JP2004279110A - Antenna measuring device and antenna measuring method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To measure with an inspection specification at the time of mounting by reducing to the utmost the influence of a fixing element, when placing and fixing a dielectric antenna on a measuring substrate. <P>SOLUTION: This antenna measuring device 10 for measuring the characteristic of the dielectric antenna 12 in the state where the dielectric antenna 12 is placed and fixed on the measuring substrate 14 has a casing 50 for storing the measuring substrate 14, an arm mechanism 42 for conveying the fixing element 40, a transmission/reception part 52 installed in contact with or near the casing 50, for receiving a radio wave radiated from the dielectric antenna 12 or radiating the radio wave to the dielectric antenna 12, an alignment mechanism 54 for adjusting a relative position between the measuring substrate 14 and the transmission/reception part 52, and a network analyzer 56 installed outside the casing 50, for analyzing a signal from the transmission/reception part 52 or a signal from the dielectric antenna 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an antenna measuring device and an antenna measuring method for measuring characteristics of an antenna device, and particularly to an antenna measuring device suitable for measuring characteristics of a dielectric antenna formed by forming an antenna electrode on a dielectric substrate. And an antenna measurement method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to reduce the size of an antenna device and the size of a communication device, for example, a large number of dielectric antennas in which an antenna pattern formed of an electrode film is formed on the surface of a dielectric substrate have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Documents 2 and 3).
[0003]
When measuring the characteristics of these dielectric antennas, a measurement substrate in which a ground electrode is partially formed is prepared, and a part of the dielectric antenna is mounted and fixed on the ground electrode.
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-162633 (FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-10-32413 (FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-10-41722 (FIG. 1)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in mounting and fixing the dielectric antenna, a method is employed in which the dielectric antenna is pressed against the measurement substrate by a fixture, for example. In this case, there is a problem that the resonance frequency and the impedance of the dielectric antenna are shifted due to the fixing tool contacting a part of the dielectric antenna.
[0005]
In other words, the characteristics of the dielectric antenna when the dielectric antenna is mounted on the measurement substrate and the characteristics of the dielectric antenna when the dielectric antenna is solder-mounted on the wiring substrate (equivalent to the measurement substrate) are different. It will be very different. Therefore, in measuring the characteristics, the inspection standard at the time of mounting cannot be used as it is.
[0006]
Therefore, in the past, the correlation between the characteristic when the dielectric antenna was mounted and fixed on the measurement substrate and the characteristic when the dielectric antenna was solder-mounted on the actual wiring board was calculated. An inspection standard is determined, and characteristics when the dielectric antenna is mounted and fixed on the measurement substrate are compared with the alternative inspection standard.
[0007]
In such an inspection method, a step for determining an alternative inspection standard is required before starting an actual inspection step, and there is a possibility that reduction in the number of steps may be limited.
[0008]
In addition, in order to measure the antenna gain of the dielectric antenna, it is conceivable to perform the measurement by installing a transmission antenna so as to face the dielectric antenna. However, also in this case, an alternative inspection standard for measuring the antenna gain is separately required, but creating this alternative inspection standard requires a great deal of time and effort, and is disadvantageous in terms of cost. Become.
[0009]
Therefore, conventionally, as a characteristic for mounting and fixing the dielectric antenna on the measurement substrate, only the reflection characteristic is used, and the antenna gain, the directivity characteristic, and the frequency characteristic of the gain of the dielectric antenna are measured. Either at the stage of mounting or using another facility. Therefore, conventionally, there are many facilities and man-hours required for the inspection process, and there is a limit in reducing the cost.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and when mounting and fixing a dielectric antenna on a measurement substrate, the influence of the fixture can be eliminated as much as possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide an antenna measuring device and an antenna measuring method capable of performing the above.
[0011]
Further, an object of the present invention is that, in addition to the above conditions, the antenna gain, the reflection characteristic, the directivity characteristic, and the frequency characteristic of the gain of the dielectric antenna can be measured almost at the same time by one measuring device, and the measuring equipment can be simplified. It is an object of the present invention to provide an antenna measuring device and an antenna measuring method capable of effectively reducing the number of steps and man-hours.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An antenna measuring apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that an antenna electrode is formed on a dielectric substrate, and a dielectric antenna having a ground electrode formed on a part of the surface of the dielectric substrate is mounted and fixed on a measuring substrate. In the antenna measuring apparatus for measuring the characteristics of the dielectric antenna, there is provided a fixture for contacting the earth electrode of the dielectric antenna and pressing the dielectric antenna against the substrate for measurement.
