Low cost indoor test facility and method for mobile satellite antennas
First Claim
1. A test system for indoor testing of a mobile antenna terminal having a first antenna with a first aperture of a first size, comprising:
- a second antenna comprising at least one feed and a reflector, said second antenna having a second aperture of a second size, which is two or more times said first size, and being operative to form a plane wave;
a source of an RF test signal, which simulates signals with respect to a repeater in open space, for coupling to said at least one feed;
a test platform that is positioned within said second aperture and adapted for mounting said first antenna to receive said plane wave, said test platform being operative for rotating and tilting movement of said first antenna;
communications test equipment coupled to said first antenna; and
a processor coupled to said communications test equipment for determining a performance of said mobile antenna terminal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A test system and method for indoor testing of a mobile antenna terminal having a first antenna with a first aperture of a first size and, preferably, operable in a receive-only mode and/or a transmit and receive mode. The system uses a second antenna having a dual port feed and a reflector, the second antenna having a second aperture of a second size, which is two or more times the first size, and being operative to form a plane wave. The first antenna is mounted to a test platform that is positioned within the second aperture and is operative for rotating and tilting movement of the antenna to simulate movement on a vehicle. The test system uses a source of RF test signals and communications test equipment coupled to at least the first antenna, as well as a processor for determining a performance of the mobile antenna terminal.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A test system for indoor testing of a mobile antenna terminal having a first antenna with a first aperture of a first size, comprising:
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a second antenna comprising at least one feed and a reflector, said second antenna having a second aperture of a second size, which is two or more times said first size, and being operative to form a plane wave;
a source of an RF test signal, which simulates signals with respect to a repeater in open space, for coupling to said at least one feed;
a test platform that is positioned within said second aperture and adapted for mounting said first antenna to receive said plane wave, said test platform being operative for rotating and tilting movement of said first antenna;
communications test equipment coupled to said first antenna; and
a processor coupled to said communications test equipment for determining a performance of said mobile antenna terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of indoor testing of a mobile antenna terminal having a first antenna with a first aperture of a first size, comprising:
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providing a second antenna, comprising a feed and a reflector, with a second aperture of a second size, which is two or more times said first size, and being operative to form a plane wave;
providing a source of an RF test signal, which simulates signals with respect to a repeater in open space, to said feed for radiation onto said second antenna reflector;
moving said first antenna within said second aperture by changing rotation and tilt, such that movement of said first antenna simulates movement in the field of said mobile antenna terminal with respect to a remote repeater; and
analyzing a signal received by said first antenna for determining a performance of said mobile antenna terminal. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification