TWI624160B - Throughput measurement system for multiple input multiple output antennas - Google Patents

Abstract

A throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna, comprising an anechoic chamber, at least two transmit antennas, at least two antennas to be tested, a vector signal generator, a channel simulator, a vector signal analyzer, and a software defined radio mode group. The transmitting antennas in the anechoic chamber are located at different positions, and the antenna to be tested is located in the terminal device module to constitute a multiple input multiple output system. The vector signal generator provides the vector signal to the transmitting antenna through the channel simulator, and the channel simulator changes the transmitted vector signal according to the channel model. The vector signal analyzer analyzes the signal of the antenna to be tested. The software defines a radio module connection vector signal generator and a vector signal analyzer, controls a vector signal generated by the vector signal generator, and obtains a throughput of the MIMO system according to the result of the vector signal analyzer analysis. Thereby, the performance of the antenna in the system can be evaluated more specifically and quickly.

Description

Throughput measurement system for multiple input multiple output antennas

The present invention relates to an antenna measurement system, and more particularly to a throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna.

Measurement techniques for antenna radiation characteristics require good measurement environments, such as anechoic chambers and precision measuring instruments. Traditionally, antenna measurements of radiation characteristics have been limited to describing the antenna itself, regardless of antenna radiation pattern, antenna gain, antenna efficiency and directivity. In general, the radiation characteristics of the antenna are often measured in a anechoic chamber with a network analyzer, and are a comparison value of the data measured by the analysis network analyzer (compared to the reference). Standard antenna). Based on the difference in the measurement environment, the relative value and reliability of the measured data of the antenna are different. Moreover, traditionally, network analyzers can only obtain analog data parameters (such as antenna efficiency, directivity, gain), and when the antenna components are applied to the product, they must enter the measurement of the system integration stage. Previous measurement data is usually only used for initial reference and may not guarantee that there will be no problem in system application.

When an antenna is applied to a wireless product, such as a terminal device, the final test of the product or the mass production test can be generally classified into two types: a signaling test and a non-signaling test, regardless of the test. Is the product itself Receiving or transmitting wireless signals, after testing the whole machine operation, it can be determined that the antenna has the expected performance. If the test fails, it is often necessary to modify the antenna design or trace the internal circuit system or software and firmware calculation. In terms of the research and development of antenna components and system integration testing, it is necessary to integrate R&D resources more efficiently to reduce product development costs. Furthermore, current and future important multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems use more antenna components, and the complexity of antenna component performance and system integration is increasing.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna, which can perform over-the-air transmission of a multiple input multiple output antenna system in an environmentally controllable anechoic chamber (Over The Air, OTA) The throughput measurement replaces the traditional use of the network analyzer measurement method for antenna element characteristics.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna, including an anechoic chamber, at least two transmit antennas, at least two antennas to be tested, a Vector Signal Generator (VSG), and a channel. Simulator, Vector Signal Analyzer (VSA), and Software Defined Radio (SDR) modules. The at least two transmit antennas are each located at different locations within the anechoic chamber. The at least two antennas to be tested are located in the terminal device module in the anechoic chamber, and the at least two transmitting antenna units and the at least two antennas to be tested constitute a multiple input multiple output system. The vector signal generator connects at least two transmit antennas through a channel simulator, and provides at least two vector signals respectively corresponding to at least two transmit antennas to at least two transmit antennas, wherein the channel simulator changes transmission according to the channel model To the at least two transmitting antennas The at least two vector signals. The vector signal analyzer connects at least two antennas to be tested, and receives and analyzes signals from the at least two antennas to be tested. The software defines a radio module connection vector signal generator and a vector signal analyzer, controls the at least two vector signals generated by the vector signal generator, and analyzes the at least two antennas to be tested according to the vector signal analyzer The result of the signal is the throughput of the MIMO system.

In summary, the embodiments of the present invention provide a throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna, which can obtain an actual throughput that can be realized by transmitting an antenna in the air in a multiple input multiple output system to evaluate an application system. The actual channel capacity that the antenna can provide. A more specific and faster evaluation of the performance of the antenna elements in a MIMO system in a wireless communication channel can be made before the product to which the antenna is applied has not been designed.

