Patent Description:
The total radiated power of radio devices in networks, especially the spurious emissions of these devices, are regulated by the standards that govern the wireless network. Thus, any device that is designed for use in such a wireless network has to fulfill these requirements. In order to measure the total radiated power of a device, measurement systems with an anechoic chamber and a measurement antenna are known.

However, as the total radiated power measurements have to be performed over a wide range of frequencies, the measurement antenna of such measurement systems do not cover the whole frequency range. Thus, several measurements have to be carried out.

<CIT> describes a system for performing measurements of frequency bands of a device under test. During measurement, the device is positioned on a positioner in an anechoic chamber. The system further comprises a link antenna for establishing communication with the device under test and a plurality of different measurement antennas which are arranged in the anechoic chamber.

<CIT> describes an apparatus to test a user equipment which comprises a measurement antenna, a communication antenna, control equipment and an anechoic chamber in which a device under test may be positioned.

<CIT> discloses a system for emulating channels in a radio frequency communication system, wherein a device under test may be positioned on a positioner such as a turntable within a test volume of an anechoic chamber that is isolated from the environment. An array of antennas radiates electromagnetic energy towards the device under test in a variety of directions.

<CIT> describes a testing system and method for testing wireless communication devices.

<CIT> describes a test arrangement for testing a device under test which comprises a test antenna system with a number of reflectors and a number of test antennas for emitting test signals to the device under test via the reflectors and/or measuring signals emitted by the device under test to the reflectors.

<CIT> describes a system for testing and verifying the performance of wireless communication devices. In particular, the effectiveness of radio frequency transceiver components can be tested in an anechoic enclosure by establishing an electromagnetic communication with the device under test.

<CIT> discloses a method and a system for testing phased antenna arrays. The method comprises positioning a phased antenna array and a probe antenna at relative positions with respect to each other. The probe antennas can receive a radio frequency signal and a processor can determine one or more performance parameters of the phased antenna array using the radio frequency signals.

It is the purpose of the invention to provide a measurement system, a measurement setup as well as a method for performing total radiated power measurements of a device under test that allow quick measurements over a broad frequency range.

For this purpose, a measurement system according to claim <NUM>, for performing measurements of the total radiated power of a device under test is provided. The measurement system comprises an anechoic chamber, a positioner with a device section for supporting the device under test, at least one link antenna for establishing communication with the device under test and a plurality of different measurement antennas, wherein the measurement antennas are arranged in the anechoic chamber and are designed to carry out a total radiated power measurement, wherein the positioner is configured to move the device section in three dimensions. At least two of the measurement antennas are adapted to measure a different frequency range.

By using a plurality of measurement antennas designed for total radiated power measurements, multiple measurements can be carried out at the same time. Thus, the duration of a total radiated power measurement can be reduced.

Due to at least two of the measurement antennas being adapted to measure a different frequency range, the frequency range, in which the measurement is carried out, can be multiplied even though the frequency range of every single antenna may be smaller than the desired frequency range of the measurement system.

The device section may lie within the quiet zone of the anechoic chamber, in particular along the entire measurement path.

The link antenna is particularly adapted to establish communication, especially far-field communication with the device under test using radio frequency signals.

For example, the measurement antennas are designed to determine spurious emissions of the device under test.

In an embodiment, each of the measurement antennas is adapted to measure a different frequency range. The frequency ranges of the measurement antennas may overlap.

In an aspect, the measurement antennas are arranged in the corners of anechoic chamber and/or equidistant to the device section. This way, no deviation between the measurements of the various measurement antennas is present.

In order to reduce the size of the measurement system, the measurement antennas may be arranged in near-field distance of the device section.

In an embodiment of the invention, the measurement system comprises a reflector for the signal of the link antenna, the reflector being arranged in the anechoic chamber, particularly wherein the shortest propagation path of signals of the at least one link antenna to the device section runs via the reflector. This way, the size of the measurement system can be reduced further.

The measurement system may be a compact antenna test range (CATR) system using indirect communication between the link antenna and the device under test via the reflector.

For example, the shortest propagation path is longer than the far field distance.

For a complete and versatile measurement, the positioner is configured to move the device section along a sphere. The sphere is in particular a full sphere.

To this end, the positioner comprises a pivoting arm, particularly wherein a turntable is arranged on the pivoting arm. The device section may be provided on the pivoting arm, especially on the turntable.

The pivoting arm may be u-shaped and/or the turntable being a <NUM>° turnable turntable.

For the above purpose, further a measurement setup according to claim <NUM>, for performing measurements of the total radiated power of a device under test is provided. The measurement setup comprises a device under test and a measurement system according to the invention as discussed above, wherein the device under test is fixed in the device section of the positioner.

