Test method and arrangement

Abstract

A method and arrangement for testing wireless connectivity are provided. The method includes: obtaining (500) a three-dimensional model of a given environment; obtaining (502) a ray-tracing calculation describing the propagation of radio frequency signals in the given environment; locating (504) one or more devices in the given environment; determining (506) radio frequency signal properties of the one or more devices communicating with the device under test using the ray-tracing calculation; sending (508) control information to a radio frequency controller unit for updating the connection between the one or more devices and a set of antenna elements to match the determined properties; obtaining (510) information about the location and propagation environment of the one or more devices; and updating (512) the radio frequency signal properties of the one or more devices if the location or propagation environment changes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary and non-limiting embodiments relate to methods and arrangements for testing wireless connections. Background Art

[0002] Wireless telecommunication systems are constantly evolving. There is a constant need for higher data rates and high quality of service. Partly for these reasons, modern telecommunication systems, such as fifth generation 5G networks, are moving towards millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies in search of wide spectrum access, which ultimately enables extremely high data rates.

[0003] In order to achieve high capacity and data rates, phased antenna arrays are planned to be used in the transmission and reception of signals. Phased antenna arrays generally include multiple antennas spaced a given distance from each other. The signal to be transmitted is fed to the multiple antennas comprising the antenna array, and the signal to each antenna is phased so that the antenna array forms an antenna beam (the so-called main lobe) to the desired direction.

[0004] Multiple-input multiple-output, or MIMO, is the term used for methods of sending and receiving more than one data signal simultaneously over the same radio channel. Massive MIMO, mMIMO, is the term used when the number of antennas is very large.

[0005] The algorithms associated with MIMO and mMIMO are complex, and over-the-air measurements are often required to obtain performance data for the system. This is a laborious and expensive task. Summary of the invention

[0006] A simplified summary of the invention is presented below to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not a broad overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key / important elements of the invention or to describe the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a preface to a more detailed description presented later.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a device comprises: a processing unit; a circuit system connecting one or more devices to the device; a circuit system connecting the device to a group of antenna elements; a circuit system connecting one or more devices to a group of antenna elements; one or more circuit systems configured to synchronously adjust the connection between one or more devices and a group of antenna elements and the power, phase and delay of the signal based on a control signal from the processing unit; and an interface connected to the processing unit and configured to send and receive data with an external device; the processing unit is configured to receive control instructions from the external device.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a device includes: a circuit system for communicating with a radio frequency controller unit, the radio frequency controller unit controls the connection between one or more devices and a group of antenna elements; a circuit system for communicating with a tested device, the tested device being configured to send or receive one or more signals to or from a group of antenna elements; a circuit system for obtaining a three-dimensional model of a given environment; a circuit system for obtaining ray tracing calculations that describe the propagation of radio frequency signals in a given environment; at least one processor; and at least one memory, including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the device to at least perform: locating one or more devices in a given environment; determining radio frequency signal properties of one or more devices communicating with the tested device using ray tracing calculations; sending control information to the radio frequency controller unit for updating the connection between the one or more devices and a group of antenna elements to match the determined properties; obtaining information about the location and propagation environment of one or more devices, and updating the radio frequency signal properties of one or more devices; and updating the radio frequency signal properties of one or more devices if the location or propagation environment changes.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a device includes: a component for processing; a component for connecting one or more devices to the device; a component for connecting the device to a group of antenna elements; a component for connecting one or more devices to a group of antenna elements; a component for sending and receiving data with an external device; a component for receiving control instructions from an external device; and a component for synchronously adjusting the connection between one or more devices and a group of antenna elements and the power, phase and delay of the signal based on the control signal.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for testing a cellular connection comprises: a component for communicating with a radio frequency controller unit, the radio frequency controller unit controlling the connection between one or more devices and a group of antenna elements, a component for communicating with a device under test, the device under test being configured to send or receive one or more signals to or from a group of antenna elements, a component for obtaining a three-dimensional model of a given environment, a component for obtaining a ray tracing calculation describing the propagation of a radio frequency signal in a given environment, a component for locating one or more devices in a given environment, a component for determining radio frequency signal properties of one or more devices communicating with the device under test using ray tracing calculations, a component for sending control information to the radio frequency controller unit, the control information being used to update the connection between the one or more devices and a group of antenna elements to match the determined properties; a component for obtaining information about the location and propagation environment of one or more devices and updating the radio frequency signal properties of one or more devices, and a component for updating the radio frequency signal properties of one or more devices when the location or propagation environment changes.

