Contactless antenna measurement device

Abstract

A measurement device ( 100 ) for measuring antenna characteristics of an antenna under test ( 150 , AUT), the AUT having a radiating element ( 160 ), the measurement device ( 100 ) comprising an exterior surface ( 110 ), where a measurement aperture ( 120 ) is formed in the exterior surface, and a repetitive structure ( 130 ) is arranged on the exterior surface, the repetitive structure ( 130 ) comprising a plurality of protruding conductive elements ( 135 ) arranged to surround the measurement aperture ( 120 ) and to define a passage ( 140 ) into the measurement aperture ( 120 ), the repetitive structure ( 130 ) being configured to attenuate electromagnetic signal propagation in a frequency band past the repetitive structure ( 130 ) while allowing propagation via the passage ( 140 ).

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A measurement device for measuring antenna characteristics of an antenna under test, AUT, the AUT having a radiating element, the measurement device comprising an exterior surface, where a measurement aperture is formed in the exterior surface, and a repetitive structure is arranged on the exterior surface, the repetitive structure comprising a plurality of protruding conductive elements arranged to surround the measurement aperture and to define a passage into the measurement aperture, the repetitive structure being configured to attenuate electromagnetic signal propagation in a frequency band past the repetitive structure while allowing electromagnetic signal propagation via the passage. 
     
     
         16 . The measurement device according to  claim 15 , wherein a plurality of measurement apertures is formed in the exterior surface surrounded by respective repetitive structures, wherein each measurement aperture is arranged to align with a respective radiating element on the AUT when the measurement device engages the AUT. 
     
     
         17 . The measurement device according to  claim 15 , wherein a plurality of measurement apertures is formed on a subarray in the exterior surface, wherein the subarray is surrounded by the repetitive structure, wherein each measurement aperture is arranged to align with a respective radiating element on the AUT when the measurement device engages the AUT. 
     
     
         18 . The measurement device according to  claim 15 , wherein the measurement aperture comprises a slot aperture configured in dependence of a radiating element shape of the AUT. 
     
     
         19 . The measurement device according to  claim 15 , wherein the one or more radiating elements of the AUT comprise slot apertures. 
     
     
         20 . The measurement device according to  claim 15 , wherein the one or more radiating elements of the AUT comprise patch antennas. 
     
     
         21 . The measurement device according to  claim 15 , wherein the exterior surface, the measurement aperture, and the repetitive structure are integrally formed from a single metal element. 
     
     
         22 . The measurement device according to  claim 15 , wherein the repetitive structure is arranged releasably attached to the exterior surface. 
     
     
         23 . The measurement device according to  claim 15 , wherein a first protruding element is arranged on the exterior surface and configured to engage with a respective first recess formed on the AUT, thereby providing means for aligning the measurement aperture with the radiating element when the measurement device engages the AUT. 
     
     
         24 . The measurement device according to  claim 15 , wherein a second protruding element is arranged on the AUT and configured to engage with a respective second recess arranged on the exterior surface, thereby providing means for aligning the measurement aperture with the radiating element. 
     
     
         25 . The measurement device according to  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of protruding conductive elements comprise one or more metal or metallized elements, or one or more conductive polymer elements, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The measurement device according to  claim 15 , wherein the combination of measurement device and AUT constitutes a waveguide transition from a radiating element in the form of a patch antenna to a waveguide structure. 
     
     
         27 . Measurement equipment comprising a measurement analysis unit connected to one or more measurement devices according to  claim 15 . 
     
     
         28 . A method for measuring antenna characteristics of an antenna under test, AUT, the AUT having a radiating element, the method comprising;
 configuring the measurement device with an exterior surface, where a measurement aperture is formed in the exterior surface;   arranging a repetitive structure on the exterior surface, wherein the repetitive structure comprises a plurality of protruding conductive elements arranged to surround the measurement aperture and to define a passage into the measurement aperture, the repetitive structure being configured to attenuate electromagnetic signal propagation in a frequency band past the repetitive structure while allowing propagation via the passage;   engaging the AUT by the measurement device such that the measurement aperture is aligned with and faces the radiating element, whereby the passage constitutes an electromagnetically sealed passage between the radiating element and the measurement aperture; and   measuring antenna characteristics of the AUT by the measurement device.