TWI674416B - An automatic system for antenna measurement - Google Patents

Abstract

An automated system for measuring antennas includes an anechoic chamber, a measuring bracket, a standard antenna, and a control unit. The measurement support is disposed in the anechoic chamber and includes a fixed base and a slide rail unit. The fixing base is disposed on a bottom plate of the anechoic chamber. The slide rail unit includes a circular arc track and a sliding member. The arc track is connected to the fixed seat. The circular arc track can be rotated from 0 degrees to 360 degrees with respect to the fixed base. The sliding member can slide along the arc track. The standard antenna is disposed on the sliding member. The control unit is electrically connected to the measurement support, the antenna under test and the standard antenna. The control unit controls a horizontal angle of rotation of the arc track relative to the fixed base, and controls the sliding member to slide to a preset position on the arc track, and measures the antenna of the antenna under test through the standard antenna. Gain.

Description

Automation system for measuring antennas

The invention relates to a system that can automatically measure the gain of an antenna and construct a hemispherical radiation field pattern.

Referring to FIG. 1, the prior art antenna measurement system is to install a high-directional antenna 12 and a rotating base 13 in an anechoic chamber 11, and then place an antenna under test 14 on the rotating base 13. The rotation base 13 has a function of rotating 360 degrees around the Z axis, and the high directional antenna 12 has a function of manually adjusting the rotation around ± 90 degrees about the X axis. The highly directional antenna 12 and the antenna 14 to be tested are used to receive and transmit an electromagnetic wave, respectively, and the antenna 214 to be tested is rotated 360 degrees around the Z axis through the rotation base 13 to measure the XY plane. Two-dimensional radiation field type.

The disadvantages of this prior art are: manual manual is inaccurate and time consuming. The reason is that this system requires manual adjustment of the placement of the high-directional antenna 12 and the antenna under test 14. Each time (the rotation base 13 rotates 360 degrees around the Z axis once is called one time), it can only be measured. A two-dimensional plane radiation field pattern. If N two-dimensional plane radiation field patterns are to be used to construct a three-dimensional radiation field pattern, it is necessary to manually manually adjust the tilt angle of the antenna 14 to be tested N times. After measuring N times.

Since the known antenna measurement system has the aforementioned problems, it is necessary to develop a system that can automatically measure the performance of the antenna in order to improve research and development efficiency and avoid human error.

The automated system for measuring an antenna of the present invention is suitable for measuring an antenna to be measured. The antenna to be measured includes a main radiation surface. The system includes an anechoic chamber, a measurement bracket, a standard antenna, and a control unit. The anechoic chamber includes a top plate and a bottom plate opposite to the top plate. The antenna to be tested is disposed close to the top plate, and the main radiation surface of the antenna to be tested is disposed toward the bottom plate. The measuring bracket is disposed in the anechoic chamber and includes a fixed base and a slide rail unit. The fixed base is disposed on the bottom plate of the anechoic chamber. The slide rail unit includes a corresponding arc track and a sliding member. The arc track is connected to the fixed seat, and the arc track can rotate from 0 to 360 degrees with respect to the fixed seat, and the sliding member can slide along the arc track. The standard antenna is disposed on the sliding member. The control unit is electrically connected to the measurement bracket, the antenna under test and the standard antenna. The control unit controls a horizontal angle of rotation of the arc track relative to the fixed base, and controls the sliding member to slide onto the arc track. A preset position, and the antenna gain of the antenna under test is measured by transmitting and receiving a preset electromagnetic wave corresponding to the antenna under test and the standard antenna.

Preferably, the arc angle of the circular arc track is substantially π / 2.

Preferably, the arc angle of the circular arc track is substantially π.

Preferably, the projections of the antenna under test and the fixed base in a normal direction of the base plate overlap.

Preferably, the top plate of the anechoic chamber has an opening, and the anechoic chamber further includes a window. The inner surface of the window is used to attach the antenna to be tested. The internal and external space of the room communicates through the opening, and when the window is closed, the opening of the top plate is covered by the window, and the main radiation surface of the antenna to be tested faces the bottom plate of the anechoic chamber.

Preferably, the control unit also records and uses a plurality of groups of the horizontal angle, the preset position, and the antenna gain to construct a hemispherical radiation field pattern of the antenna under test.

