WO2023216595A1

WO2023216595A1 - Test system for active antenna

Info

Publication number: WO2023216595A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/140353
Authority: WO
Inventors: 何森; 许正一
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2022-05-12
Filing date: 2022-12-20
Publication date: 2023-11-16
Also published as: CN117092416A

Abstract

A test system for an active antenna, the test system comprising: a rotating platform module (10), which is fitted with an active antenna unit (AAU) to be tested, and is configured to drive the AAU to rotate; and a test antenna module (20), which comprises a test antenna and an adjusting assembly, and is configured to adjust a pointing direction and a polarization direction of the test antenna, such that the test antenna is aligned with a radio-frequency radiation direction of the AAU.

Description

Active antenna test system

Cross-references to related applications

This disclosure claims priority to Chinese patent application CN202210519039.9 titled "Test System for Active Antennas" filed on May 12, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated into this disclosure by reference.

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a test system for active antennas.

Background technique

In related technologies, the antenna and RRU (Remote Radio Unit) of the base station antenna system are separated from each other. The relatively independent performances of the antenna and RRU do not affect each other, and their respective performances can be verified through independent tests. The integrated active antenna is the integration of the antenna and the RRU. On the one hand, interference factors such as electromagnetic coupling and active standing waves cannot be completely eliminated; on the other hand, the calibration and amplitude and phase weighting of the active antenna are performed through a link on each radio frequency channel. The combination of a series of active devices is very different from the way in which passive antenna arrays perform amplitude and phase weighting through passive power dividing networks. Therefore, for 5G base stations that use massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output, Multiple Input Multiple Output) active antenna technology, the integrated OTA test method can effectively reflect its radiation performance indicators.

Contents of the invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a test system for active antennas.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an active antenna testing system is provided, including: a turntable module equipped with an active antenna unit AAU to be tested to drive the AAU to rotate; a test antenna module including a test Antenna and adjustment components to adjust the pointing and polarization direction of the test antenna so that the test antenna is aligned with the radio frequency radiation direction of the AAU.

Description of the drawings

The drawings described here are used to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure and their descriptions are used to explain the present disclosure and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present disclosure. In the attached picture:

Figure 1 is a structural diagram of a test system for an active antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a turntable module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a test antenna module in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 is a schematic front view of the overall structure of the OTA test solution in the embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 5 is a top view of OTA testing in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed ways

The present disclosure will be described in detail below in conjunction with embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, as long as there is no conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be combined with each other.

It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the description and claims of the present disclosure and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

The OTA (Over-the-Air Technology) test of the integrated active antenna requires near-field testing or far-field testing in a microwave anechoic chamber. Near-field testing and far-field testing each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The near-field test can give a 3D directional pattern in a single test and has high testing efficiency. However, the current RF radiation test results obtained after near-far conversion are still different from the far-field test results. There is a large gap and the accuracy of the test results cannot be ensured. Far-field testing is the most direct test method. When the test distance is greater than the judgment basis d=2D^2/λ, the incident wave is similar to a plane wave on the receiving surface, and the beamforming pattern of the integrated active antenna can be directly obtained. And OTA indicators such as EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power) and EIS (Equivalent Isotropic Sensitivity). However, in the far-field test, a single receiving horn is used to rotate the antenna under test for one revolution to obtain a section of the antenna radiation sphere, so the test efficiency is low. Especially for multi-beam integrated active antennas using Massive MIMO, whose multiple beams work in different directions, traditional far-field testing methods will undoubtedly be very time-consuming and laborious, affecting test efficiency, which is its shortcoming.

In view of the above-mentioned problems existing in related technologies, the technical solution of the present disclosure is proposed.

Example 1

In this embodiment, an active antenna test system is provided. Figure 1 is a structural diagram of an active antenna test system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, the system includes a turntable module 10 and a test system. Antenna module 20.

The turntable module 10 is equipped with an active antenna unit AAU (Active Antenna Unit) to be tested, which can drive the AAU to rotate. Optionally, the AAU can be axially rotated along a fixed axis at different height positions.

The test antenna module 20 includes a test antenna and an adjustment component, which can adjust the pointing and polarization direction of the test antenna so that the test antenna is aligned with the radio frequency radiation direction of the AAU.

This embodiment can be applied in a test environment of far-field testing. In some instances, the AAU includes beams in multiple directions. The pointing and polarization directions of the test antennas are adjusted so that the test antennas are aligned with the beam direction of the AAU. The number of test antennas is the same as the number of AAU beams. The receiving direction of the test antennas is The same radiation direction as the AAU beam.