[0011] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a method in an apparatus includes: providing a connection between one or more devices and a group of antenna elements; receiving a command to synchronously adjust the switching between the one or more devices and the group of antenna elements and the radio frequency properties of the signal; based on the received command, switching each of the one or more devices to a given number of antenna elements in the group of antenna elements, and adjusting the amplitude, phase and delay of the signal.

[0012] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a method for testing a cellular connection includes: obtaining a three-dimensional model of a given environment; obtaining a ray tracing calculation describing the propagation of a radio frequency signal in the given environment; locating one or more devices in the given environment; determining radio frequency signal properties of one or more devices communicating with the device under test using ray tracing calculations; sending control information to a radio frequency controller unit for updating a connection between one or more devices and a set of antenna elements to match the determined properties; obtaining information about the location and propagation environment of one or more devices; and updating the radio frequency signal properties of one or more devices if the location or propagation environment changes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] One or more examples of implementations are set forth in more detail in the drawings and description that follow. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates the general architecture of an example communication system;

[0015] Figure 2A and Figure 2BAn example of a general architecture of a test arrangement of an embodiment is illustrated;

[0016] Figure 3 and 4 illustrates a simplified example of an apparatus to which some embodiments of the present invention may be applied;

[0017] Figure 5 and 6 are flow charts illustrating some examples of embodiments;

[0018] Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 A simplified example of a test scenario is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following, as examples of access architectures to which the embodiments may be applied, different exemplary embodiments will be described using a radio access architecture based on Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-Advanced, LTE-A) or New Radio (NR, 5G), however, the embodiments are not limited to such architectures. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the embodiments may also be applied to other kinds of communication networks with suitable components by appropriately adjusting the parameters and procedures. Some examples of other options for suitable systems are Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN or E-UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE, same as E-UTRA), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), systems using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or any combination thereof.

[0020] Figure 1 An example of a simplified system architecture is depicted, showing only some elements and functional entities, all being logical units, the implementation of which may differ from what is shown. Figure 1 The connections shown are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the system typically includes, in addition to Figure 1 Other functions and structures than those shown.

[0021] However, the embodiments are not limited to the systems given as examples, but a person skilled in the art may apply the solutions to other communication systems provided with the necessary properties.

[0022] Figure 1 The example shows a portion of an exemplary radio access network.

[0023] Figure 1 Shown are user equipment 100 and 102 configured to be in a wireless connection on one or more communication channels in a cell, where an access node (such as (e / g) NodeB) 104 provides the cell. The physical link from the user equipment to the (e / g) NodeB is referred to as an uplink or reverse link, and the physical link from the (e / g) NodeB to the user equipment is referred to as a downlink or forward link. It should be appreciated that the (e / g) NodeB or its functionality may be implemented using any node, host, server or access point entity suitable for such usage.

[0024] The communication system usually includes more than one (e / g)NodeB, in which case the (e / g)NodeB may also be configured to communicate with each other via wired or wireless links designed for this purpose. These links may be used for data and signaling purposes. (e / g)NodeB is a computing device configured to control the radio resources of the communication system coupled thereto. The NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point or any other type of interface device including a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment. (e / g)NodeB includes or is coupled to a transceiver. The connection is provided to an antenna unit from the transceiver of the (e / g)NodeB, which establishes a bidirectional radio link to the user equipment. The antenna unit may include multiple antennas or antenna elements. (e / g)NodeB is also connected to a core network 106 (CN or next generation core NGC). Depending on the system, the other party on the CN side may be a serving gateway (S-GW, routing and forwarding user data packets), a packet data network gateway (P-GW) or a mobile management entity (MME) for providing connectivity between a user equipment (UE) and an external packet data network, etc.

[0025] User equipment (also referred to as UE, user device, user terminal, terminal device, etc.) illustrates a type of device to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, so any features described herein with user equipment can be implemented with corresponding devices such as relay nodes, etc. An example of such a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self-backhaul relay) directed to a base station.