Preferably, the control unit includes a radio frequency signal generator, a signal feeding fixture, a spectrum analyzer, and a computer. The radio frequency signal generator outputs a radio frequency output signal of a preset size. The signal feeding fixture is electrically connected to the radio frequency signal generator to receive the radio frequency output signal, and has a probe and a camera lens. The camera lens is disposed toward the probe to assist in observing the image of the probe. Touching the antenna under test to transmit the RF output signal to the antenna under test, the antenna under test receives the RF output signal and converts it into the electromagnetic wave, and the standard antenna receives the electromagnetic wave and converts it into a radio frequency receiving signal. The spectrum analyzer is electrically connected to the standard antenna to receive the RF receiving signal, and measures the amplitude of the RF receiving signal. The computer is electrically connected to the spectrum analyzer to obtain the amplitude of the RF receiving signal, and according to the amplitude of the RF receiving signal, the antenna gain of the standard antenna, the distance between the standard antenna and the antenna under test, and the signal feed The path loss into the fixture is used to calculate the antenna gain of the antenna under test, and the hemispherical radiation field pattern of the antenna under test is constructed.

Preferably, the control unit includes a radio frequency signal generator, a signal feeding fixture, a spectrum analyzer, and a computer. The radio frequency signal generator outputs a radio frequency output signal of a preset size. The standard antenna is electrically connected to the radio frequency signal generator to receive the radio frequency output signal and convert it into the electromagnetic wave. The antenna under test receives the electromagnetic wave and converts it into a radio frequency reception signal. . The signal feeding fixture has a probe and a camera lens. The camera lens is disposed toward the probe to assist in observing the image of the probe. The probe is used to touch the antenna under test to receive the radio frequency receiving signal. number. The spectrum analyzer is electrically connected to the probe to receive the RF receiving signal, and measures the amplitude of the RF receiving signal. The computer is electrically connected to the spectrum analyzer to obtain the amplitude of the RF receiving signal, and according to the amplitude of the RF receiving signal, the antenna gain of the standard antenna, the distance between the standard antenna and the antenna under test, and the signal feed The path loss into the fixture is used to calculate the antenna gain of the antenna under test, and the hemispherical radiation field pattern of the antenna under test is constructed.

Preferably, the standard antenna is one of an off-set antenna, a waveguide antenna, a leaky wave antenna, a horn antenna, and an array antenna. Either.

The effect of the present invention is to use the control unit to automatically control the measurement bracket to move the standard antenna to a plurality of preset positions on a hemispherical surface to measure the antenna gain of the antenna under test, and use the computer to construct a hemispherical surface. The radiation field type eliminates the disadvantages of manual measurement.

11‧‧‧ Anechoic Chamber

12‧‧‧standard antenna

13‧‧‧Swivel base

14‧‧‧Antenna to be tested

2‧‧‧Antenna to be tested

21‧‧‧ main radiation surface

3‧‧‧ Anechoic Chamber

31‧‧‧Top plate

311‧‧‧ opening

32‧‧‧ floor

33‧‧‧Side

34‧‧‧ windows

35‧‧‧ electromagnetic wave absorber

4‧‧‧Measurement bracket

41‧‧‧Fixed

42‧‧‧Slide unit

421‧‧‧arc orbit

422‧‧‧Sliding parts

423‧‧‧ Counterweight

5‧‧‧standard antenna

51‧‧‧Speaker radiating element

52‧‧‧Disc Mirror

6‧‧‧Control unit

61‧‧‧RF signal generator

62‧‧‧Signal feeding fixture

621‧‧‧ Probe

622‧‧‧ camera lens

63‧‧‧Spectrum Analyzer

64‧‧‧Computer

A‧‧‧ arc center point

Z‧‧‧ direction

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first preferred embodiment of an automated system for measuring antennas according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the first preferred embodiment, illustrating one embodiment of the control unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the first preferred embodiment, illustrating another embodiment of the control unit.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a practical implementation of a standard antenna; 施 WAY.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention including a counterweight.

Referring to FIG. 2, an automated system for measuring antennas according to the present invention is suitable for measuring the antenna gain of an antenna 2 to be tested and constructing a hemispherical radiation field pattern of the antenna 2 to be tested. The antenna 2 to be tested includes a main Radiation surface 21. The first preferred embodiment of the system includes an anechoic chamber 3, a measurement bracket 4, a standard antenna 5, and a control unit 6.

The shape of the anechoic chamber 3 is substantially a hollow rectangular parallelepiped, which includes a top plate 31, a bottom plate 32 opposite to the top plate 31, four side plates 33 connecting the top plate 31 and the bottom plate 32, and a window 34.

