Radio frequency automatic test system based on Access database and spontaneous Trigger
By using an RF automated testing system based on an Access database and self-generated triggers, the problems of difficulty in modifying test case items and insufficient trigger signal control in existing systems are solved. It achieves flexible test configuration and efficient test execution, and is suitable for the receiving and transmitting verification of RF devices.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510835047.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing automated testing systems for radio frequency units are time-consuming and labor-intensive when modifying or adjusting test cases, and cannot achieve multi-timing control and multiple arbitrarily configurable trigger signals, making it difficult to meet complex testing requirements.
An automated RF testing system based on an Access database and self-generated triggers is adopted. The Access database stores test case configuration information, and the trigger control module performs multiple independently controlled trigger signals. Combined with the automated testing system, TX, RX performance tests and Ruggedness tests are performed.
It enables flexible configuration of complex test items, improves verification efficiency, enhances test versatility and scalability, and can independently control the timing of multiple devices to meet complex testing needs.
Smart Images
Figure CN120934653A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated testing technology, and in particular to an automated radio frequency testing system based on an Access database and a self-generated trigger. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, there are two main solutions for automated testing of radio frequency cells:
[0003] 1. Using a test bench is a highly integrated testing solution with a simple testing environment, fast testing speed, and small footprint. Various instruments are plugged into the host in the form of boards, such as power supply boards, spectrum boards, signal source boards, and control boards. However, this solution also has obvious drawbacks. Due to the high integration, it can only test simple test items (such as power, ACLR, current, EVM, and efficiency). Complex test items are difficult to implement (such as noise, filter performance, switching performance, harmonics, IMD, reliability, and ruggedness). In addition, since the entire process is automated through boards, the instruments have no screens or buttons, there are no debugging methods during the test, and it is difficult to modify or adjust test cases. Therefore, it is more often used for mature, later-stage production line testing.
[0004] 2. A discrete automated testing solution is adopted, using benchtop instruments for connection testing. This provides a larger testing space and a more complex testing environment, covering all RF performance parameters. While its integration is relatively low and software implementation is less complex, it is more conducive to test analysis. The automated process can be paused at any time, and waveforms and data can be adjusted via the instrument's display screen, offering a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) experience. This type of testing solution is more commonly used in the R&D experimental phase. However, this solution also has limitations. First, it is difficult to flexibly adjust test cases, especially as new devices become increasingly complex and updates occur more rapidly. Test cases may be frequently updated, resulting in limited adjustability. Second, this solution uses the instrument's own trigger signal, which is then cascaded step-by-step. For example, the trigger signal is emitted by a signal source, connected to the spectrum analyzer, and then the spectrum analyzer is connected to the power meter. Independent trigger control of the signal source, spectrum analyzer, and power meter is not possible, making it unsuitable for more complex test cases and more precise instrument control.
[0005] Based on this, existing automated testing of RF cells has the following two problems:
[0006] 1. Traditional automated testing systems for RF devices fix the test configuration information in the code. Modifying or adjusting test cases is time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially as new devices become increasingly complex and are updated more rapidly, requiring frequent updates to test cases. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more flexible automated testing systems.
[0007] 2. Currently, existing automated testing systems use instrument trigger signals as the trigger signals for TDD signal control. While this method is simple and practical, it doesn't support multi-sequence control or the need for arbitrarily configurable trigger signals. Therefore, using a trigger solution with multiple channels and arbitrary configuration is a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention
[0008] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides an automated radio frequency testing system based on an Access database and a self-generated trigger.
[0009] The technical solution of this invention is implemented as follows:
[0010] This invention provides an automated radio frequency testing system based on an Access database and a self-generated trigger. The system includes an Access database, a trigger control module, and an automated testing system.
[0011] The Access database is used to store configuration information for user-defined test cases;
[0012] The Trigger control module is used to power the device under test, issue MIPI commands, and control multiple independently controlled Trigger signals; the Trigger signals are used to adjust the synchronization or asynchronous requirements of the device.