For a better understanding of the features and technical aspects of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings The scope is subject to any restrictions.

11, 21‧‧‧ anechoic chamber

12a, 12b, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d‧‧‧ transmit antenna

13a, 13b, 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d‧‧‧ antenna to be tested

14, 24‧‧‧ Terminal device module

15, 25‧‧‧ channel simulator

16, 26‧‧‧ Vector Signal Generator

17, 27‧‧‧ Vector Signal Analyzer

18, 28‧‧‧Software definition radio module

10, 20‧‧‧Measurement platform

19, 29‧‧ Turntable

X, Y, Z‧‧‧ axes

1 is a throughput for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram of the measurement system.

2 is a swallow for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to another embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram of the throughput measurement system.

3 is a throughput for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention. A graph of the throughput measured by the measurement system.

A throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an anechoic chamber, at least two transmit antennas, at least two antennas to be tested, a vector signal generator (VSG), a channel simulator, and a vector signal analysis (VSA) and Software Defined Radio (SDR) modules. The number of the at least two transmit antennas is, for example, M, and the number of the at least two antennas to be tested is, for example, N to form an MxN multiple input multiple output system, and both M and N are positive integers not less than 2. In the following embodiment of FIG. 1, both the transmitting antenna and the antenna to be tested are two (M=2 and N=2) to form a 2x2 multiple input multiple output system. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the transmitting antenna and the antenna to be tested are each four (M=4 and N=4) to form a 4×4 multiple input multiple output system.

Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention. The throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna of FIG. 1 includes an anechoic chamber 11, two transmit antennas 12a, 12b, two antennas 13a, 13b to be tested, a vector signal generator 16, a channel simulator 15, and a vector. The signal analyzer 17 and the software defined radio module 18 are provided. The two transmitting antennas 12a, 12b are each located at different positions within the anechoic chamber 11. The two antennas 13a, 13b to be tested are located in the terminal device module 14 in the anechoic chamber 11, and the two transmitting antenna units 12a, 12b and the two antennas 13a, 13b to be tested constitute a 2x2 multiple input multiple output system. The vector signal generator 16 connects the two transmitting antennas 12a, 12b through the channel simulator 15. The vector signal analyzer 17 connects the two antennas 13a, 13b to be tested. The software definition radio module 18 is coupled to the vector signal generator 16 and the vector signal analyzer 17.

The two transmitting antennas 12a, 12b are located at different positions within the anechoic chamber 11, and the signal transmitting position of each of the transmitting antennas 12a, 12b can be fixed, also It may be variable, and is mainly determined depending on the architecture of the anechoic chamber 11. The transmitting antennas 12a, 12b shown in Fig. 1 are only for assistance in explanation, and the present invention does not limit the position of the transmitting antennas 12a, 12b in the anechoic chamber 11. In addition, the wiring of the transmitting antennas 12a, 12b and the channel simulator 15 is generally a transmission line such as a coaxial transmission line.

The vector signal generator 16 supplies two vector signals respectively corresponding to the two transmitting antennas 12a, 12b to the two transmitting antennas 12a, 12b, respectively. The two vector signals are, for example, IQ signals, but the invention does not limit the content of the vector signals. Each vector signal corresponds to one transmit antenna, and as the number of transmit antennas increases, the corresponding vector signal also increases. Moreover, preferably, the vector signal generated by the vector signal generator 15 is non-signaling, which simplifies the test procedure and shortens the test time compared to the signaling signal. The signal carrier frequencies of the two vector signals when supplied to the transmit antennas 12a, 12b are, for example, less than 6 GHz.