Through the above system including a turntable module and a test antenna module, the turntable module is equipped with an active antenna unit AAU to be tested to drive the AAU to rotate. The test antenna module includes a test antenna and an adjustment component to adjust the pointing and polarization direction of the test antenna. , so that the test antenna is aligned with the radio frequency radiation direction of the AAU, the turntable module and the test antenna module can cooperate with each other in space, and at the same time can simulate the OTA indicator situation close to the actual communication between the user and the communication base station, solving the related technology The technical problem of low efficiency in testing AAU has been improved by improving the OTA testing efficiency of multi-beam integrated active antennas.

Optionally, the turntable module includes a horizontal driving component and a height driving component. The horizontal driving component can drive the AAU to rotate in the horizontal direction; the height driving component can adjust the height of the AAU in the vertical direction.

In some implementations of this embodiment, the horizontal drive assembly includes: a product fixed platform, fixedly connected to the AAU; a bottom turntable, fixed to the turntable module; a transmission rod, connected between the product fixed platform and the bottom turntable, and connected to the product fixed platform It is connected with the bottom turntable to form a transmission connection mechanism, which drives the fixed platform of the product to rotate in the horizontal direction, thereby driving the AAU to rotate in the horizontal direction.

In some implementations of this embodiment, the height driving assembly includes: a product support rod, which supports the AAU in the vertical direction; a cylinder, which is connected to the product support rod and can adjust the height of the product support rod, thereby linking the vertical adjustment of the AAU. Height in straight direction.

The turntable module adopts the structure of cylinder and support rod to make the height adjustment smooth and precise.

Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a turntable module in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The turntable module includes: a product fixing platform 10, a transmission rod 11, a support rod 12, a cylinder 13, a bottom turntable 14, and a product to be tested 15 (in this embodiment middle finger AUU), calibration horn antenna 16 and radio frequency connector 17. The product fixed platform, transmission rod and bottom turntable are connected to form a transmission connection, which can drive the product fixed turntable to rotate horizontally. The product support rod and cylinder combination can support height adjustment, power supply and control. The component is connected to the bottom turntable, calibration horn antenna and RF connector; a standard antenna is used during the calibration horn antenna test process, and the standard antenna provides a reference signal during the test process.

In some examples of this embodiment, the test antenna module includes a horizontal test component and a vertical test component. The horizontal test component includes a first test antenna group in a horizontal direction and a first adjustment component. The first adjustment component adjusts the pointing and polarization direction of the first test antenna group in the horizontal direction. The first test antenna group includes a plurality of first test antennas. Receiving antennas, each first receiving antenna covers an angular range in the horizontal direction. The vertical test component includes a second test antenna group in the vertical direction and a second adjustment component. The second adjustment component adjusts the pointing and polarization direction of the second test antenna group in the vertical direction, wherein the second test antenna group includes multiple and two second receiving antennas, each of which covers a latitude range of the sphere.

The test antenna module can be adjusted in four dimensions: X, Z direction and test antenna pointing angle, making it easy to debug different products.

Optionally, the first adjustment component includes: a first horizontal slide rail and a first horizontal angle adjustment slider, the first test antenna group is installed on the first angle adjustment slider, and the first angle adjustment slider is connected to the first angle adjustment slider. The locking knob on the first slide rail cooperates to adjust the fixed position of the first test antenna group in the horizontal direction through the first slide rail.

Optionally, the second adjustment component includes: a second slide rail in the vertical direction and a second angle adjustment slider in the vertical direction, the second test antenna group is installed on the second angle adjustment slider, the second angle adjustment slider The block cooperates with the locking knob on the second slide rail to adjust the fixed position of the second test antenna group in the vertical direction through the second slide rail.

Optionally, the test antenna module also includes: a support column, a height adjustment rod, and an angle adjustment base. The support column is fixed on the angle adjustment base. The height adjustment rod is movably installed on the support column. The second adjustment component is fixed on the height adjustment base. On the adjustment rod, the height adjustment rod is movably connected with the angle adjustment base.

Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the test antenna module in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The test antenna module includes: support column 18, X-direction test antenna group 19, X-direction slide rail and angle adjustment slider 20, Z-direction test antenna group 21 , Z-direction slide rail and angle adjustment slider 22, height adjustment rod 23, and angle adjustment base 24. The support column is fixed on the angle adjustment base, the height adjustment rod is movably mounted on the support column, the Z-direction slide rail is fixed on the height adjustment rod, the X-direction slide rail is movably connected to the Z-direction slide rail, and the angle adjustment slider It is movably installed on the slide rail, the height adjustment rod is movably connected to the angle adjustment seat, and the test antenna group is installed on the angle adjustment slider. Among them, the X direction refers to the horizontal direction of the earth coordinate system, and the Z direction refers to the vertical direction of the earth coordinate system.

