Patents by Inventor Steffen Neidhardt

Steffen Neidhardt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11936108
    Abstract: An RCS reduction surface for reducing a radar cross section of an object is described. The RCS reduction surface comprises at least one absorber portion, wherein the absorber portion is configured to absorb radar waves. The RCS reduction surface further comprises at least one reflecting portion, wherein the reflecting portion is configured to reflect radar waves. A first plane being associated with a top surface of the absorber portion and a second plane being associated with a top surface of the reflecting portion are spaced from each other by a predefined distance. The predefined distance is configured such that radar waves with a predefined wavelength range that are reflected at the absorber portion and at the surface of the reflecting portion interfere destructively with each other. Further, an RCS reduction member and a radar test system are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Hamberger, Steffen Neidhardt, Frank Gumbmann, Maximilian Bogner, Benedikt Simper, Matthias Beer
  • Patent number: 11914070
    Abstract: A radar target simulator front end, configured to simulate at least one radar target for testing a radar device under test is provided. The radar target simulator front end comprises at least two antenna units, arranged along a first angle under investigation. The at least two antenna units are configured to be selectively activated and deactivated. Whereby each antenna unit of the at least two antenna units generates a simulated radar target along the first angle under investigation, when activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Hamberger, Matthias Beer, Steffen Neidhardt, Maximilian Bogner, Benedikt Simper
  • Patent number: 11899098
    Abstract: A system for testing a radar under test is provided. The system comprises an antenna array with a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of transceivers downstream to the plurality of antenna elements and a processing unit. In this context, the processing unit is configured to communicate the radar under test by transmitting and/or receiving a two dimensional test pattern and to compare the two dimensional test pattern with a reference pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Yassen Stefanov Mikhailov, Steffen Neidhardt
  • Publication number: 20230305107
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radar test system (10) for testing a device-under-test, DUT (11), comprising an antenna array (13), wherein the antenna array (13) comprises: at least two RX antennas (RX1-4) having a different antenna polarization and at least one TX antenna (TX1-4), or at least two TX antennas (TX1-4) having a different antenna polarization and at least one RX antenna (RX1-4). The radar test system (10) further comprises a selection module (15) configured to select one RX antenna and one TX antenna of the antenna array (13) and to connect the selected RX antenna with the selected TX antenna, wherein the selected RX antenna is configured to receive a radar signal from the DUT (11), and wherein the selected TX antenna is configured to transmit a response signal to the DUT (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard HAMBERGER, Matthias BEER, Steffen NEIDHARDT, Maximilian BOGNER, Benedikt SIMPER, Marius BRINKMANN
  • Publication number: 20230213564
    Abstract: A measuring device includes a first measuring port connected to an optical interface which can be connected to an optical input or output of a device under test (DUT). The device includes a second measuring port which can be connected to a radio frequency (RF) input or output of the DUT. The optical interface is connected to the optical input of the DUT and the second measuring port is connected to the RF output of the DUT. The first measuring port generates an analog measuring signal and provides it to the optical interface. The optical interface generates an optical measuring signal based on the analog measuring signal and provides it to the optical input of the DUT. The second measuring port receives an analog measuring signal generated by the DUT based on the optical measuring signal. The processor determines S-parameters of the DUT based on the two analog measuring signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steffen HEUEL, Steffen NEIDHARDT, Thilo BEDNORZ
  • Patent number: 11630141
    Abstract: A vector network analyzer is provided which includes a first measuring port, a digital interface connected to the first measuring port, a second measuring port adapted to be connected to a radio frequency (RF) input or output of a device under test (DUT), and a processor. The digital interface is adapted to be connected to a digital input or output of the DUT. The processor is adapted to determine scattering parameters (S-parameters) of the DUT based on measuring signals transmitted to the DUT and received from the DUT by the first measuring port and the second measuring port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Heuel, Steffen Neidhardt, Thilo Bednorz
  • Publication number: 20230038708
    Abstract: An absorber device for absorbing signals is described. The absorber device has a housing with inner sides having an absorbing material. The housing is adaptable with regard to its geometry. The absorber device is portable. Moreover, a test system for testing radio frequency characteristics of a device under test is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Neidhardt, Gerhard Hamberger, Michael Freissl, Maximilian Bogner, Matthias Beer