[0026] User equipment generally refers to a portable computing device including a wireless mobile communication device operating with or without a subscriber identity module (SIM), including but not limited to the following types of devices: mobile stations (mobile phones), smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, devices using wireless modems (alarms or measuring devices, etc.), laptops and / or touch screen computers, tablet computers, game consoles, notebook computers, and multimedia devices. It should be understood that user equipment can also be almost exclusively uplink-only devices, examples of which are cameras or video cameras that load images or video clips to a network. User equipment can also be a device with the ability to operate in an Internet of Things (IoT) network, which is a scene in which objects are provided with the ability to transfer data through a network without human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. User equipment can also utilize the cloud. In some applications, a user device may include a small portable device with a radio part (such as a watch, headphones, or glasses), and the calculation is performed in the cloud. The user device (or in some embodiments, a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more of the user device functionalities. A user device may also be called a subscriber unit, a mobile station, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, or User Equipment (UE), to mention just a few names or devices.

[0027] The various techniques described herein can also be applied to cyber-physical systems (CPS) (systems of computing elements that collaboratively control physical entities). CPS can enable the implementation and development of a large number of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber-physical systems, where the physical systems in question have inherent mobility, are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic products transported by people or animals.

[0028] Additionally, although the apparatus has been depicted as a single entity, different units, processors and / or memory units (not shown) may be Figure 1 All shown in ) can be implemented.

[0029] 5G enables the use of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites that operate in collaboration with smaller stations and employ multiple radio technologies depending on service requirements, use cases and / or available spectrum. 5G mobile communications support a wide range of use cases and related applications, including video streaming, augmented reality, different ways of data sharing, and various forms of machine-type applications (such as (massive) machine-type communications (mMTC)), including vehicle safety, different sensors and real-time control. 5G is expected to have multiple radio interfaces, namely, below 6GHz, cmWave and mmWave, and can also be integrated with existing traditional radio access technologies (such as LTE). At least in the early stages, integration with LTE can be implemented as a system where macro coverage is provided by LTE, and by aggregation to LTE, 5G radio interface access comes from small cells. In other words, 5G is planned to support inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz-cmWave, below 6GHz-cmWave-mmWave). One of the concepts being considered for use in 5G networks is network slicing, in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual subnets (network instances) can be created within the same infrastructure to run services with different requirements for latency, reliability, throughput and mobility.

[0030] The current architecture in LTE networks is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. Low-latency applications and services in 5G require content to be close to the radio, resulting in local breakout and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analysis and knowledge generation at the data source. This approach requires the use of resources that may not be continuously connected to the network, such as laptops, smartphones, tablet computers, and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also has the ability to store and process content near cellular subscribers to speed up response time. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies, such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data collection, mobile signature analysis, collaborative distributed peer-to-peer self-organizing networking and processing, and can also be classified as local cloud / fog computing and grid / net computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, micro-cloud, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomous self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (large-scale connectivity and / or latency critical), critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analysis, time-critical control, healthcare applications).

[0031] The communication system may also be able to communicate with or utilize services provided by other networks, such as the public switched telephone network or the Internet 112. The communication network may also be able to support the use of cloud services, for example, at least a portion of the core network operations may be performed as a cloud service (this is in the Figure 1 114). The communication system may also include a central control entity or the like, which provides facilities for networks of different operators to collaborate, for example in spectrum sharing.

[0032] Edge cloud can enter the radio access network (RAN) by leveraging network function virtualization (NVF) and software defined networking (SDN). Using edge cloud may mean that access node operations will be performed at least partially in a server, host or node that is operably coupled to a remote radio head or base station including the radio part. It is also possible that the node operation will be distributed among multiple servers, nodes or hosts. The application of cloudRAN architecture enables RAN real-time functions to be performed on the RAN side (in the distributed unit DU 104) and non-real-time functions to be performed in a centralized manner (in the centralized unit CU108).

[0033] It should also be understood that the labor distribution between core network operations and base station operations may be different from LTE or even non-existent. Some other technological advances that may be used are big data and all-IP, which may change the way networks are built and managed. 5G (or New Radio NR) networks are designed to support multiple hierarchical structures, where MEC servers can be placed between the core and the base station or nodeB (gNB). It should be understood that MEC can also be applied to 4G networks.

