Patent Description:
In known compact antenna test range (CATR) systems for investigating the far-field characteristics of a device under test (DUT) over-the-air (OTA) with regard to its electromagnetic properties, the DUT and at least one feed antenna are arranged inside a shielded chamber such that a far-field configuration is obtained despite the limited space.

In order to focus the electromagnetic waves emitted and received by the feed antenna at least one reflector is typically used.

The feed antenna, the reflector, and the DUT are usually arranged within a single horizontal plane. Due to physical requirements regarding the focusing mechanism in view of the signal path, the reflector has to be arranged at a minimum distance from the feed antenna. Therefore, the chambers have comparably large dimensions, particularly widths.

In order to obtain far-field characteristics at limited space, more than one reflector, e.g. two reflectors, may be used such that the electromagnetic waves are reflected twice between the feed antenna and the device under test.

However, the above-mentioned disadvantage concerning the focusing mechanism is further strengthened for these two reflector systems, since the relative positions of the reflectors cause additional size constraints leading to larger setups. As a consequence, installation and transportation of these chambers may require special facilities, since at least in some cases the shielded chambers may be too large to fit spatial bottlenecks, such as door openings or elevators.

<CIT> and <CIT> each disclose generic test systems.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a more compact test system.

The subject matter of the independent claim satisfies the respective need. Preferred embodiments are indicated within the dependent claims and the following description, each of which, individually or in combination, may represent aspects of the present disclosure.

It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. In this respect, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

According to a first aspect, a test system for testing a device under test (DUT) is provided according to the subject matter of claim <NUM>.

Since the interface and the feed antenna are arranged perpendicular to each other, the spatial dimensions of the system, in particular the ones of the shielded chamber, may be reduced compared to existing systems, particularly those systems where the components are arranged in a single horizontal plane within a single large chamber. Accordingly, the test system is advantageously designed fitting narrower constrictions when being transported or installed while providing a far-field configuration enabling to test the DUT under far-field conditions.

The DUT may be arranged in a separately formed test chamber, e.g. another shielded chamber, that is adjacently arranged to the shielded chamber that encompasses the reflectors. In particular, the test chamber may be adjacently arranged to the shielded chamber when the test system is in use.

The feed antenna and the reflectors may be configured to provide a quiet zone at a test location such that the DUT can be arranged within the quiet zone. In particular, the test location including the quiet zone may be established within the test chamber separate of the shielded chamber.

The test chamber may be detachably connected to the shielded chamber. Making use of multiple chambers advantageously enables easy transportation since the dimensions of the shielded chamber and the test chamber may independently fit constrictions. In other words, for easy transportation the test chamber may by detached from the shielded chamber and separately transported. Moreover, this design enables easier maintenance or replacement actions if only part of the test system is damaged or to be serviced.

In fact, the entire test system may comprise more than one chamber, wherein the chambers have interfaces via which they can be detachably connected, thereby establishing a larger common chamber.

For instance, two shielded chambers, each encompassing reflectors, as well as one test chamber are provided, wherein the test chamber has two interfaces at opposite sides via which the shielded chambers can be detachably connected, respectively.

The DUT may be arranged in an at least partly open space adjacent to the shielded chamber. Accordingly, the DUT may be easily placed by a user inside the test chamber since easy access is provided. Also, the shielded chamber and the test chamber may comprise corresponding openings such that components altering the electromagnetic radiation of the signal path may be avoided.

The test system may further comprise a positioner for positioning the DUT. The positioner may provide the possibility to arrange the DUT relative to the shielded chamber in all three perpendicular directions of a Cartesian coordinate system. Thus, the positioner may be a so-called 3D-positioner. The positioner may also be configured to define up to three rotation angles of the DUT relative to the shielded chamber, particularly the test location within the test chamber. Hence, the positioner may be located within the test chamber. For example, the positioner may comprise an articulated arm that is used for moving the DUT. Alternatively, the positioner comprises two or more supports that are movable with respect to each other, thereby ensuring the overall movability of the positioner.

Generally, the possibility of detaching the test chamber from the shielded chamber may be provided at the expense of a precise positioning mechanism of the DUT relative to the shielded chamber in case of a misalignment when connecting the chambers. The positioner may serve to overcome this drawback such that the focusing conditions of the signal path in view of the first and/or second reflectors may be fulfilled.

In an alternative, the test system may comprise an alignment member for aligning the test chamber relative to the shielded chamber appropriately. As an example, the alignment member may comprise components for defining a predetermined (relative) position and/or orientation, such as latches and/or spring locks.

