Multi-target near-field test system
A test system comprising an array of radiating antenna elements, each antenna element in the array operatively connected to a beam former; and at least one signal generator operatively connected to the beam former; wherein the test system is configured to generate simultaneous plane waves in the near-field region.
1. A test system comprising:
an array of radiating antenna elements, each antenna element in the array operatively connected to a beam former; and
at least one signal generator operatively connected to said beam former; wherein the test system is configured to generate simultaneous plane waves in the near-field region; wherein each radiating antenna element in the array is operatively connected to multiple phase shifters, and each separate phase shifter is driven by a unique waveform; wherein the multiple phase shifters are configured by adjusting the phase shifter setting, a plane wave can be presented to the radar-under-test at various oblique angles; wherein the test system is configured to simultaneously generate multiple plane waves having different oblique angles.
2. The test system according to claim 1 , wherein said beam former is selected from the group consisting of a phase shifter, a digital attenuator, a variable gain amplifier, and combinations thereof.
3. The test system according to claim 2 , wherein the beam former comprises a Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit.
4. The test system according to claim 1 , wherein the radiating antenna element is selected from the group consisting of a single-polarized antenna element and dual-polarized antenna element.
5. The test system according to claim 1 , wherein the array of radiating antenna elements is selected from the group consisting of a planar array, a cylindrical array, a spherical array and combinations thereof.
6. A test system comprising:
an array of radiating antenna elements with each radiating antenna element operatively connected to a combiner;
at least one phase shifter operatively connected to the combiner; wherein the at least one phase shifter is configured by adjusting a phase shifter setting, a plane wave can be presented to the radar-under-test at various oblique angles;
at least one power splitter operatively connected to the at least one phase shifter; and
a signal generator operatively connected to the at least one power splitter; wherein the test system is configured to generate simultaneous plane waves; wherein the test system is configured to simultaneously generate multiple plane waves having different oblique angles.
7. The test system according to claim 6 , wherein each of the radiating antenna elements are configured to be operatively connected to multiple signal generators.
8. The test system according to claim 6 , wherein each radiating antenna element in the array is operatively connected to multiple phase shifters, and each separate phase shifter is driven by a unique waveform.
9. The test system according to claim 6 , further comprising:
an amplifier operatively connected to each of the at least one phase shifter, wherein the amplifier is selected from the group consisting of a variable attenuator and a variable gain amplifier.
10. The test system according to claim 6 , wherein the phase shifter comprises a time delay device.
11. A process for testing a radar-under-test with a test system comprising:
providing an array of radiating antenna elements operatively connected to a combiner; at least one phase shifter operatively connected to the combiner; an amplifier operatively connected to each of the at least one phase shifter; a power splitter operatively connected to the amplifier; and a signal generator operatively connected to the power splitter;
adjusting a phase shifter setting on the at least one phase shifter;
presenting a plane wave to the radar-under-test at various oblique angles;
generating simultaneous plane waves for the radar-under-test; and
configuring the test system to simultaneously generate multiple plane waves having different oblique angles.
12. The process of claim 11 , further comprising:
operatively coupling each radiating antenna element in the array to multiple phase shifters.
13. The process of claim 11 , further comprising:
driving each at least one phase shifter by a unique waveform.
14. The process of claim 11 , further comprising:
changing a signal waveform connected to the at least one phase shifter of each of the radiating antenna elements in the array; and
shifting a radar target in range and Doppler.
15. The process of claim 11 , further comprising:
generating multiple plane waves in a near-field of the radar-under-test;
presenting multiple targets to the radar-under-test simultaneously.
16. The process of claim 11 , further comprising:
using the test system with a single plane wave,
employing the test system as an antenna measurement system; and
determining an antenna under test antenna pattern.