[0013] The automated testing system is used to perform TX performance testing, RX performance testing, and / or Ruggedness testing based on the issued MIPI instructions and Trigger signals and the configuration information of the test cases.
[0014] In one embodiment, the automated testing system includes test instruments, test meters, signal sources, spectrum analyzers, power supplies, power meters, noise meters, tuners, displays, cables, and power dividers.
[0015] In one embodiment, the automated testing system further includes a host computer and a slave computer; the host computer is used to operate the testing process; and the slave computer is used to configure the instruments and the device under test.
[0016] In one embodiment, the configuration information of the test case includes the configuration standard, frequency band, frequency point, parameters of the modulation signal, and timing.
[0017] In one embodiment, the Trigger control module includes a Trigger control circuit; the Trigger control circuit is used to send multiple independently controlled Trigger signals.
[0018] In one embodiment, the device under test includes an RF transmitting module, an RF receiving module, a filter module, a filter, a discrete switch, and a coupler.
[0019] The solution in this embodiment has the following beneficial effects:
[0020] This embodiment focuses on the verification testing of radio frequency (RF) device reception and transmission. It allows for more flexible configuration of complex test items, enabling arbitrary configuration of test case information such as waveform files, test standards, frequency bands, and modulation, significantly improving verification efficiency. Furthermore, after configuration, software engineers do not need to modify the code; modifications can be directly loaded from the ACCESS database, greatly enhancing test versatility and scalability. Additionally, the Trigger control module can independently output multiple Trigger signals, allowing for independent control of the timing of multiple devices, thus meeting various complex testing requirements. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the RF automated testing system based on an Access database and a self-generated trigger, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main functions of the MIPI control board in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 3 This is a test block diagram for TX and RX classes according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of the RX noise test according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] Figure 5 This is a block diagram for testing the port parameters of a single device in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] Figure 6 This is a block diagram for the reliability testing of passive devices according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] Figure 7 This is a block diagram for timing testing of a single device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] Figure 8 This is a block diagram for PA reliability testing in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0029] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0030] This invention provides an automated radio frequency testing system based on an Access database and a self-generated trigger, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the RF automated test system 100 based on an Access database and a self-generated trigger includes an Access database 101, a trigger control module 102, and an automated test system 103.
[0031] The Access database 101 is used to store configuration information for user-defined test cases;
[0032] The Trigger control module 102 is used to power the device under test, issue MIPI commands, and generate multiple independently controlled Trigger signals; the Trigger signals are used to adjust the synchronization or asynchronous requirements of the device.
[0033] The automated testing system 103 is used to perform TX performance testing, RX performance testing, and / or Ruggedness testing based on the issued MIPI instructions and Trigger signals and the configuration information of the test cases.
[0034] Specifically, the RF automated test system 100 based on an Access database and a self-generated trigger provided in this embodiment mainly includes an Access database 101, a trigger control module 102, and an automated test system 103;
[0035] The automated testing system 103 includes the necessary testing instruments, meters, signal sources, spectrum analyzers, power supplies, power meters, noise meters, tuners, displays, various cables, power dividers, etc.; it also includes a host computer and a slave computer. The host computer can operate the testing process, and the slave computer can configure the instruments and the device under test. The testing system covers TX performance testing, RX performance testing, and Ruggedness testing.
[0036] The automated test configuration is based on Access Database 101, which allows for arbitrary configuration of standards, frequency bands, frequency point selection, modulation signal parameters, timing, etc., providing flexible solutions for custom test cases.
[0037] The Trigger control module 102 is based on a lower-level hardware MIPI board solution. In addition to powering the device under test and sending MIPI commands, the MIPI board also adds a Trigger control circuit. The microcontroller sends out six independently controlled Triggers, the delay of each Trigger can be customized, and they are linked with the MIPI commands for sending.
[0038] The system in this embodiment can more flexibly complete complex test items for verification testing of radio frequency devices' reception and transmission, greatly improving verification efficiency.
[0039] This system can test six categories of devices under test, including RF transmitter modules, RF receiver modules, filter modules, filters, discrete switches, and couplers. The default standard and RB configuration for each type of device under test are shown in Table 1 below, and it also supports custom configuration using an Access database.