The top plate 31, the side plates 33, and the bottom plate 32 are attached with a plurality of electromagnetic wave absorbers 35, and the top plate 31 has an opening 311, which is located approximately at the geometric center of the top plate 31.

The inner surface of the window 34 is used to attach the antenna 2 to be tested. When the window 34 is opened, the inner and outer spaces of the anechoic chamber 3 communicate through the opening 311. When the window 34 is closed, the opening 311 of the top plate 31 is closed. The window 34 is covered, and the main radiating surface 21 is a bottom plate 32 facing the anechoic chamber 3.

The measurement support 4 is disposed in the anechoic chamber 3 and includes a fixing base 41 and a slide rail unit 42.

The fixed base 41 is disposed at the geometric center of the bottom plate 32 of the anechoic chamber 3, and the projections of the antenna 2 to be tested and the fixed base 41 in a normal direction Z of the bottom plate overlap.

The slide rail unit 42 includes a corresponding arc track 421 and a sliding member. 422. By way of example, the sliding member 422 and the arc track 421 are an inner rail and an outer rail of a group of slide rails, respectively.

The arc track 421 is connected to the fixed seat 41, and the arc track 421 can be rotated 360 degrees with respect to the fixed seat 41, for example, rotated by ψ degrees (ψ = 0 ~ 360 degrees around the Z direction in FIG. 2) ), The sliding member 422 can slide along the arc track 421, and since the arc angle of the arc track 421 is substantially π / 2 (90 degrees), the sliding member 422 has a circle around the arc track 421 The function of rotating the arc center point A by θ degrees (θ = 0 ~ 90 degrees).

The standard antenna 5 is disposed on the sliding member 422.

The control unit 6 is electrically connected to the measurement bracket 4, the antenna 2 to be tested and the standard antenna 5. The control unit 6 controls the horizontal angle ψ that the arc track 421 rotates relative to the fixed seat 41, and controls the sliding member 422 to slide to a preset position on the arc track 421 (the preset position is related to the arc The angle θ of the rotation of the center point A), and the antenna gain G of the antenna 2 to be measured is measured by transmitting and receiving a preset electromagnetic wave corresponding to the antenna 2 and the standard antenna 5. The control unit 6 also records and uses multiple sets of horizontal angles ψ, the preset position θ of the standard antenna 5 on the arc track 421, and the antenna gain G of the antenna 2 to construct the antenna 2 Hemispherical radiation field type.

The construction method of the hemispherical radiation field type is explained in more detail below. Since the standard antenna 5 is linked by the sliding member 422, and regardless of the sliding member 422 sliding to any position on the arc track 421, the standard antenna 5 and the The distance between the antennas 2 to be tested is kept fixed, and the relative angle between the standard antenna 5 and the antenna 2 to be tested varies within a range of ψ = 0 ~ 360 degrees and θ = 0 ~ 90 degrees. In addition, the spatial coordinates of any point on a preset hemisphere with a fixed radius of R can be defined by (R, ψ = 0 ~ 360, θ = 0 ~ 90), so the location of the standard antenna 5 (R , ψ, θ) and the antenna gain G , so as to know the antenna gain of the antenna 2 under different angles, and then construct the hemispherical radiation field pattern of the antenna 2 (ψ = 0 ~ 360, θ = 0 ~ 90, G), where the parameter R is a fixed value, so it can be ignored when constructing the radiation field pattern, as long as three parameters (ψ, θ, G ) are retained.

Referring to FIG. 3, it is used to describe an embodiment of the control unit 6 when the antenna 2 to be tested is used as a transmitting antenna and the standard antenna 5 is used as a receiving antenna.

The control unit 6 includes a radio frequency signal generator 61, a signal feeding fixture 62, a spectrum analyzer 63, and a computer 64.

The radio frequency signal generator 61 outputs a radio frequency output signal of a preset size.

The signal feeding fixture 62 is electrically connected to the radio frequency signal generator 61 to receive the radio frequency output signal, and has a probe 621 and a camera lens 622. The camera lens 622 is disposed toward the probe 621 to assist in observing the probe 621. Image, the probe 621 is used to touch the antenna 2 under test to transmit the RF output signal to the antenna 2 under test. The antenna 2 under test receives the RF output signal and converts it into electromagnetic waves. The standard antenna 5 receives The electromagnetic wave is converted into a radio frequency receiving signal.