[0034] In an embodiment, 5G may also utilize satellite communications to enhance or supplement the coverage of 5G services, for example by providing backhaul. Possible use cases are to provide service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices or onboard passengers, or to ensure service availability for critical communications and future rail / maritime / aeronautical communications. Satellite communications may utilize geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite systems, as well as low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, in particular mega-constellations (systems where hundreds of (nano) satellites are deployed). Each satellite 106 in a mega-constellation may cover multiple satellite-enabled network entities creating a ground cell. A ground cell may be created by a ground relay node 104 or by a gNB located on the ground or in a satellite.

[0035] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the depicted system is only an example of a part of a radio access system, and in practice the system may include multiple (e / g)NodeBs, a user equipment may access multiple radio cells, and the system may also include other devices of at least one (e / g)NodeB, such as a physical layer relay node or other network element, or may be a home (e / g)nodeB. Additionally, in a geographical area of ​​the radio communication system, multiple different kinds of radio cells as well as multiple radio cells may be provided. The radio cells may be macro cells (or umbrella cells), which are large cells typically having a diameter of up to tens of kilometers, or small cells such as micro cells, femto cells or pico cells. Figure 1 The (e / g)NodeB can provide any kind of these cells. The cellular radio system can be implemented as a multi-layer network including multiple cells. Usually, in a multi-layer network, one access node provides one or more cells, so multiple (e / g)NodeBs are needed to provide this network structure.

[0036] In order to meet the needs of improving the deployment and performance of communication systems, the concept of "plug and play" (e / g) NodeB has been introduced. Generally, a network that can use "plug and play" (e / g) NodeB includes a home (e / g) NodeB gateway or HNB-GW (not in Figure 1 ). An HNB gateway (HNB-GW) that is usually installed in an operator's network may aggregate services from a large number of HNBs back to the core network.

[0037] As described, the radio access network can be split into two logical entities called central unit (CU) and distributed unit (DU). In the prior art, both CU and DU are supplied by the same supplier. Therefore, they are designed together and the interaction between the units is easy. The interface between CU and DU is currently being standardized by 3GPP, and it is represented as F1 interface. Therefore, in the future, network operators can flexibly choose different suppliers for CU and DU. Different suppliers can provide different failure and recovery characteristics for the unit. If the failure and recovery scenarios of the unit are not handled in a coordinated manner, inconsistent states in CU and DU will result (for example, subsequent call failures may result). Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the potential differences in resilience capabilities between CU and DU, so that CU and DU from different suppliers can coordinate operations to handle failure conditions and recovery.

[0038] As mentioned, antenna arrays with multiple antennas can be utilized in modern wireless communication systems. In an embodiment, the antenna array includes a set of phased subarrays, each phased subarray includes a set of antennas, and each phased subarray is configured to transmit or receive an independent data signal in a given direction using a beam.

[0039] Phased antenna arrays are particularly useful at high frequencies such as mmW frequencies because, due to the high frequencies, multiple antennas can be designed in a relatively compact form factor. Using many antennas in an array improves directivity, and this high antenna directivity can be used to compensate for the high path loss at higher frequencies.

[0040] In MIMO, typically multiple antennas in an antenna array are used to send and receive each data signal. In massive MIMO, mMIMO, the number of antennas is large. With a large number of antenna elements in an antenna array, one or more beams specific to each user can be assigned. Beams can also be assigned to each user and steered to follow a moving user.

[0041] Beamforming and mMIMO introduce new possibilities and challenges in the design and use of telecommunication systems. Beamforming and mMIMO require complex processing in the (e / g)NodeB and measuring the actual performance of the transmission usually requires over-the-air measurements, since most components are directly integrated into the antenna. For example, the measurements can be done using a moving car equipped with suitable measurement hardware. However, these measurements are very expensive and are one-time measurement runs. Since external conditions are constantly changing, the situation cannot be rechecked. Therefore, there is an increasing need to simulate different real-life use cases in a controlled way.