The phase center may be higher than the center of the first reflector. Hence, the feed antenna and the first reflector may advantageously not be arranged in a horizontal plane, but in a vertical plane. The minimum distance between the first reflector and the feed antenna may rather be established in a vertical direction. Therefore, the dimensions of the shielded chamber may be further reduced, in particular the dimensions in a horizontal plane, i.e. length and width.

Alternatively or cumulatively, the first reflector may be positioned close to a bottom of the shielded chamber or may rest on the bottom of the shielded chamber. This arrangement is also beneficial in terms of the height of the test system. Since there needs to be a minimum distance between the feed antenna and the first reflector, the height of the test system may reduced as much as possible in view of the perpendicular arrangement of the sides of the first interface and the feed antenna.

The phase center of the at least one feed antenna may be lower than the center of the first reflector. This arrangement also allows the lateral dimensions of the test system, i.e. the length and width, to be reduced. Again, the feed antenna and the first reflector are arranged in a vertical manner rather than a horizontal one.

As an option, the feed antenna may be located in an antenna chamber adjacently arranged to the shielded chamber. In particular, the antenna chamber may be detachably connected with the shielded chamber via a second interface. The antenna chamber may be established as a separately formed chamber with respect to the shielded chamber. Accordingly, the test chamber may comprise at least three different chambers, namely the shielded chamber, the test chamber, and the antenna chamber. Therefore, the individual components of the test system may be independently transported such that transport may be simplified due to the reduced size(s) of the individual components. Furthermore, since the feed antenna may be located in a separate chamber, the shielded chamber may be designed with reduced dimensions. This may be beneficial with regard to the overall manufacturing costs of the test system since the individual chambers may have a summed volume being smaller than a volume of a respective one-chamber setup.

As an option, the test system may comprise an additional positioning member for positioning the antenna chamber relative to the shielded chamber. The positioning member may comprise coupling components for defining a predetermined (relative) position and/or orientation, such as latches or spring locks.

Alternatively or cumulatively, the test system may also comprise an antenna positioner for positioning the feed antenna inside the antenna chamber. Accordingly, the feed antenna may be appropriately positioned to fit the conditions of the signal path in view of the first and second reflectors as well as the DUT.

The first interface of the shielded chamber, particularly at least one of the first interface and the second interface, may comprise an opening or a window. The interfaces may then advantageously be configured not to influence the electromagnetic radiation of the signal path. Moreover, openings and windows may be cost-effectively realized when producing the test system.

The first reflector may be a sub-reflector having two focal points. Having multiple focal points provides a larger range of positioning the components of the signal path being adjacently arranged to the first reflector, i.e. the second reflector and the feed antenna. In other words, the variability of positioning the components of the test system involved in the signal path may be improved.

Moreover, more than one test frequency can be used for testing the DUT simultaneously.

The first reflector may have a shape of one of a hyperboloid or an ellipsoid. In particular, the shape may be convex or concave. These shapes may advantageously provide multiple focal points such that the variability of the test system is improved.

The second reflector may be a main reflector having a shape of a paraboloid. A paraboloid has only a single focal point which may be sufficient for the second reflector. Accordingly, the focusing properties may be well-defined.

The electromagnetic signal may be reflected by the second reflector so that the electromagnetic signal corresponds to a plane wave, particularly at the test location.

Alternatively or cumulatively, at least one of the first reflector and the second reflector may comprise a lightweight material. In particular, at least of reflector may comprise carbon composite. Hence, the weight of the test system may be reduced such that transport of the system is easier.

A signal path of the outgoing test signals and the incoming test signals between the DUT and the second reflector may be parallel to a bottom of the shielded chamber. Accordingly, some portions of the signal path may rather be mainly arranged in the vertical direction while others may be mainly arranged in a horizontal direction. This may lead to a very compact design of the overall test system.

The shielded chamber may be portable. In particular, the shielded chamber may comprise wheels provided at the bottom of the shielded chamber. Additionally, the test chamber and/or the antenna chamber may comprise wheels as well. Accordingly, the test system may particularly be configured for transport measures.

Accordingly, the shielded chamber, the test chamber and/or the antenna chamber may be portable or rather removable with respect to the other chambers. Hence, a modular test system is provided, as the individual chambers can be connected with each other, namely via the interfaces.

The forgoing aspects and further advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings,.

In this respect, the invention is defined by the appended claims.

<FIG> is a schematic drawing of a test system <NUM> according to an embodiment. The test system <NUM> comprises a shielded chamber <NUM> (main chamber), a test chamber <NUM>, and an antenna chamber <NUM>. In the shown embodiment, these chambers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are separately formed.