  • Patent number: 11378678
    Abstract: A method for determining the three-dimensional alignment of components of a radar system is described. The radar system is provided that comprises at least one portion which is permeable by radar signals. The radar system is imaged by using millimeter waves emitted by an imaging system. In the image obtained, it is determined the highest magnitude reflection coinciding with at least one of an expected location and an expected distance of the surface of a first component of the radar system being of interest. At least one of the position and the distance of that surface is determined. From the measurement, the relative phase information received from each portion of that surface at the determined position and/or the determined distance is obtained. Processing the phase information obtained so as to obtain the azimuth and tilt of the surface. Further, a testing system is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Neidhardt, Frank Gumbmann, Sherif Sayed Ahmed, Benedikt Simper
  • Publication number: 20220107389
    Abstract: A radar target simulator with no lower target distance limitation and continuous distance emulation is provided. Said radar target simulator comprises a receiving unit configured to receive a radar signal from a radar under test and to provide a corresponding receive signal, and a ramp slope estimating unit. In this context, the ramp slope estimating unit is configured to track the ramp slope of the radar under test on the basis of the receive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Christoph BIRKENHAUER, Gerhard HAMBERGER, Matthias BEER, Maximilian BOGNER, Steffen NEIDHARDT, Benedikt SIMPER, Marius BRINKMANN, Christian CARLOWITZ, Patrick STIEF, Georg Körner
  • Publication number: 20220099824
    Abstract: A radar target simulation system for simulating at least one radar target is disclosed. The radar target simulation system includes a processing circuit and an antenna array that is connected with the processing circuit. The antenna array is configured to receive a radar signal from a device under test, thereby generating an input signal. The processing circuit is configured to receive the input signal generated by the antenna array. The processing circuit is configured to simulate the at least one radar target based on the input signal. The processing circuit further is configured to simulate at least one additional event, wherein the at least one additional event is associated with at least one of the at least one radar target and an environment of the at least one radar target. The processing circuit is configured to generate an output signal for the antenna array based on the simulation of the at least one radar target and based on the simulation of the at least one additional event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Beer, Steffen Neidhardt, Maximilian Bogner, Benedikt Simper, Gerhard Hamberger
  • Publication number: 20220037797
    Abstract: An RCS reduction surface for reducing a radar cross section of an object is described. The RCS reduction surface comprises at least one absorber portion, wherein the absorber portion is configured to absorb radar waves. The RCS reduction surface further comprises at least one reflecting portion, wherein the reflecting portion is configured to reflect radar waves. A first plane being associated with a top surface of the absorber portion and a second plane being associated with a top surface of the reflecting portion are spaced from each other by a predefined distance. The predefined distance is configured such that radar waves with a predefined wavelength range that are reflected at the absorber portion and at the surface of the reflecting portion interfere destructively with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Gerhard Hamberger, Steffen Neidhardt, Frank Gumbmann, Maximilian BOGNER, Benedikt Simper, Matthias Beer
  • Patent number: 11231458
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for aligning a measurement system suitable for radio frequency measurement of a device under test. The system includes an alignment device, a measurement module and an indication module. The alignment device includes at least two alignment antennas configured to receive a signal over-the-air from a measurement antenna of the measurement system. The measurement module is configured to measure a phase difference between the at least two alignment antennas receiving the signal. The indication module is configured to indicate the measured phase difference between the at least two alignment antennas or a reference quantity associated with the measured phase difference. Further, a method of aligning a measurement system used for radio frequency measurement of a device under test is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Neidhardt, Josef Schmoeller, Corbett Rowell, Daniel Markert
  • Publication number: 20220003852
    Abstract: A LIDAR target simulator for testing a LIDAR device is described. The LIDAR target simulator includes a screen, a light impinging determination module, a control and/or analysis circuit and a response generation module. The light impinging determination module is configured to determine the location of impinging light on the screen and to forward information concerning the location determined to the control and/or analysis circuit. The control and/or analysis circuit is configured to process the information concerning the location determined by the light impinging determination module and to determine a response based on a target scenario applied. The control and/or analysis circuit is further configured to control the response generation module in accordance with the response determined. The response generation module is configured to generate a diffuse response signal to be received by the LIDAR device. Further, a LIDAR testing system and a method of testing a LIDAR device are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Neidhardt, Matthias Beer, Maximilian Bogner, Benedikt Simper, Gerhard Hamberger
  • Publication number: 20210373122
    Abstract: A radar target simulator front end, configured to simulate at least one radar target for testing a radar device under test is provided. The radar target simulator front end comprises at least two antenna units, arranged along a first angle under investigation. The at least two antenna units are configured to be selectively activated and deactivated. Whereby each antenna unit of the at least two antenna units generates a simulated radar target along the first angle under investigation, when activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Gerhard HAMBERGER, Matthias BEER, Steffen NEIDHARDT, Maximilian BOGNER, Benedikt SIMPER
  • Publication number: 20210356516
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for aligning a measurement system suitable for radio frequency measurement of a device under test. The system includes an alignment device, a measurement module and an indication module. The alignment device includes at least two alignment antennas configured to receive a signal over-the-air from a measurement antenna of the measurement system. The measurement module is configured to measure a phase difference between the at least two alignment antennas receiving the signal. The indication module is configured to indicate the measured phase difference between the at least two alignment antennas or a reference quantity associated with the measured phase difference. Further, a method of aligning a measurement system used for radio frequency measurement of a device under test is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Neidhardt, Josef Schmoeller, Corbett Rowell, Daniel Markert
  • Publication number: 20210223301
    Abstract: A vector network analyzer is provided which includes a first measuring port, a digital interface connected to the first measuring port, a second measuring port adapted to be connected to a radio frequency (RF) input or output of a device under test (DUT), and a processor. The digital interface is adapted to be connected to a digital input or output of the DUT. The processor is adapted to determine scattering parameters (S-parameters) of the DUT based on measuring signals transmitted to the DUT and received from the DUT by the first measuring port and the second measuring port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Steffen HEUEL, Steffen NEIDHARDT, Thilo BEDNORZ
  • Patent number: 11041894
    Abstract: A vector network analyzer comprises a first measuring port, a first digital interface, connected to the first measuring port, adapted to be connected to a digital input or output of a device under test, and a second measuring port, adapted to be connected to a radio frequency input or output of the device under test. It also comprises a processor, adapted to determine S-parameters of the device under test based upon measuring signals transmitted to the device under test and receive from the device under test by the first measuring port and the second measuring port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Heuel, Steffen Neidhardt, Thilo Bednorz
  • Publication number: 20200393559
    Abstract: A system for testing a radar under test is provided. The system comprises an antenna array with a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of transceivers downstream to the plurality of antenna elements and a processing unit. In this context, the processing unit is configured to communicate the radar under test by transmitting and/or receiving a two dimensional test pattern and to compare the two dimensional test pattern with a reference pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Yassen Stefanov MIKHAILOV, Steffen NEIDHARDT
  • Patent number: 10778201
    Abstract: A system to create periodic pulse sequences with defined absolute phase comprises a phase coherent analyzer and a pulse generator. The phase coherent analyzer and the pulse generator are connected with each other. The pulse generator has a clock input connected to the analyzer for receiving a clock signal from the analyzer. The system comprises a trigger line via which a marker signal is provided to at least one of the analyzer and the pulse generator. The marker signal temporally aligns an output signal of the pulse generator with a measurement process of the analyzer. Further, a method of creating periodic pulse sequences with defined absolute phase is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Neidhardt, Matthias Ruengeler, Jakob Hammer
  • Patent number: 10605839
    Abstract: A system for determining scattering parameters of a frequency-converting device under test using a network analyzer determines the system errors which occur between the individual ports (1, 2) of the frequency-converting device under test (3) and the ports (4, 5) of the network analyzer (6) connected to the ports (1, 2) of the frequency-converting device under test (3) and measures the system-error-containing signals incoming and outgoing in each case at the individual ports (1, 2) of the frequency-converting device under test (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Paech, Georg Ortler, Steffen Neidhardt