Further, for the above purpose, a method according to claim <NUM> is provided for performing measurements of the total radiated power of a device under test, in particular using a measurement system according to the invention as described above.

In the sense of the invention, measuring while the device under test is moved may be done by moving and measuring continuously and simultaneously or by alternating a moving step and a measuring step.

The features and advantages discussed in the context of the measuring system also apply to the method and vice versa.

In the invention, a communication is established with the device under test using a link antenna arranged in the anechoic chamber. Thus, the total radiated power may be measured under working conditions. The communication may be present during measurement. The link antenna may also be called "feed antenna".

In order to perform complete measurements, the measurement path is a spiral path and covers a full sphere.

In an embodiment, the distance between the device under test and the measurement antennas remains the same along the measurement path. In particular, the distance remains the same along the full measurement path. This way, the measurements of the measurement antennas do not have to be normalized with respect the distance to the device under test.

In order to allow very quick or very precise measurements, the device under test may be moved continuously or in a stepped manner.

In an aspect of the invention, the orientation, in particular the azimuth and/or the elevation of the device under test with respect to at least one, in particular each of the measurement antennas is recoded during the measurement. This allows comparing the measurements of different measurement antennas with one another.

For an efficient evaluation, the measurements of the measurement antennas may be received by an evaluation unit and the measurements are transferred to the same calculation base by the evaluation unit, in particular on the basis of the recorded orientation, in particular the recorded azimuth and/or elevation.

In other words, each antenna may measure the spurious emissions of the device under test at a different angle due to the position of the device under test. However, as the device under test faces each one of the measurement antennas in a similar manner during a full measurement, the measurement results may be transferred to the same coordinate system.

Further features and advantages will be apparent from the following description as well as the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. In the drawings:.

<FIG> shows a measurement setup <NUM> having a device under test <NUM> (DUT) and a measurement system <NUM>.

The measurement setup <NUM> is used for performing measurements of the total radiated power (TRP) of the DUT <NUM>.

The DUT <NUM> may be a mobile device, like a smartphone, a tablet or a laptop computer, an Internet of Things (IoT) component or any other device with a radio frequency transmitter. In particular, the DUT <NUM> is a device for <NUM> NR FR2 networks.

The measurement system <NUM> is a measurement system for performing measurements on a DUT in order to determine specific characteristics of the DUT <NUM>, more precisely the radio frequency transmitter of the DUT <NUM>.

The measurement system <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> with a door (not shown), in which an anechoic chamber <NUM> is provided.

The measurement system <NUM> further comprises a positioner <NUM>, at least one link antenna <NUM> - one link antenna <NUM> in the shown embodiment - and a plurality of measurement antennas <NUM>, in the shown embodiment four measurement antennas <NUM>.

The positioner <NUM>, the link antenna <NUM> and the measurement antennas <NUM> are located within the anechoic chamber <NUM> and they are connected to a control unit <NUM> of the measurement system <NUM>.

In the shown embodiment, the control unit <NUM> is depicted within the housing <NUM>. However, the control unit <NUM> and/or the evaluation unit <NUM> may also be a component outside and separate from the housing <NUM>.

The positioner <NUM> comprises a pivoting arm <NUM> and a turntable <NUM> mounted on the pivoting arm <NUM>. The turntable <NUM> may be a <NUM>° turnable turntable.

The turntable <NUM> has a device section <NUM>, on which the DUT <NUM> is securely fixed.

The device section <NUM> is arranged in a quiet zone <NUM> of the anechoic chamber <NUM>, even if the device section <NUM> is moved by the positioner <NUM>.

The pivoting arm <NUM> is shown in this embodiment as a u-shaped pivoting arm with a center piece <NUM> and two side pieces <NUM>. Of course, the pivoting arm <NUM> may have other shapes.

The turntable <NUM> is arranged in the center of the pivoting arm <NUM>, i.e. in the center of the u-shape.

The side pieces <NUM> of the pivoting arm <NUM> are rotatably mounted on opposite walls of the housing <NUM> such that the pivoting arm <NUM> may be rotated around an axis extending through the device section <NUM>.

Due to a combination of the movement of the pivoting arm <NUM> and the rotational movement of the turntable <NUM>, the positioner <NUM> is able to move the device section <NUM> and the DUT <NUM> along a measurement path M, in particular a measurement path lying on a full sphere. An example of such a measurement path is illustrated in <FIG>.

The link antenna <NUM> is adapted and controlled by the control unit <NUM> to establish communication with the DUT <NUM>.

The link antenna <NUM> may communicate with the DUT <NUM> using frequencies between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The signals emitted and received by the link antenna <NUM> and received and emitted by the DUT <NUM> for communication between the link antenna <NUM> and the DUT <NUM> do not propagate in a direct way between the link antenna <NUM> and the DUT <NUM> but indirectly.