Therefore, the shielded chamber <NUM> comprises a first interface <NUM> associated with the test chamber <NUM>. The first interface <NUM> is located such that components arranged inside an interior volume defined by the shielded chamber <NUM> may (electromagnetically) interact with components arranged inside an interior volume defined by the test chamber <NUM> and vice versa.

The shielded chamber <NUM> comprises also a second interface <NUM> associated with the antenna chamber <NUM>. Accordingly, the second interface <NUM> is located such that components arranged inside an interior volume defined by the shielded chamber <NUM> may (electromagnetically) interact with components arranged inside an interior volume defined by the antenna chamber <NUM>.

The first interface <NUM> and/or the second interface <NUM> may comprise an opening or a window such that electromagnetic waves may pass substantially undisturbed the respective interface.

Hence, the electromagnetic interaction may be understood as an interaction without any additional attenuation compared to the one due to the over-the-air testing.

The test chamber <NUM> and the first interface <NUM> are substantially perpendicular arranged relative to the antenna chamber <NUM> and the second interface <NUM>, particularly from the viewpoint of the shielded chamber <NUM> assuming a Cartesian coordinate system.

Moreover, the test system <NUM> comprises a feed antenna <NUM> that is arranged inside the antenna chamber <NUM>. The feed antenna <NUM> is configured for emitting and receiving electromagnetic signals for testing a device under test (DUT) <NUM> located in the test chamber <NUM>.

A first reflector <NUM>, also called sub-reflector, and a second reflector <NUM>, also called main reflector, are arranged inside the shielded chamber <NUM>.

The first reflector <NUM> may have a hyperboloid or an ellipsoid shape and, therefore, the first reflector <NUM> may have two focal points. In contrast thereto, the second reflector <NUM> may have a paraboloid shape with a single focal point. in the shown embodiment, the first reflector <NUM> is located near the bottom <NUM> of the shielded chamber <NUM>. In an alternative, the first reflector <NUM> may also rest on the bottom <NUM> of the shielded chamber <NUM>.

The height H2 of the shielded chamber <NUM> and the height H <NUM> of the test system <NUM> may therefore be reduced.

In a further alternative, the first reflector <NUM> is located near the ceiling of the shielded chamber <NUM> or rather mounted at the ceiling, which will be discussed later in more detail.

In any case, the DUT <NUM> is located within a quiet zone <NUM> established inside the test chamber <NUM>.

The feed antenna <NUM>, the first reflector <NUM>, the second reflector <NUM>, and the DUT <NUM> are arranged such that a signal path <NUM> for electromagnetic waves is established between the feed antenna <NUM> via the first and second reflectors <NUM>, <NUM> and the DUT <NUM>. In view of the shape of the second reflector <NUM> the electromagnetic waves are plane waves <NUM> at a test location of the DUT <NUM>, namely the location where the DUT <NUM> is positioned. Particularly, plane waves <NUM> are already obtained between the second reflector <NUM> and the DUT <NUM>. The plane waves <NUM> run parallel to the bottom <NUM> of the shielded chamber <NUM>.

In the shown embodiment, a phase center <NUM> of the feed antenna <NUM> is located on top of a center <NUM> of the first reflector <NUM>, particularly on top of the shielded chamber <NUM>. In other words, in a vertical direction along the height H1 of the test system <NUM> the phase center <NUM> is located above the center <NUM> of the first reflector <NUM>. Therefore, the test system <NUM> is configured according to an inverted test arrangement.

The center <NUM> of the first reflector <NUM> is positioned at a distance greater than a minimum distance away from the phase center <NUM> of the feed antenna <NUM>. The minimum distance depends on the focal points of the first reflector <NUM> such that the electromagnetic signals may be guided from the first reflector <NUM> towards the feed antenna <NUM> without significant losses.

The test system <NUM> comprises an alignment member <NUM>. According to this embodiment, the alignment member <NUM> comprises several spring locks such that the test chamber <NUM> may be detachably connected to the shielded chamber <NUM>. The alignment member <NUM> may in particular be configured for defining a predetermined position of the test chamber <NUM> relative to the shielded chamber <NUM>.

Although not shown, the test system <NUM> may also comprise an antenna positioner adapted and configured such that the antenna chamber <NUM> may be detachably connected to the shielded chamber <NUM> according to a pre-defined position.

Furthermore, the test system <NUM> comprises transportation means for enabling easy transport of the chambers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

In this embodiment, these transportation means comprise multiple wheels <NUM> located at a bottom of the shielded chamber <NUM> and the test chamber <NUM>. Although not shown, the antenna chamber <NUM> may also comprise wheels for easy transport, particularly at its side facing away from the shielded chamber <NUM> in the installed setup shown in <FIG>.