The terminal device module 14 in which the antennas 13a and 13b to be tested are located is, for example, a body module of a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer or a mobile phone. However, the present invention does not limit the type of the terminal device, and the appearance of the terminal device Types and functions will change more or less in response to technological developments. The so-called body module is a terminal device as a prototype of a product or a semi-finished product that has only machine components but does not yet include all the parts. The two transmitting antennas of the terminal device module located in the anechoic chamber 11 are preferably disposed in two antenna regions (not shown) of the terminal device module, and each antenna region is provided with one antenna to be tested. (13a or 13b). In order to improve the performance of the multi-input multi-output antenna, the terminal device module 14 not only needs to design the antenna itself, but also the area (or position) where each antenna is located has a considerable influence on the performance. Even if the same antenna element structure is installed in different antenna areas of the same terminal device (module), the throughput obtained by measurement may be significantly different. When the terminal device module is to be tested The more the number of antennas, the more the antenna area of the terminal device module may exceed two. For example, there are three antennas to be tested (N=3), there may be three antenna areas, eight antennas to be tested (N=8), and eight antenna areas, but the invention is not limited thereto.

The terminal device 14 can be installed in the turntable 19 in the anechoic chamber 11, and the angles of the antennas 13a and 13b to be tested with respect to the transmitting antennas 12a and 12b can be varied, and throughput data of different directions can be obtained. However, the present invention does not limit that the terminal device 14 having the antennas 13a, 13b to be tested must be disposed on the turntable 19. For the angle of the antennas 13a, 13b to be tested relative to the transmitting antennas 12a, 12b to be variable, for example, the transmitting antenna 12a may be provided. 12b rotates with the terminal device module 14 as the center of the circle, and the same purpose can be achieved.

The channel simulator 15 varies the two vector signals transmitted to the two transmitting antennas 12a, 12b in accordance with the channel model. Because the ideal anechoic chamber 11 does not reflect electromagnetic wave signals, in order to simulate the multi-transmission and multi-output system performance in practical applications in various places and spaces, the channel model can be changed (or replaced) and can be controlled in the environment (no reflection in the anechoic chamber and In the case of no external noise interference, throughput data corresponding to various practical applications is obtained. Therefore, the present invention does not limit the type of channel model used. The channel model may be a channel model published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), or a channel model estimated by academic theory, or may be based on actual conditions. A channel model produced by measuring the actual channel environmental parameters in the field. In addition, the present invention does not limit the type of connection circuit between the channel simulator 15 and the vector signal generator 16, and the circuit required for the vector signal before being converted into a radio frequency signal (for example, a fundamental frequency signal) and the latter two is Depending on the frequency of the signal, the nature of the vector signal is preserved for the equivalent change or change in system integration, and may be independent of the type of circuit used.

Vector signal analyzer 17 receives and analyzes from the two to be tested The signals of the antennas 13a, 13b. The wiring of the vector signal analyzer 17 and the antennas 13a, 13b to be tested can generally use a coaxial line, but is not limited thereto. The software definition radio module 18 controls the two vector signals generated by the vector signal generator 16 and analyzes the results of the signals from the two antennas 13a, 13b according to the vector signal analyzer 17 to obtain a MIMO system. Throughput. The software definition radio module 18 can be, for example, built into a computer system and connected to the vector signal generator 16 and the vector signal analyzer 17 to form the measurement platform 10. However, the present invention does not limit the software definition radio module 18 and the vector. The connection between the signal generator 16 and the vector signal analyzer 17 is integrated with the system. The channel simulator 15 can be a module independent of the measurement platform 10 or integrated into the measurement platform 10.

Next, please refer to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to another embodiment of the present invention. The throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna of FIG. 2 includes an anechoic chamber 21, four transmitting antennas 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, four antennas to be tested 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, a vector signal generator 26. Channel simulator 25, vector signal analyzer 27, and software defined radio module 28. The four transmitting antennas 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d are each located at different positions within the anechoic chamber 21. The four antennas 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d are located in the terminal device module 24 in the anechoic chamber 21, and the four transmitting antenna units 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d and the four antennas 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d are formed. 4x4 multi-input multi-output system. The vector signal generator 26 connects the four transmitting antennas 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d through the channel simulator 25. The vector signal analyzer 27 connects four antennas 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d to be tested. The software definition radio module 28 is coupled to the vector signal generator 26 and the vector signal analyzer 27. The terminal device module 24 is disposed on the turntable 29.

