecting surface antenna; when the antenna to be tested is used as a receiving antenna, the near-field antenna test system comprises a signal source, a frequency conversion unit, a plurality of probes, the antenna to be tested and a receiver; the signal source generates an initial signal; one path of initial signal is converted into a group of transmitting signals through the frequency conversion unit and is respectively sent to a plurality of probes to be simultaneously transmitted outwards; the set of transmit signals are of different frequencies and each approximates the frequency of the original signal; electromagnetic waves radiated by the plurality of probes are simultaneously received by the antenna to be tested after space transmission and are sent to the receiver, and the received signals are detected by the receiver to obtain the amplitude and the phase of each different frequency component.
2. The near field antenna test system based on frequency division of claim 1, wherein the frequency conversion unit further comprises a distribution unit, a local oscillation unit, and a plurality of mixing units; one path of initial signal is duplicated into multiple paths of initial signals through a distribution unit and is respectively provided for each mixing unit; one path of reference signal is converted into a group of intermediate signals through the local oscillation unit and is respectively provided for each mixing unit; the set of intermediate signals have frequencies that are different and all substantially less than the frequency of the initial signal; each path of initial signal and each intermediate signal are mixed in each mixing unit and then output to obtain a transmitting signal; the plurality of mixing units outputs the set of transmit signals.
3. The near field antenna test system based on frequency division according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the signal source and frequency conversion unit is omitted and a plurality of signal sources are used instead; the plurality of signal sources generate a group of coherent emission signals with different frequencies; the set of transmitted signals are respectively sent to a plurality of probes to be simultaneously transmitted to the outside.
4. The frequency division based antenna testing system of claim 1, wherein when the antenna under test is a transmitting antenna, the antenna testing system comprises a signal source, an antenna under test, a plurality of probes, and a receiver; the signal source generates a transmitting signal; transmitting signals to an antenna to be tested for external transmission; electromagnetic waves radiated by an antenna to be measured are respectively received by a plurality of probes after being transmitted in space, and signals received by each probe are respectively sent to a receiver to be detected to obtain amplitude and phase.
5. The frequency division based near field antenna test system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of probes are fixed on a movable gantry.
6. The antenna test method based on frequency division is characterized by comprising the following steps when an antenna to be tested is used as a receiving antenna:
step S201: the signal source generates an initial signal and sends the initial signal to the frequency conversion unit;
step S202: the frequency conversion unit converts one path of initial signals into a group of transmitting signals and sends the transmitting signals to a plurality of probes respectively; the set of transmit signals are of different frequencies and each approximates the frequency of the original signal;
step S203: each probe transmits one path of transmitting signals simultaneously and outwards;
step S204: the antenna to be tested receives electromagnetic waves emitted by a plurality of probes at the same time, and the received signals are sent to a receiver;
step S205: the receiver simultaneously detects amplitude and phase values for each of the different frequency components from the received signal.
7. The frequency division based antenna testing method according to claim 6, wherein said steps S201 to S202 are changed to steps S501 to S504;
step S501: the signal source generates an initial signal and sends the initial signal to the distribution unit;
step S502: the distribution unit copies one path of initial signals into multiple paths and respectively provides the multiple paths of initial signals for each mixing unit as a first input;
step S503: the local oscillation unit generates a group of intermediate signals and respectively sends the intermediate signals to each mixing unit as second input; the set of intermediate signals have frequencies that are different and all substantially less than the frequency of the initial signal;
alternatively, the steps S502 and S503 are interchanged in order or performed simultaneously;
step S504: each frequency mixing unit mixes the first input and the second input to obtain a transmitting signal, and the plurality of frequency mixing units output a group of transmitting signals and respectively send the transmitting signals to the plurality of probes.
8. The frequency division based antenna testing method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the steps S201 to S202 or the steps S501 to S504 are changed to the step S701;
step S701: the plurality of signal sources respectively generate a group of coherent emission signals with different frequencies and respectively send the signals to the plurality of probes.
9. The frequency division based antenna testing method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein when the antenna to be tested is used as a transmitting antenna, the antenna testing method comprises the steps of:
step S901: the signal source generates a transmitting signal and sends the transmitting signal to the antenna to be tested;
step S902: the antenna to be tested transmits one path of transmitting signals outwards;
step S903: the probes respectively and simultaneously receive signals transmitted by the antenna to be tested, and respectively send the received signals to the receiver;
step S904: the receiver detects amplitude and phase values of a plurality of received signals simultaneously.
10. The frequency division based antenna testing method according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising one or more of the following steps: the method comprises the steps of scanning by frequency traversal, covering the whole near-field scanning surface by a probe, performing near-field to far-field directional diagram transformation and performing oral-surface field inversion.
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