The test system <NUM> also comprises an additional positioner <NUM> having an articulated arm for positioning the DUT <NUM> inside the quite zone <NUM> established in the test chamber <NUM>.

The test system <NUM> has an overall height H1 and an overall length L1. The shielded chamber <NUM> may have a height H2 and a length L2. Due to the constraints regarding the arrangement and size of the first reflector <NUM> and the second reflector <NUM>, the shielded chamber <NUM> may be the chamber having largest dimensions presuming a Cartesian coordinate system. Since the test chamber <NUM> and the antenna chamber <NUM> are detachably connected to the shielded chamber <NUM>, the test system <NUM> is configured for easy transport. During transport actions the dimensions of the test system <NUM> are reduced since the shielded chamber <NUM> has significantly smaller dimensions L2, H2 within a Cartesian coordinate system. Hence, the individual chambers of the test system <NUM> may better fit spatial bottlenecks such as doors or elevators.

The particular configuration for easy transport is further strengthened by the wheels <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment, the second interface <NUM> is associated with the bottom of the shielded chamber <NUM> such that the antenna chamber <NUM> is detachably connected with the bottom of the shielded chamber <NUM>. Hence, the first reflector <NUM> that directly interacts with the feed antenna <NUM> is located near the ceiling or rather mounted to the ceiling of the shielded chamber <NUM>.

Electromagnetic waves emitted by the feed antenna <NUM> propagate in a vertical direction, e.g. along the axis defining the height of the test system <NUM>, towards the ceiling of the shielded chamber <NUM> while being reflected by the first reflector <NUM> towards the second reflector <NUM>. The second reflector <NUM> reflects the electromagnetic waves such that they further propagate in a perpendicular direction towards the first interface <NUM>, the DUT <NUM> and the quiet zone <NUM>, namely in horizontal direction.

Generally, the antenna chamber <NUM> is a closed chamber having only one open side that interfaces with the second interface <NUM> located at the bottom or rather the ceiling of the shielded chamber <NUM>. The open side may comprise a window or an opening. The window may be established by an electromagnetically penetrable material, namely a material permitting electromagnetic waves to go through without (substantial) attenuation.

The test system <NUM> may further comprise control and/or measurement equipment that is used to control the feed antenna <NUM>, the device under test <NUM> and/or the positioner <NUM>.

In addition, reflector positioners may be provided that can be controlled appropriately to set the reflectors <NUM>, <NUM> into desired orientations and/or positions. These reflector positioners may also be controlled by means of the control and/or measurement equipment.

The control and/or measurement equipment is further used for obtaining measurements of the feed antenna <NUM> or rather the device under test <NUM> while analyzing and evaluating the measurements in order to gather measurement results.

The inverted setup shown corresponds to establishing a first signal path portion between the feed antenna <NUM> and the first reflector <NUM>, wherein the first signal path portion is (substantially) parallel to the side of the shielded chamber <NUM> at which the first interface <NUM> is provided that is used for enabling the (electromagnetic) interaction with the DUT <NUM>. In other words, both signal path portions of the overall signal path <NUM> intersect each other in a (substantially) perpendicular manner.

Claim 1:
A test system (<NUM>) for testing a device under test (<NUM>), the test system comprising at least one feed antenna (<NUM>), a shielded chamber (<NUM>), and at least a first reflector (<NUM>) and a second reflector (<NUM>),
wherein the test system (<NUM>) is a compact antenna test range,
wherein the first reflector (<NUM>) and the second reflector (<NUM>) are arranged inside the shielded chamber (<NUM>),
wherein the first reflector (<NUM>) is configured and arranged such that it redirects outgoing test signals emitted by the at least one feed antenna (<NUM>) towards the second reflector (<NUM>) and incoming test signals coming from the second reflector (<NUM>) towards the at least one feed antenna (<NUM>),
wherein the device under test (<NUM>) is arranged outside the shielded chamber (<NUM>) encompassing the first reflector (<NUM>) and the second reflector (<NUM>), wherein the shielded chamber (<NUM>) comprises at least a first interface (<NUM>) associated with the device under test (<NUM>), wherein the first interface (<NUM>) and the feed antenna (<NUM>) are located at different sides of the shielded chamber (<NUM>), which are perpendicular to each other,
the test system (<NUM>) being characterized in that
a phase center (<NUM>) of the at least one feed antenna (<NUM>) is located on top of the shielded chamber (<NUM>) or below the shielded chamber (<NUM>).