RF & microwave components

Measurement of Beamforming Antenna in Transmit Mode

Rapid and accurate verification of beamforming weights is required for example, for codebook generation or beamforming algorithm development or verification. This document describes the unique application of Rohde & Schwarz VNA (Vector Network Analyzers) to fully characterize the passive part of multi-element antennas intended for beamforming.

A range of R&S VNA models are optionally equipped with multiple independent sources, whose relative amplitude and phase may be arbitrarily controlled ("defined coherence mode"), in addition to frequency and true time delay. These sources may be connected to individual elements of a multi-element antenna to derive and verify transmit (Tx) mode beamsteering and beamforming operation.

The R&S®ZVA in "Defined Coherence Mode" can electronically be switched to / from the conventional S-parameter mode. Therefore, Sparameter and beamforming measurements may be performed efficiently within a single connection cycle of the antenna.

Multiple VNA may be daisy-chained, to extend the concept shown to support an arbitrary number of ports.

The R&S®Quickstep sequencing software may be downloaded from:

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/software/quickstep/

Beamforming
Name
Type
Version
Date
Size
Measurement of Beamforming Antenna in Transmit Mode | 1MA278
Type
Application Note
Version
0e
Date
20-Mar-2017
Size
2 MB
Result Viewer Installer | 1MA278

Installation file for viewing and post-processing of measurement data gathered from the Quickstep driven test as well as the exemplary measurement data provided. Requires MATLAB runtimes (installed automatically with internet connection), but not MATLAB license.

Type
Application Note File
Version
Date
20-Mar-2017
Size
4 MB
Ka 4x10 Array Sample Mmt | 1MA278

MATLAB® datafile containing Tx Beamforming measurement data on 4 elements of our Ka-band antenna array. This data may be imported into the Result Viewer or in MATLAB itself.

Type
Application Note File
Version
Date
20-Mar-2017
Size
834 kB
Quickstep Beamforming Mmt | 1MA278

Archived Quickstep project enabling control of the R&S®ZVA as a signal source, the FSx as a signal analyzer and Arduino enabled turntable.

Type
Application Note File
Version
Date
20-Mar-2017
Size
1 MB
Related solutions