[0042] Figure 2A The drawings illustrate examples of arrangements for testing or simulating the operation of a base station, an access point or (e / g)NodeB and user terminals connected to the (e / g)NodeB. Figure 2A The arrangement includes various devices that are not completely required in all embodiments. As known to those skilled in the art, simulation and testing can be performed in various ways using variable hardware and software. Some examples of different simulation situations are discussed below.

[0043] In an embodiment, the arrangement may include means 200 for obtaining a three-dimensional 3D model of a given physical environment. For example, the environment may be a city, a stadium, a factory, any exterior or interior area or a part of a room or building or a mixture of different types of environments. The means may create the 3D model or obtain the model from a known source.

[0044] In an embodiment, the arrangement may comprise means 202 for performing raytracing in a given physical environment where a 3D model exists. Raytracing is a known technique for obtaining a model of how radio signals propagate in a given environment, multipath propagation, reflection and scattering.

[0045] The arrangement includes a device under test DUT 204, which in this embodiment is a base station, access point or (e / g)NodeB or a remote radio head of a base station. The DUT 204 can be configured to transmit a radio signal 206. The DUT may or may not have beamforming capabilities. Thus, the DUT may transmit using one or more beams that may be moving beams or have fixed directions, or the DUT may utilize a known transmission mode in its transmission.

[0046] In an embodiment, the arrangement includes a set of antenna elements 208 that may be mounted in the form of a wall structure 210, wherein the antenna elements are placed in an array at a given distance from each other. The distance between the antenna elements may be constant, or may vary. The number of antenna elements and the size of the wall structure may be design parameters and may depend on the implementation.

[0047] Each of the antenna elements is connected 212 to a radio frequency RF controller 214. In addition, one or more devices 216, 218 are connected 220, 222 to the RF controller. The one or more devices 216, 218 may be user terminals, signal generators or measurement devices such as spectrum analyzers or power meters.

[0048] In an embodiment, the arrangement includes a control device 224 connected 226 to the RF controller 214 and connected 228 to the DUT 204. The device 224 can be configured to control the operation of the RD controller. In an embodiment, the device is connected 230 to one or more devices 216, 218. The device can also receive 232 3D models and ray tracing data 234 from the devices 200, 202. The device 224 can also be connected 236 to an external network 238, such as the Internet. In an embodiment, the device 224 can be connected 240 to a set of virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) glasses 242 worn by a user. Instead of or in addition to the glasses 242, a display can be used.

[0049] In an embodiment, the RF controller 214 includes an additional input 244 that enables commands to be given to the RF controller.

[0050] The above description of the test arrangement is an example of a possible setup. As known to those skilled in the art, depending on the application, different devices and equipment may be combined or divided into different physical devices. For example, the devices 200 and 202 for creating the 3D model and ray tracing and the control device 224 may be executed in the same physical device, or they may also be located elsewhere and accessible via the Internet. Depending on the application, Figure 2A and Figure 2B Various modifications of the settings are available.

[0051] By enabling communication with one or more devices 216, 218, Figure 2A The arrangement may be used to test the operation of the device under test 204 (ie, a base station, access point, (e / g)NodeB or corresponding apparatus).

[0052] The DUT 204 may be configured to establish a connection with one or more devices 216 , 218 by transmitting one or more beams 206 to a wall structure 210 including a set of antenna elements 208 .

[0053] The RF controller 214 is configured to support routing RF signals between one or more devices 216, 218 and a set of antenna elements. The RF controller can be configured to connect each of the devices 216, 218 to one or more antenna elements on the wall structure 210. The location of the antenna element to which the device is connected and therefore the location of the one or more connection points of the device on the wall structure can be changed. From the perspective of the DUT 204, this corresponds to a moving user.

[0054] The RF controller is also configured to manipulate or control the RF signal when necessary. Manipulation or control may include attenuating or delaying the signal and changing the phase of the signal.

[0055] Thus, from the perspective of the DUT 204, the location and RF signal properties of the devices 216, 218 change as if the devices were in a natural environment, such as, for example, a city, a stadium, a factory, any exterior or interior area or part of a room or building.

