Apparatus and methods for testing patch antennas

An electronic testing system for testing patch antennas, the electronic testing system comprising:

• a test fixture including a first opening and a second opening;
• an automated handler configured to move a patch antenna having a planar antenna element onto and off of a portion of the test fixture between the first opening and the second opening;
• a first probe configured to extend through the first opening without physically contacting the planar antenna element when the patch antenna is on the test fixture;
• a second probe configured to extend through the second opening without physically contacting the planar antenna element when the patch antenna is on the test fixture;
• and
• a signal analyzer configured to generate a test signal on the first probe, and to measure a center frequency of the patch antenna by determining an amount of coupling of the test signal from the first probe to the second probe by way of the planar antenna element.

A method of manufacturing patch antennas, the method comprising:

• making a first patch antenna including a planar antenna element using a batch of dielectric and a first antenna pattern;
• measuring a center frequency of the first patch antenna based on coupling a test signal from a first probe to the planar antenna element without physically contacting the planar antenna element with the first probe, coupling the test signal from the planar antenna element to a second probe without physically contacting the planar antenna element with the second probe, and determining an amount of coupling of the test signal from the first probe to the second probe by way of the planar antenna element;
• selecting a second antenna pattern from a plurality of available antenna patterns based on the measured center frequency;
• and
• making a second patch antenna using the batch of dielectric and the second antenna pattern.