[0013]
At the time of measurement, the fixture comes into contact with the earth electrode of the dielectric antenna and presses the dielectric antenna against the substrate for measurement. Even if this happens, the resonance frequency and impedance of the dielectric antenna will not shift.
[0014]
From this, the characteristics of the dielectric antenna when the dielectric antenna is mounted on the measurement substrate and the characteristics of the dielectric antenna when the dielectric antenna is solder-mounted on the wiring board (equivalent to the measurement substrate) Will be almost the same.
[0015]
Therefore, in the antenna measuring apparatus according to the present invention, when measuring the characteristics of the dielectric antenna, the inspection standard at the time of mounting can be used as it is, and there is no need to create an alternative inspection standard as in the related art. As a result, it is possible to effectively reduce the number of steps required for the inspection process.
[0016]
Then, in the above configuration, a housing accommodating the measurement substrate, an arm mechanism for transporting the fixture, and a radio wave radiated from the dielectric antenna attached to or close to the housing. A transmission / reception unit that receives or radiates radio waves to the dielectric antenna, a positioning mechanism that adjusts a relative position between the measurement substrate and the transmission / reception unit, and a signal from the transmission / reception unit that is installed outside the housing. Or you may make it have the analysis part which analyzes the signal from a dielectric antenna.
[0017]
As described above, when measuring the characteristics of the dielectric antenna, since the inspection standard at the time of mounting can be used as it is, when measuring the antenna gain, the directivity characteristics, and the frequency characteristics of the gain using the transmission / reception unit Also, each inspection standard at the time of mounting can be used as it is. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately create an alternative inspection standard corresponding to each characteristic. Accordingly, the antenna gain, reflection characteristics, directivity characteristics, and frequency characteristics of the gain of the dielectric antenna can be measured almost simultaneously with one measuring device using the same measuring device, and the number of steps in the inspection process can be significantly reduced. Can be.
[0018]
In addition, since there is a positioning mechanism for adjusting a relative position between the measurement substrate and the transmitting / receiving unit, it is possible to measure dielectric antennas of various sizes with one measuring device.
[0019]
The positioning mechanism may include a substrate moving mechanism for moving the measurement substrate in an arbitrary direction and a housing moving mechanism for moving the housing in an arbitrary direction.
[0020]
In this case, it is preferable that the substrate moving mechanism has one or more support members for supporting the measurement substrate, and the one or more support members are made of at least a material having a low dielectric constant. It is preferable that the dielectric constant of the one or more support members is lower than the dielectric constant of the dielectric substrate of the dielectric antenna. Thereby, the influence of the support on the dielectric antenna can be almost eliminated, and the resonance frequency and impedance of the dielectric antenna are not shifted by the support member during measurement.
[0021]
Further, in the antenna measuring method according to the present invention, an antenna electrode is formed on a dielectric substrate, and a dielectric antenna having a ground electrode formed on a part of the surface of the dielectric substrate is placed and fixed on a measuring substrate. In the antenna measuring method for measuring the characteristics of the dielectric antenna in a state in which the dielectric antenna is in contact with the earth electrode of the dielectric antenna, the characteristics of the dielectric antenna are measured while pressing the dielectric antenna against the substrate. It is characterized by doing.
[0022]
Thereby, when mounting and fixing the dielectric antenna on the measurement substrate, the influence of the fixture can be eliminated as much as possible, and the measurement can be performed according to the inspection standard at the time of mounting. In addition, the antenna gain, reflection characteristics, directivity characteristics, and frequency characteristics of the gain of the dielectric antenna can be measured almost simultaneously, so that the measurement equipment can be simplified and the number of steps can be effectively reduced.
[0023]
Then, in the method, the measurement substrate is accommodated in a housing, and the dielectric antenna is mounted and fixed on the measurement substrate using the fixing tool, and is attached to or close to the housing. Through the transmission / reception unit, receives a radio wave radiated from the dielectric antenna, or radiates a radio wave to the dielectric antenna, analyzes a signal from the transmission / reception unit or a signal from the dielectric antenna, and analyzes the signal from the dielectric antenna. The characteristic may be measured.