[0056] In an embodiment, the actions performed by the RF controller 214 are synchronized in time. The RF controller can maintain a log of all actions performed by the RF controller. For example, changing the signal position for each device 216, 218 happens at the same time, changing the attenuation for each device 216, 218 happens at the same time, and so on. This enables repeatable, reliable and precisely controlled test sequences. For example, a given test scenario can be repeated multiple times in exactly the same way as required until the DUT 204 is running normally and the solution to the problem is working. The logs of participating devices (e.g., logs from the DUT and devices 216, 218) can also be synchronized with the log of the RF controller to have a complete and synchronized set of logs.

[0057] In an embodiment, a control device 224 connected 226 to the RF controller 214 and connected 228 to the DUT 204 can control the test simulation. The device 224 can obtain a three-dimensional model of a given environment and ray tracing results of the same environment. The ray tracing information enables the test arrangement to simulate the RF behavior of the transceiver in the modeled environment using a physical lab space with a real DUT and real devices 216, 218.

[0058] In an embodiment, the real world location is converted into a digital 3D model. The control device 224 can place the real devices 216, 218 connected to the RF controller 214 in a given position in the 3D model environment. Using the ray tracing information, the control device 224 can control the RD controller to simulate the RF environment experienced by the devices 216, 218 to be the same as they experience in the real world location. The devices 216, 218 communicate with the DUT 204, and the RF controller 214 controls the properties of the RF signal between the DUT and the devices 216, 218 by adjusting the amplitude, delay and phase (for example) and the antenna elements connected to the devices 216, 218. Therefore, all multipath propagation, reflection, diffraction, and fading curves experienced by the user terminal in the real world can be implemented in a controlled and synchronized manner in the test arrangement. If necessary, all test simulation actions and results can be stored and replayed.

[0059] In the proposed test arrangement, several test cases are possible. For example, for a DUT 204 such as a base station or access point, the data throughput can be tested using, for example, one static user terminal, multiple static user terminals, one mobile user terminal with varying speed, or multiple mobile user terminals with varying speed, or a combination of these cases.

[0060] In an embodiment, one of the user terminals can be replaced by a spectrum analyzer or a power meter. This enables, for example, power density measurements in each antenna position. For example, the ability of a base station to accurately direct RF energy to a user can be tested in this way.

[0061] In an embodiment, creating interference to a base station is accomplished by replacing one of the user terminals with a signal generator.

[0062] Figure 2B The accompanying drawings illustrate examples of arrangements for testing or simulating the operation of one or more user terminals connected to one or more (e / g)NodeBs. From a hardware perspective, Figure 2B The arrangement is similar to Figure 2A The arrangement of the apparatus is not repeated here. As known to those skilled in the art, simulation and testing can be performed in various ways using variable hardware and software. Some examples of different simulation situations are discussed below.

[0063] In this embodiment, the device under test DUT 250 is one or more user terminals. Figure 2A As in the embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement includes a set of antenna elements 208, which may be mounted in the form of a wall structure 210. Each of the antenna elements is connected 212 to an RF controller 214. In addition, one or more devices 252, 254 are connected 220, 222 to the RF controller. In this embodiment, the one or more devices 252, 254 may be a base station, an access point or a (e / g)NodeB or a remote radio head of a base station. In this example, there are two devices 252, 254, such as base stations or access points, but the number of devices is not limited to two.

[0064] In an embodiment, a signal 256 from a base station or access point 252 may be directed toward a given antenna element 258 on the wall 208. In this example, the element 258 is on the left side of the wall. In turn, a signal 260 from a base station or access point 254 may be directed toward another given antenna element 262 on the wall 208. In this example, the element 262 is on the right side of the wall. The DUT or user terminal 250 needs to decide which of the signals 256, 260 it will start following. With the aid of the RF controller 220, these signals 256, 260 from the two base stations 252, 254 may be manipulated, for example, in terms of RF properties such as power or delay and performance, and the behavior of the user terminal(s) 250 may be monitored.

[0065] In another example, the signal from the base station 252 is directed towards a given antenna element on a wall, and then the signal is moved to the next antenna element with a given attenuation, and so on. The user terminal experiences this as movement or rotation of the user terminal. The performance and behavior of the user terminal is such a situation that can be monitored.

[0066] In another example, a signal from a given base station is directed to multiple antenna elements with given attenuation and RF properties. The user terminal receives the experience as multipath propagation of the base station signal, and the operation of the user terminal can be monitored. Various other simulations can also be performed to test the operation of the user terminal.