For this purpose, the link antenna <NUM> may be a highly directional antenna or a signal absorbing wall is provided between the link antenna <NUM> and the DUT <NUM>.

The indirect propagation path P of the signals runs via a wall of the anechoic chamber <NUM> that has been provided with a reflector <NUM>. In the shown embodiment, the ceiling of the anechoic chamber <NUM> is provided with a reflector <NUM>.

Thus, the shortest propagation path of signals emitted by the link antenna <NUM> to the DUT <NUM> runs via the reflector <NUM> and has a length larger than the far field length, so that the communication between the link antenna <NUM> and the DUT <NUM> is a far- field communication.

Because of the indirect propagation path, the measurement system <NUM> is a compact antenna test range (CATR).

The measurement antennas <NUM> are arranged equidistant to the device section <NUM> and in particular within the near-field distance of the device section <NUM>.

In the shown embodiment, the measurement antennas <NUM> are arranged in the corners of the anechoic chamber <NUM>. Each measurement antenna <NUM> is adapted to measure signals from the DUT <NUM> in a different frequency range. For example, the first measurement antenna <NUM> measures signals in the range between <NUM> and <NUM>, the second measurement antenna <NUM> in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, the third measurement antenna <NUM> in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> and the fourth measurement antenna <NUM> in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

The measurement antennas <NUM> are designed to measure spurious emissions from the DUT <NUM>.

For performing measurements of the total radiated power of the DUT <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> controls the measurement system <NUM>, more precisely the positioner <NUM>, the link antenna <NUM> and the measurement antennas <NUM> to perform the following steps. The steps of the method are shown in <FIG>.

In a first step S1, the DUT <NUM> is placed in the anechoic chamber <NUM> in the device section <NUM> of the positioner <NUM>. The DUT <NUM> is fixed at the device section <NUM> so that the DUT <NUM> cannot move with respect to the positioner <NUM>.

In a second step S2, the control unit <NUM> controls the link antenna <NUM> to establish a communication with the DUT <NUM>.

In step S3, the positioner <NUM> is controlled by the control unit <NUM> to move the DUT <NUM> along a measurement path M.

The measurement path M of the claimed inventive method is a spiral path that covers a full sphere as shown in <FIG>.

The measurement path M is such that the distance between the DUT <NUM> and the measurement antennas <NUM> remains the same along the entire movement of the DUT <NUM>, thus along the full measurement path M.

The DUT <NUM> may be moved along the measurement path M continuously or in a stepwise manner.

In step S4, carried out during the movement of the DUT <NUM> or after each movement step, each of the measurement antennas <NUM> measures the power radiated from the DUT <NUM> in the respective frequency range, especially the power emitted by spurious emissions of the DUT <NUM>.

During the measurement, the communication between the link antenna <NUM> and the DUT <NUM> may be upheld.

During the measurement, in a simultaneous step S5, the orientation of the DUT <NUM> to each of the measurement antennas <NUM> is recorded, for example by the control unit <NUM> on the basis of the position of the positioner.

The orientation may comprise the azimuth and/or the elevation of the DUT with respect to the respective measurement antenna <NUM>.

In the next step S6, the measurements of the measurement antennas <NUM> and the recorded orientations are fed to an evaluation unit <NUM>. The evaluation unit <NUM> may be a module of the control unit <NUM>.

The evaluation unit <NUM> uses the information about the orientation of the DUT <NUM> with respect to each of the measurement antennas <NUM> and the respective measurements of the radiated power of the DUT <NUM> at said orientation and transfers the measurements of the radiated power of the different measurement antennas <NUM> to the same calculation base. Thus, the data of the measurements transferred to the same calculation base is the same as if several measurements of the DUT <NUM> with only one measurement antenna had been carried out.

In other words, each measurement antenna <NUM> measures the radiated power, especially the spurious emissions at a different orientation due to the position of the DUT <NUM>. However, as the DUT <NUM> faces each one of the measurement antennas <NUM> in a similar manner during the course of a full measurement, the measurement results may be transferred to the same coordinate system.

From the measurements of radiated power, the total radiated power in each frequency range is determined by the evaluation unit <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Measurement system for performing measurements of the total radiated power of a device under test (<NUM>), comprising an anechoic chamber (<NUM>), a positioner (<NUM>) with a device section (<NUM>) for supporting the device under test (<NUM>), at least one link antenna (<NUM>) for establishing communication with the device under test (<NUM>) and a plurality of different measurement antennas (<NUM>), wherein the measurement antennas (<NUM>) are arranged in the anechoic chamber (<NUM>) and are designed to carry out a total radiated power measurement, wherein the positioner (<NUM>) is configured to move the device section (<NUM>) in three dimensions, characterised in that at least two of the measurement antennas (<NUM>) are adapted to measure a different frequency range.