[0024]
Further, it is preferable to use a support member made of at least a material having a low dielectric constant as a support member for supporting the measurement substrate. In this case, it is preferable that the dielectric constant of the one or more support members is lower than the dielectric constant of the dielectric substrate of the dielectric antenna.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an antenna measuring device and an antenna measuring method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 1, the antenna measuring apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment measures the characteristics of the dielectric antenna 12 while the dielectric antenna 12 (see FIG. 3) is placed and fixed on a measurement substrate 14. Device.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 2, the ground electrode 16 is formed on almost the entire surface of the measurement substrate 14 except for one corner portion 18. The dielectric antenna 12 is placed and fixed on the one corner portion 18 of the measurement substrate 14 where the ground electrode 16 is not formed.
[0028]
Here, the configuration of the dielectric antenna 12 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the dielectric antenna 12 includes a dielectric substrate 20 formed by stacking and firing a plurality of plate-shaped dielectric layers, and an antenna formed on the upper surface of the dielectric substrate 20. And a pattern 22. The antenna pattern 22 is formed, for example, in a band shape by the electrode film.
[0029]
The dielectric antenna 12 has an input / output terminal 24 formed of an electrode film on the rear end surface of the dielectric substrate 20. The input / output terminal 24 and the rear end of the antenna pattern 22 are Are electrically connected via a strip line electrode, a via hole, or the like formed on the substrate. A portion that electrically connects the input / output terminal 24 and the rear end of the antenna is a power supply portion, and the power supply portion is surrounded by a ground electrode 30.
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the antenna measurement device 10 according to the present embodiment has a fixture 40 that presses the dielectric antenna 12 placed on the measurement substrate 14 against the measurement substrate 14. The fixture 40 is moved by an arm mechanism 42.
[0031]
The dielectric antenna 12 is taken out, for example, from a pallet (not shown) in which a large number of dielectric antennas 12 are arranged, and is mounted on the measurement substrate 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the fixture 40 contacts the earth electrode 30 formed on the upper surface of the dielectric antenna 12 placed on the measurement substrate 14, and fixes the dielectric antenna 12 to the measurement substrate 14. Press down on 14.
[0032]
The fixture 40 may also be used as a jig for taking out one dielectric antenna 12 from the pallet and placing it on the measurement substrate 14. This can be easily realized by providing the fixture 40 with, for example, a vacuum chuck mechanism.
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the overall configuration of the antenna measuring device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 50, a transmitting / receiving unit 52, a positioning mechanism 54, a network analyzer 56, A computer 58 for controlling the mechanism 42, the alignment mechanism 54, and the network analyzer 56; The input / output terminal 24 of the dielectric antenna 12 is connected to a network analyzer 56.
[0034]
The housing 50 has a space 60 in which the measurement substrate 14 is housed, and a large number of radio wave absorbers 62 are provided on at least the upper and lower inner walls among the inner walls. As a constituent material of the radio wave absorber 62, there are a ferrite sintered material (for absorption in the MHz band) and a rubber and resin-based composite material (for absorption in the GHz band).
[0035]
The transmission / reception unit 52 is attached to or close to the front surface of the housing 50 and has a transmission / reception antenna that receives a radio wave radiated from the dielectric antenna 12 and radiates a radio wave to the dielectric antenna 12.
[0036]
The positioning mechanism 54 moves the measurement substrate 14 in the X-axis direction (direction approaching and separating from the transmission / reception unit 52), the Y-axis direction (vertical direction), and the torsional direction θ about the X-axis. A substrate moving mechanism 70 for moving the housing 50, a first housing moving mechanism 72 for moving the housing 50 in the Y-axis direction, and a housing 50 for moving the housing 50 in the Z-axis direction (horizontal direction and (A direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction).
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 1, the substrate moving mechanism 70 is provided on a base 76 and moves relative to the base 76 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the θ direction. There are a plurality of columnar columns 80 fixed on 78, and a flat supporting plate 82 horizontally supported by the columns 80. The measurement substrate 14 is placed and fixed on the support plate 82. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the measurement substrate 14 is placed on the support plate 82 such that one of the corner portions 84 and one of the corner portions 86 of the support plate 82 match. Fixed.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 1, the first housing moving mechanism 72 has a first stage 88 disposed on the base 76 and moving relatively to the base 76 in the Y-axis direction. The lower surface or the upper surface of the housing 50 is fixed to the first stage 88.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 2, the second housing moving mechanism 74 has a second stage 90 that is disposed on the base 76 and moves relatively to the base 76 in the Z-axis direction. One side surface of the housing 50 is fixed to the second stage 90.
[0040]
Each of these mechanisms is controlled by, for example, a computer 58, and the dielectric antenna 12 (or the measurement substrate 14) is arranged at an optimal position for measurement according to the type of the dielectric antenna 12 to be inspected. Is driven.