[0040] Table 1
[0041]
[0042]
[0043]
[0044] The MIPI control board is a crucial component of the RF automated test system 100, which is based on an Access database and a self-generated trigger. Its main functions are detailed below. Figure 2 .
[0045] The self-generated trigger is a core function of the Access database and the RF automated test system 100, responsible for coordinating the synchronous or asynchronous requirements of a series of devices such as signal sources, spectrum analyzers, power meters, and DUTs. Delays can be accurate to the microsecond level, and it can precisely and flexibly control up to six triggers, enabling the implementation of any complex test case.
[0046] The system provided in this embodiment offers greater flexibility in configuring complex test items for verification testing of radio frequency (RF) devices' reception and transmission, significantly improving verification efficiency. It allows for arbitrary configuration of waveform files, test standards, frequency bands, and modulation, without requiring software engineers to modify the code; modifications can be directly loaded from the Access database, greatly enhancing test versatility and scalability. Furthermore, the MIPI control board can independently output six trigger signals, enabling independent control of the timing of six devices and the DUT, thus meeting various complex test cases.
[0047] The specific implementation of this Access database and the RF automated testing system 100 with its self-generated triggers is as follows:
[0048] Step 1: Prepare for testing and set up the testing environment for instruments and meters.
[0049] Step 2: Open the Access database, define the test content, set the test case details, and save;
[0050] Step 3: Open the testing software, load the Access database test information, and start the test;
[0051] Step 4: Initialize instrument parameters, power supply, and signal source output signals;
[0052] Step 5: Send configuration information via serial port to configure the DUT registers and put them into working state;
[0053] Step Six: Adjust Tuner parameters;
[0054] Step 7: Read the power meter and spectrum information, organize the data and print it.
[0055] in addition, Figures 3-8 This includes test block diagrams and instrument models for various types of equipment under test.
[0056] This embodiment focuses on the verification testing of radio frequency (RF) device reception and transmission. It allows for more flexible configuration of complex test items, enabling arbitrary configuration of test case information such as waveform files, test standards, frequency bands, and modulation, significantly improving verification efficiency. Furthermore, after configuration, software engineers do not need to modify the code; modifications can be directly loaded from the ACCESS database, greatly enhancing test versatility and scalability. Additionally, the Trigger control module can independently output multiple Trigger signals, allowing for independent control of the timing of multiple devices, thus meeting various complex testing requirements.
[0057] It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.
[0058] The above are merely embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.
Claims
1. An automated radio frequency testing system based on an Access database and a self-generated trigger, characterized in that, The system includes an Access database, a trigger control module, and an automated testing system. The Access database is used to store configuration information for user-defined test cases; The Trigger control module is used to power the device under test, issue MIPI commands, and control multiple independently controlled Trigger signals; the Trigger signals are used to adjust the synchronization or asynchronous requirements of the device. The automated testing system is used to perform TX performance testing, RX performance testing, and / or Ruggedness testing based on the issued MIPI instructions and Trigger signals and the configuration information of the test cases.
2. The RF automated testing system based on an Access database and a self-generated trigger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The automated testing system includes testing instruments, testing meters, signal sources, spectrum analyzers, power supplies, power meters, noise meters, tuners, displays, cables, and power dividers.
3. The RF automated testing system based on an Access database and a self-generated trigger as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The automated testing system also includes a host computer and a slave computer; the host computer is used to operate the testing process; and the slave computer is used to configure the instruments and the device under test.
4. The RF automated testing system based on an Access database and a self-generated trigger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The configuration information for the test cases includes the configuration standard, frequency band, frequency point, parameters of the modulation signal, and timing.
5. The RF automated testing system based on an Access database and a self-generated trigger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The Trigger control module includes a Trigger control circuit; the Trigger control circuit is used to send multiple independently controlled Trigger signals.
6. The RF automated testing system based on an Access database and a self-generated trigger as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The device under test includes an RF transmitting module, an RF receiving module, a filter module, a filter, a discrete switch, and a coupler.