The spectrum analyzer 63 is electrically connected to the standard antenna 5 to receive the RF receiving signal, and measures the amplitude of the RF receiving signal. In practical applications, the spectrum analyzer 63 can also be replaced with a network analyzer.

The computer 64 is electrically connected to the spectrum analyzer 63 to receive the amplitude of the RF receiving signal, and according to the amplitude of the RF receiving signal, the antenna gain of the standard antenna 5, and the distance between the standard antenna 5 and the antenna 2 to be tested And the path loss of the signal feeding fixture 62 to calculate the antenna gain G of the antenna 2 to be tested, and to construct a hemispherical radiation field pattern (ψ, θ, G ) of the antenna 2 to be tested.

Referring to FIG. 4, it is used to describe another embodiment of the control unit 6 when the standard antenna 5 is used as a transmitting antenna and the antenna under test 2 is used as a receiving antenna.

The radio frequency signal generator 61 outputs a radio frequency output signal of a preset size.

The standard antenna 5 is electrically connected to the radio frequency signal generator 61 to receive the radio frequency output signal and convert it into the electromagnetic wave, and the antenna 2 to be tested receives the electromagnetic wave and converts it into a radio frequency reception signal.

The signal feeding fixture 62 includes a probe 621 and a camera lens 622. The camera lens 622 is disposed toward the probe 621 to assist in observing the image of the probe 621, and the probe 621 is used to touch the antenna 2 to be tested to receive the radio frequency receiving signal.

The spectrum analyzer 63 is electrically connected to the probe 621 to receive the RF receiving signal, and measures the amplitude of the RF receiving signal.

The computer 64 is electrically connected to the spectrum analyzer 63 to obtain the amplitude of the RF receiving signal, and calculates the antenna gain G of the antenna 2 to be tested and constructs a hemispherical radiation field pattern of the antenna 2 to be tested.

The calculation method of the antenna gain G of the antenna 2 to be tested is supplementarily explained as the power P1 of the RF output signal output by the signal generator 61 is known, and the standard antenna 5 is also a known antenna (known gain), so The power P2 of the electromagnetic wave radiated by the standard antenna 5 after receiving the RF output signal can be calculated, and the path distance traveled by the electromagnetic wave is fixed, so the power P3 when the electromagnetic wave reaches the antenna 2 to be tested can be calculated. In addition, the spectrum analyzer 63 can measure the power P4 of the RF receiving signal. The difference between the power P4 and the power P3 is both the gain of the antenna 2 to be tested and the path loss of the signal feeding the fixture 62. Caused, and the path loss is known (measured by tools such as a network analyzer), so the path loss can be compensated, so the antenna gain G of the antenna 2 to be tested is finally calculated.

Referring to FIG. 5, it is a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to the first preferred embodiment. The difference is that the arc angle of the arc track 421 is substantially π (180 degrees), so the sliding The component 422 has a function of rotating θ = 0 ~ ± 90 degrees about the arc center point A of the arc track 421, and the arc track 421 can perform a rotation function of ψ = 0 ~ 180 degrees with respect to the fixed seat 41.

Referring to FIG. 6, it is a schematic diagram of the standard antenna 5 using an off-set antenna. The standard antenna 5 has a horn radiating element 51 and a dish-shaped mirror 52. The control unit 6 is electrically connected to the The horn radiating element 51 of the standard antenna 5 is itself a horn antenna. In addition, the standard antenna 5 may also be a waveguide antenna, leaky wave antenna, horn antenna, array antenna, or other antenna with high directivity characteristics. Types of.

Referring to FIG. 7, the slide rail unit 42 further includes a weight 423 connected to the arc track 421. The function of the weight 423 is to reduce the jitter generated when the slide rail unit 42 rotates at a high speed.

To sum up, the above-mentioned preferred embodiment has the following advantages: the measurement bracket 4 is used to link the standard antenna 5 with multiple spatial points on a hemisphere to perform automated antenna gain measurement on the antenna 2 to be tested, and The computer 64 is used to construct the hemispherical radiation field pattern of the antenna 2 to be tested, which not only eliminates the time-consuming manual operation but also reduces the manual operation error, thereby solving the previous problem. Disadvantages of technology.

However, the above are only examples of the present invention. When the scope of implementation of the present invention cannot be limited by this, any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the content of the patent specification of the present invention are still Within the scope of the invention patent.

