Back-scattered Field Overmoded Waveguide Measurement Chamber for Integrated Antennas at 100+GHz
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB - Institutionen för Elektroteknik Avd f kommunikation antenner & |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 400 000 |
| Project duration | November 2021 - April 2022 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | The strategic innovation programme Electronic Components and Systems: |
| Call | Electronic Components and Systems: Feasability Studies 2021 |
Important results from the project
We have proposed and numerically demonstrated a new mm-wave overmoded-waveguide measurement chamber that could overcome the critical propagation loss of conventional antenna anechoic chambers at frequencies beyond 100 GHz by creating a confined propagation environment for an antenna under test (AUT) instead of free space. A dynamic range of such a measurement setup can be up to 80dB (in simulations) for typical integrated antennas (e.g. Antenna-on-Chip, Antenna-in-Package). More research is on the way and is expected to result in the continuation project application.
Expected long term effects
The proposed methodology has the potential to simplify and shorten the full testing process of wireless devices considerably. It opens up at least two roadmaps, e.g. fast R&D measurements for validating design concepts or fast production testing of advanced AoC/AiP/AiM products. The continuation of research is likely to yield results that can be commercialized by the present industrial partner (Ericsson) and its collaborators (e.g. Bluetest).
Approach and implementation
The prestudy has resulted in the derived following baseline design of the OWG chamber demonstrator to be considered in the continuation project. Frequencies of the DUTs: W-band (95-120 GHz); Directivity of the AoC under test, 5-7 dBi; the number of the AoC elements from 1 to 4 elements in a sub-arrya; the area of the test zone of the OWG chamber demonstrator is 5x5 wavelength; the impedance recovering accuracy inside the OWG chamber is better than 15%; the dynamic range of the measurement setup (defined by CDF of 95%) isbetter or equal to 80 dB; the OWG dimensions are 20x11x11 wavelength.