Four transmitting antennas 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, four antennas to be tested 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, the vector signal generator 26, the channel simulator 25, the vector signal analyzer 27, and the software-defined radio module 28 can be referred to the description of the previous embodiment, and will not be described again. Another major difference between the embodiment of Figure 2 and the embodiment of Figure 1 is that the software-defined radio module 28 is connected and can control the channel simulator 25 to change the channel model used by the channel simulator 25. Moreover, the software definition radio module 28 can be integrated into the measurement platform 20 not only with the vector signal generator 16 and the vector signal analyzer 17, but also the channel simulator 25 can be incorporated from the independent module into the measurement platform 20. . Moreover, in another embodiment, based on the description of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and the embodiment of FIG. 2, it can be derived into an 8x8 multiple input multiple output system, or even more multiple input multiple output systems with input and output ports.

Referring again to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is an example of throughput data measured by the embodiment of FIG. 2. Through the horizontal 29 degree (X-Y plane) rotation of the turntable 29, it can be measured that the throughput value (Mbps) is more or less changed with the angle. Such throughput maps have more specific performance evaluation functions for multi-input and multi-output antenna designs than antenna conventional radiation pattern, antenna efficiency, and sensitivity data. Because the theoretical channel capacity of a multi-input and multi-output system is usually unattainable, the throughput data that can be achieved by the actual measured antenna can reflect the channel capacity of the real application environment.

In summary, the throughput measurement system for multiple input multiple output antennas provided by the embodiments of the present invention obtains the actual throughput that can be realized by the antenna in the MIMO system in the MIMO system to evaluate the application system. The true channel capacity that the antenna can provide. A more specific and faster evaluation of the performance of the antenna elements in a MIMO system in a wireless communication channel can be made before the product to which the antenna is applied has not been designed.

The above description is only an embodiment of the present invention, which is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the invention patent.

Claims (10)

A throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna, comprising: an anechoic chamber; at least two transmit antennas, each located at different positions in the anechoic chamber; at least two antennas to be tested, located in the anechoic chamber a terminal device module, the at least two transmitting antennas and the at least two antennas to be tested constitute a multiple input multiple output system; a channel simulator; a vector signal generator (VSG), through which the channel simulator is connected Having at least two transmit antennas, respectively providing at least two vector signals respectively corresponding to the at least two transmit antennas to the at least two transmit antennas, wherein the channel simulator transmits to the at least two according to a channel model Transmitting the at least two vector signals of the antenna; a vector signal analyzer (VSA) connecting the at least two antennas to be tested, receiving and analyzing signals from the at least two antennas to be tested; and a software defined radio (SDR) a module that connects the vector signal generator and the vector signal analyzer to control the at least two vector signals generated by the vector signal generator, and According to the vector signal analyzer analyzes the signal from the at least two results of the testing antenna to obtain a certain view of the multi-input multi-output system of a certain value as the angle is changed. The throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to claim 1, wherein the at least two vector signals generated by the vector signal generator are non-signaling. The throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to claim 1, wherein the software definition radio module is connected and controls the channel simulator to change the channel model. The throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to claim 1, wherein the number of the at least two transmit antennas is M, and the number of the at least two antennas to be tested is N, The MxN multi-input multi-output system is constructed, and both M and N are positive integers of not less than 2. A throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to claim 4, wherein M = 4, N = 4 to constitute a 4x4 multiple input multiple output system. A throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to claim 4, wherein M = 8, N = 8, to constitute an 8x8 multiple input multiple output system. The throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device module is a body module of a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer or a mobile phone. The throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to claim 7, wherein the at least two antennas to be tested are respectively disposed in at least two antenna regions of the terminal device module. The throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is assembled in a turntable in the anechoic chamber. A throughput measurement system for a multiple input multiple output antenna according to claim 1, wherein the at least two vector signals are IQ signals.