[0041]
The plurality of columns 80 in the substrate moving mechanism 70 are made of at least a material having a low dielectric constant. Specifically, the dielectric constant of the columns 80 is lower than the dielectric constant of the dielectric substrate 20 in the dielectric antenna 12.
[0042]
In addition, the installation positions of the plurality of columns 80 are installed at positions away from the dielectric antenna 12. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, an example is shown in which the support plate 82 is installed at positions corresponding to three corners (positions indicated by 1, 2, and 3 in FIG. 4).
[0043]
Next, a method for measuring the characteristics of the dielectric antenna 12 using the antenna measuring device 10 according to this embodiment will be described.
[0044]
First, the type of the dielectric antenna 12 to be inspected is input to the computer 58. The computer 58 controls the driving of the board moving mechanism 70 and the first and second housing moving mechanisms 72 and 74 based on the input data, so that the measuring board 14 is mounted on the dielectric antenna 12 to be inspected. Set to the optimal position for measuring characteristics.
[0045]
Thereafter, the computer 58 drives and controls the arm mechanism 42 to convey the fixture 40 onto a pallet (not shown), and vacuum-adsorbs one of the dielectric antennas 12 arranged in the pallet from one of the dielectric antennas 12. Hold. At this time, the fixture 40 holds the dielectric antenna 12 in a state of being in contact with the ground electrode 30 on the upper surface of the dielectric antenna 12.
[0046]
Next, the computer 58 controls the drive of the arm mechanism 42 to transport the fixture 40 (holding the dielectric antenna 12) onto the measurement substrate 14, and further moves the dielectric antenna 12 to the measurement substrate 14. Is placed on one corner 18 (the corner where the ground electrode 16 is not formed) and pressed.
[0047]
After that, the computer 58 sends a signal for transmission to the dielectric antenna 12. Radio waves are emitted from the dielectric antenna 12 in accordance with transmission signals, and the radio waves are received by the transmission / reception unit 52 and input to the network analyzer 56 as reception signals. At this stage, the antenna gain, reflection characteristics, directivity characteristics, and frequency characteristics of the gain of the dielectric antenna 12 are measured.
[0048]
As described above, in the antenna measuring apparatus 10 and the antenna measuring method according to the present embodiment, when the dielectric antenna 12 is placed and fixed on the measurement substrate 14, the fixture 40 is connected to the ground electrode 30 of the dielectric antenna 12. Since the dielectric antenna 12 comes into contact and presses the dielectric antenna 12 against the measurement substrate 14, the effect of the fixture 40 on the dielectric antenna 12 is almost eliminated. The resonance frequency and impedance do not shift.
[0049]
From this, the characteristics of the dielectric antenna 12 when the dielectric antenna 12 is mounted on the measurement board 14 and the characteristics when the dielectric antenna 12 is solder-mounted on the wiring board (equivalent to the measurement board 14). The characteristics of the dielectric antenna 12 are almost the same. Therefore, in the antenna measuring apparatus 10 and the antenna measuring method according to the present embodiment, when measuring the characteristics of the dielectric antenna 12, the inspection standard at the time of mounting can be used as it is, and the alternative inspection standard as in the related art is used. There is no need to make. As a result, it is possible to effectively reduce the number of steps required for the inspection process.
[0050]
In measuring the characteristics of the dielectric antenna 12, since the inspection standard at the time of mounting can be used as it is, the antenna gain, the reflection characteristics, the directivity characteristics, and the frequency of the gain of the dielectric antenna 12 can be measured by using the transmission / reception unit 52. Even when measuring the characteristics, each inspection standard at the time of mounting can be used as it is. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately create an alternative inspection standard corresponding to each characteristic. Therefore, the antenna gain, the reflection characteristics, the directivity characteristics, and the frequency characteristics of the gain of the dielectric antenna 12 can be measured almost simultaneously by the same antenna measurement device 10, and the number of steps in the inspection process can be greatly reduced.
[0051]
In addition, since the positioning mechanism 54 (the board moving mechanism 70 and the first and second housing moving mechanisms 72 and 74) for adjusting the relative position between the measuring board 14 and the transmitting / receiving section 52 is provided, one antenna measurement is performed. The device 10 can measure dielectric antennas 12 of various sizes.