In some implementations of this embodiment, the system also includes: radio frequency connectors, power supply and control components, external environment, test instruments, as well as the turntable module and test antenna module in the above embodiments. The RF connector is connected to the calibration horn antenna, and the test instrument displays the test results obtained during the test, such as index values, etc. The test environment also includes a dark room and absorbing materials.

Figure 4 is a schematic front view of the overall structure of the OTA test solution in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The overall structure includes: anechoic chamber 1, absorbing material 2, product turntable module 3, AAU4, test antenna module 5, radio frequency connector 6, power supply and control components 7, external environment 8, and test instruments 9.

Optionally, the test antenna module further includes: a first acquisition unit configured to simultaneously acquire M predetermined beam directions of the AAU when the M test antennas of the first test antenna group are aligned one by one with the M predetermined beam directions of the AAU. The equivalent isotropic radiated power EIRP of the beam pointing in the horizontal direction, M is a positive integer greater than 1; in some examples, M=8; the second acquisition unit is configured as N test antennas in the second test antenna group When the N predetermined beam directions of the AAU are aligned one by one, the equivalent omnidirectional radiated power EIRP of the N predetermined beam directions of the AAU in the vertical direction is obtained at the same time, and N is a positive integer greater than 1. In some examples, N=8.

By matching the angle adjustment slider with the locking knob on the slide rail, the position of the test antenna can be adjusted on the X and Z direction slide rails. The test antenna can be matched with the locking knob on the angle adjustment slider to adjust the direction and direction of the test antenna. Polarization direction, in a microwave anechoic chamber far-field measurement environment, quickly obtain the OTA indicators of the product under test based on the first test antenna group and the second test antenna group.

Figure 5 is a top view of OTA testing in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The beam direction and range of angle of arrival (RoAoA) of the AAU are known. The numbers of the first test antenna group and the second test antenna group are both 8 is an example. During the actual test process, the 8 test antennas of the In the polarization direction, eight test antennas can obtain the beam gain Gt of the test antenna in eight predetermined directions through one measurement, so that the equivalent isotropic radiated power of each beam can be quickly obtained: EIRP=P _in *Gt, P _in is the input power of the test antenna, and it has the same effect on OTA sensitivity and other indicators.

At the same time, for test indicators such as TRP (total radiated power) and radiation pattern, since a test antenna group composed of 8 receiving antennas is used in the X direction (horizontal direction) and Z direction (vertical direction), it covers 8 different latitudes, covering 8 different angles in the X direction (corresponding to the longitude of the spherical coordinate system). The tested AAU turntable only needs to rotate a single beam width in the X direction to obtain the horizontal slices of the AAU at 8 latitude positions on the Z axis. Radiation pattern will greatly improve the efficiency of radiation pattern testing.

During the testing process of TRP indicator,

i is any test antenna in the first test antenna group, j is any test antenna in the second test antenna group, take N points in all longitude directions and M points in all latitude directions on the radiation sphere, first measure the two The equivalent isotropic radiated power EIRP in each polarization direction will greatly save the test time of this indicator because the X and Z directions cover multiple test angles. The zenith angle between the line connecting the origin to the test point P (the coordinate point of the test antenna in the spherical coordinate system) and the positive Z axis is θ. The projection line of the test point P on the xy plane is the orientation between the X axis and the line connecting the test antenna in the spherical coordinate system. The angle is

When performing the test, the product under test AAU is placed on the turntable module. In the uplink test, the signal of the test antenna unit is provided by an external instrument for space electromagnetic radiation. In the downlink test, the AAU is connected to the external environment through optical fiber. The test control terminal (computer) ) respectively controls the AAU and external instruments to complete the signal transmission and reception process of the product and test antenna, and completes the test of automatic collection of the entire RF index data of the product under test.

Using the solution of this embodiment, the measurement results of the radio frequency radiation indicators of multiple beams can be obtained at one time through a single OTA measurement under far-field conditions, which is beneficial to improving the EIRP, TRP, and OTA sensitivity of the multi-beam integrated active antenna. , test efficiency of OTA indicators such as OTA reference sensitivity and radiation pattern. At the same time, this scenario simulation is close to the OTA indicator situation during communication between actual users and communication base stations, which can improve test efficiency and better reflect whether the radiation performance indicators such as beam directionality of the tested base station meet the expected OTA indicator requirements.

It should be noted that each of the above modules can be implemented through software or hardware. For the latter, it can be implemented in the following ways, but is not limited to this: the above modules are all located in the same processor; or the above modules can be implemented in any combination. The forms are located in different processors.