Claims (10)

An automated system for measuring an antenna is suitable for measuring an antenna under test. The antenna under test includes a main radiating surface. The system includes an anechoic chamber including a top plate and a bottom plate opposite to the top plate. The antenna to be tested is arranged close to the top plate, and the main radiation surface of the antenna to be tested is arranged toward the bottom plate; a measuring bracket is arranged in the anechoic chamber, and includes a fixed base and a slide rail unit, the fixed base is arranged On the bottom plate of the anechoic chamber, the slide rail unit includes a corresponding arc track and a sliding member, the arc track is connected to the fixed seat, and the arc track can be 0 degrees to 360 degrees relative to the fixed seat. Degree of rotation, the sliding member can slide along the arc track; a standard antenna, a sliding member provided on the slide rail unit; and a control unit, electrically connected to the measurement bracket, the antenna to be tested and the standard antenna , The control unit controls a horizontal angle of rotation of the arc track relative to the fixed base, and controls the sliding member to slide to a preset position on the arc track, and passes the antenna under test and the standard The antenna correspondingly transmits and receives a preset electromagnetic wave to measure the antenna gain of the antenna under test. The automated system for measuring an antenna according to item 1 of the application, wherein the arc angle of the circular orbit is substantially π / 2. The automated system for measuring an antenna according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the arc angle of the circular arc track is substantially π. According to the automated system for measuring antennas according to item 1 of the scope of the patent application, the projections of the antenna under test and the fixed base in a normal direction of the base plate overlap. The automated system for measuring antennas according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the top plate of the anechoic chamber has an opening, the anechoic chamber further includes a window, and the inner surface of the window is used to attach the antenna to be tested. When the window is opened, the inner and outer spaces of the anechoic chamber communicate through the opening, and when the window is closed, the opening of the top plate is covered by the window, and the main radiation surface of the antenna to be tested faces the bottom plate of the anechoic chamber. The automated system for measuring antennas according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the control unit also records and uses multiple sets of the horizontal angle, a preset position where the standard antenna is located on the circular orbit, and the to-be-measured The antenna gain of the antenna constructs the hemispherical radiation field pattern of the antenna under test. The automated system for measuring antennas according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the control unit includes: a radio frequency signal generator that outputs a radio frequency output signal of a preset size; a signal fed into a fixture to electrically connect the radio frequency signal The generator receives the radio frequency output signal, and has a probe and a camera lens, the camera lens is arranged toward the probe to assist in observing the image of the probe, and the probe is used to touch the antenna to be tested to The RF output signal is passed to the antenna under test. The antenna under test receives the radio frequency output signal and converts it into the electromagnetic wave. The standard antenna receives the electromagnetic wave and converts it into a radio frequency reception signal. A spectrum analyzer is electrically connected to the standard antenna to receive the radio frequency reception signal and measures the radio frequency reception. The amplitude of the signal; and a computer, electrically connected to the spectrum analyzer to obtain the amplitude of the RF receiving signal, and according to the amplitude of the RF receiving signal, the antenna gain of the standard antenna, and the distance between the standard antenna and the antenna under test The distance and the path loss of the signal fed into the fixture together calculate the antenna gain of the antenna under test, and construct a hemispherical radiation field pattern of the antenna under test. The automated system for measuring antennas according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the control unit includes: a radio frequency signal generator that outputs a radio frequency output signal of a preset size, and the standard antenna is electrically connected to the radio frequency signal generator to Receives the RF output signal and converts it into the electromagnetic wave, the antenna under test receives the electromagnetic wave and converts it into a RF receiving signal; a signal feeds into the fixture, has a probe and a camera lens, and the camera lens is set towards the probe to assist Observe the image of the probe, which is used to touch the antenna under test to receive the radio frequency reception signal; a spectrum analyzer, which is electrically connected to the probe to receive the radio frequency reception signal, and measures the radio frequency reception signal. Amplitude; and a computer, electrically connected to the spectrum analyzer to obtain the amplitude of the radio frequency received signal, and according to the amplitude of the radio frequency received signal, the antenna of the standard antenna The line gain, the distance from the standard antenna to the antenna under test, and the path loss of the signal feeding fixture together calculate the antenna gain of the antenna under test, and construct a hemispherical radiation field pattern of the antenna under test. An automated system for measuring antennas according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the standard antenna is an off-set antenna, a waveguide antenna, a leaky wave antenna, and a horn Either a horn antenna or an array antenna. According to the automated system for measuring antennas according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, the slide rail unit further includes a counterweight connected to the arc track.