[0052]
In particular, since the plurality of columns 80 supporting the support plate 82 are made of at least a material having a low dielectric constant, the substrate moving mechanism 70 can substantially eliminate the influence of the columns 80 on the dielectric antenna 12. It is possible to prevent the resonance frequency and impedance of the dielectric antenna 12 from being shifted by the support 80 during the measurement. In the present embodiment, the column 80 is installed at a location away from the dielectric antenna 12, so that the effect of the column 80 can be further eliminated.
[0053]
In addition, the antenna measuring device and the antenna measuring method according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may adopt various configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the antenna measuring device and the antenna measuring method according to the present invention, when the dielectric antenna is placed and fixed on the measurement substrate, the influence of the fixture can be eliminated as much as possible. It can be measured by inspection standards.
[0055]
Further, the antenna gain, reflection characteristics, directivity characteristics, and frequency characteristics of the gain of the dielectric antenna can be measured almost simultaneously with one measuring device, so that the measuring equipment can be simplified and the number of steps can be effectively reduced. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an antenna measuring device according to the present embodiment as viewed from a side.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the antenna measuring device according to the present embodiment as viewed from above.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a dielectric antenna placed and fixed on a measurement substrate.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an arrangement of a support with respect to a support plate.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Antenna measuring device 12 ... Dielectric antenna 14 ... Measurement board 20 ... Dielectric substrate 22 ... Antenna pattern 24 ... Input / output terminal 30 ... Earth electrode 40 ... Fixture 42 ... Arm mechanism 50 ... Housing 52 ... Transmitter / receiver 54 ... Positioning mechanism 56 ... Network analyzer 58 ... Computer 62 ... Radio wave absorber 70 ... Substrate moving mechanism 72 ... First housing moving mechanism 74 ... Second housing moving mechanism 80 ... Support 82 ... Support plate

Claims (9)

An antenna electrode is formed on a dielectric substrate, and a characteristic of the dielectric antenna is measured with the dielectric antenna having a ground electrode formed on a part of the surface of the dielectric substrate mounted and fixed on a measurement substrate. In the antenna measuring device,
An antenna measuring apparatus, comprising: a fixture that contacts the ground electrode of the dielectric antenna and presses the dielectric antenna against the measurement substrate. The antenna measuring device according to claim 1,
A housing in which the measurement substrate is housed,
An arm mechanism for transporting the fixture,
A transmitter / receiver that is attached to or close to the housing and receives radio waves radiated from the dielectric antenna, or radiates radio waves to the dielectric antenna,
A positioning mechanism for adjusting a relative position between the measurement substrate and the transmitting and receiving unit,
An antenna measuring device, which is provided outside the housing and has an analyzing unit for analyzing a signal from the transmitting / receiving unit or a signal from a dielectric antenna. The antenna measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The alignment mechanism includes:
A substrate moving mechanism for moving the measurement substrate in an arbitrary direction,
An antenna measuring device comprising: a housing moving mechanism for moving the housing in an arbitrary direction. The antenna measuring device according to claim 3,
The substrate moving mechanism has one or more support members that support the measurement substrate,
The antenna measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one support member is made of at least a material having a low dielectric constant. The antenna measuring apparatus according to claim 4,
An antenna measuring apparatus, wherein the dielectric constant of the one or more support members is lower than the dielectric constant of a dielectric substrate of the dielectric antenna. An antenna electrode is formed on a dielectric substrate, and a characteristic of the dielectric antenna is measured with the dielectric antenna having a ground electrode formed on a part of the surface of the dielectric substrate mounted and fixed on a measurement substrate. In the antenna measurement method,
An antenna measuring method, comprising: bringing a fixture into contact with the ground electrode of the dielectric antenna, and measuring characteristics of the dielectric antenna while pressing the dielectric antenna against the substrate. The antenna measuring method according to claim 6,
Housing the measurement substrate in a housing,
The dielectric antenna is placed and fixed on the measurement substrate using the fixture,
Through a transmitting / receiving unit attached to or close to the housing, receives a radio wave radiated from the dielectric antenna, or radiates a radio wave to the dielectric antenna,
An antenna measuring method, comprising analyzing a signal from the transmitting / receiving unit or a signal from a dielectric antenna to measure characteristics of the dielectric antenna. The antenna measuring method according to claim 6 or 7,
An antenna measurement method, wherein a support member made of at least a material having a low dielectric constant is used as a support member for supporting the measurement substrate. The antenna measuring method according to claim 8,
The antenna measurement method according to claim 1, wherein a dielectric constant of the one or more support members is lower than a dielectric constant of a dielectric substrate of the dielectric antenna.

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