The present disclosure includes a turntable module and a test antenna module. The turntable module is equipped with an active antenna unit AAU to be tested to drive the AAU to rotate. The test antenna module includes a test antenna and an adjustment component to adjust the direction and polarization of the test antenna. direction, so that the test antenna is aligned with the radio frequency radiation direction of the AAU. The turntable module and the test antenna module can cooperate with each other in space. At the same time, they can simulate the OTA indicator situation close to the actual communication between the user and the communication base station, solving related problems. The technical problem of low efficiency of technical testing AAU is improved, and the efficiency of OTA testing of multi-beam integrated active antennas is improved.

Obviously, those skilled in the art should understand that the above-mentioned modules or steps of the present disclosure can be implemented using general-purpose computing devices, and they can be concentrated on a single computing device, or distributed across a network composed of multiple computing devices. , optionally, they may be implemented in program code executable by a computing device, such that they may be stored in a storage device for execution by the computing device, and in some cases, may be in a sequence different from that herein. The steps shown or described are performed either individually as individual integrated circuit modules, or as multiple modules or steps among them as a single integrated circuit module. As such, the present disclosure is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. For those skilled in the art, the present disclosure may have various modifications and changes. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the principles of this disclosure shall be included in the protection scope of this disclosure.

Claims

An active antenna test system, including:

A turntable module equipped with an active antenna unit AAU to be tested to drive the AAU to rotate;

A test antenna module includes a test antenna and an adjustment component to adjust the pointing and polarization direction of the test antenna so that the test antenna is aligned with the radio frequency radiation direction of the AAU.
The system of claim 1, wherein the turntable module includes:

A horizontal drive assembly that drives the AAU to rotate in the horizontal direction;

Height drive assembly, which adjusts the height of the AAU in the vertical direction.
The system of claim 2, wherein the horizontal drive assembly includes:

Product fixed platform, which is fixedly connected to the AAU;

A bottom turntable, which fixes the turntable module;

A transmission rod is connected between the product fixed platform and the bottom turntable, and is connected with the product fixed platform and the bottom turntable to form a transmission connection mechanism, driving the product fixed platform to rotate in the horizontal direction, thereby driving all The AAU is rotated in the horizontal direction.
The system of claim 2, wherein the height drive assembly includes:

Product support rods, which support the AAU in the vertical direction;

A cylinder is connected to the product support rod to adjust the height of the product support rod, thereby linking the height of the AAU in the vertical direction.
The system according to claim 1, wherein the test antenna module includes:

A horizontal test component, which includes a first test antenna group in a horizontal direction and a first adjustment component. The first adjustment component adjusts the pointing and polarization direction of the first test antenna group in the horizontal direction, wherein the first The test antenna group includes a plurality of first receiving antennas, each first receiving antenna covering an angular range in the horizontal direction;

A vertical test assembly, which includes a second test antenna group in a vertical direction and a second adjustment assembly, the second adjustment assembly adjusts the pointing and polarization direction of the second test antenna group in the vertical direction, wherein, The second test antenna group includes a plurality of second receiving antennas, and each second receiving antenna covers a latitude range of the sphere.
The system according to claim 5, wherein the first adjustment component includes: a first horizontal slide rail and a first horizontal angle adjustment slider, and the first test antenna group is installed on the first On the angle adjustment slider, the first angle adjustment slider cooperates with the locking knob on the first slide rail to adjust the horizontal direction of the first test antenna group through the first slide rail. fixed position.
The system according to claim 5, wherein the second adjustment component includes: a second slide rail in a vertical direction and a second angle adjustment slider in a vertical direction, and the second test antenna group is installed on the On the second angle adjustment slider, the second angle adjustment slider cooperates with the locking knob on the second slide rail to adjust the position of the second test antenna group through the second slide rail. Fixed vertical position.
The system according to claim 5, wherein the test antenna module further includes: a support column, a height adjustment rod, and an angle adjustment base, the support column is fixed on the angle adjustment base, and the height adjustment rod can The second adjustment component is movably installed on the support column, the second adjustment component is fixed on the height adjustment rod, and the height adjustment rod is movably connected to the angle adjustment base.
The system according to claim 5, wherein the test antenna module further includes:

The first acquisition unit is configured to simultaneously acquire the M predetermined beam directions of the AAU when the M test antennas of the first test antenna group are aligned one by one with the M predetermined beam directions of the AAU. Equivalent isotropic radiated power EIRP in the horizontal direction, M is a positive integer greater than 1; and/or,

The second acquisition unit is configured to simultaneously acquire the N predetermined beam directions of the AAU when the N test antennas of the second test antenna group are aligned one by one with the N predetermined beam directions of the AAU. Equivalent isotropic radiated power EIRP in the vertical direction, N is a positive integer greater than 1.
The system of claim 9, wherein M=8, N=8.