[0067] Figure 3 An example of an implementation of an RF controller 214 is illustrated. The RF controller includes circuitry 300A, 300B that connects 220, 222 one or more devices to the RF controller. In an embodiment, the circuitry may be one or more splitter / combiner units 300A, 300B. The RF controller also includes circuitry 308 that connects 212 one or more devices to a set of antenna elements 208. In an embodiment, the circuitry may be a splitter / combiner unit 308.

[0068] Based on control from the processing unit 310 of the RF controller, signals to or from one or more devices 216, 218 may be manipulated or controlled in the RF controller.

[0069] The RF controller may include an interface 312 connected to the processing unit 310 and configured to send and receive data 226, 244 with an external device. The processing unit 310 may be configured to receive control instructions from an external device and exchange data related to the operation of the RF controller with the external device.

[0070] The processing unit 310 may also include a user interface by which the operation of the RF controller may be controlled.

[0071] The RF controller connects signals from one or more devices 216, 218 or 252, 254 to a set of antenna elements, and vice versa. In the following, signal processing is described in the transmission direction from the device to the antenna. In the opposite direction, the operation of the RF controller is the same as known to those skilled in the art.

[0072] In an embodiment, the RF controller 214 includes one or more circuit systems configured to synchronously adjust the connection between one or more devices and a set of antenna elements and the power, phase, and delay of the signal based on control signals from the processing unit.

[0073] In an embodiment, the signal from the splitter / combiner unit 300A, 300B is carried to the attenuator unit 302A, 302B that controls the signal amplitude. The control can be done using methods known in the art. The signal is taken from the attenuator unit 302A, 302B into a phase / delay unit that is configured to control the phase and delay of the signal. The control can be done using methods known in the art. Next, the signal is taken to the switching unit 306A, 306B. The switching unit can be configured to connect the signal to the desired antenna element via the splitter / combiner 308.

[0074] Connecting the signal to the desired antenna element via the splitter / combiner 308 may be accomplished by a switch, by attenuating unwanted signals, or a combination of both.

[0075] In an embodiment, the units of the RF controller are controlled in a synchronized manner by the processing unit 310. For example, for each device 216, 218 or 252, 254, etc., the operations of changing attenuation and phase / delay and switching units occur exactly at the same time.

[0076] Figure 4 An example of an implementation of the control device 224 is illustrated. The figures illustrate simplified examples of devices to which some embodiments of the invention may be applied.

[0077] It should be understood that the device is described herein as an example illustrating some embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the device may also include other functions and / or structures, and all described functions and structures are not required. Although the device has been described as one entity, different modules and memories may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities. For example, the device may be implemented using cloud computing or distributed computing with multiple physical entities located in different locations but connected to each other.

[0078] The apparatus of this example includes control circuitry 400 configured to control at least part of the operation of the apparatus.

[0079] The apparatus may include a memory 402 for storing data. Furthermore, the memory may store software or applications 400 executable by the control circuitry 404. The memory may be integrated in the control circuitry.

[0080] The apparatus may include circuitry 406 to communicate with an RF controller unit 214 that controls connections between one or more devices 216, 218 or 252, 254 and a set of antenna elements 208. The apparatus may send control commands to the RF controller and receive data.

[0081] The apparatus may include circuitry 408 to communicate with a device under test DUT 204, 250 configured to send or receive one or more signals to the set of antenna elements. The apparatus may send control commands to the DUT and receive data.

[0082] The device may include a circuit system 410 for obtaining a three-dimensional model of a given environment. The circuit system may be in communication with the device 200.

[0083] The device may include circuitry 412 for obtaining ray tracing results for a given environment. The circuitry may be in communication with the device 202 .

[0084] The apparatus may include circuitry 414 for communicating with devices 216, 218 or 252, 254. The apparatus may send control commands to the devices and receive data.

[0085] The apparatus may include circuitry 416 to send and receive data to and from an external network such as the Internet.

[0086] The device may include circuitry 418 to connect the device to a set of virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) glasses 242 worn by a user. As an alternative or in addition to glasses 242, a display may be used.

[0087] All circuit systems 406 to 418 may be communication units utilizing wireless or wired communication. For example, the circuit system may be a cellular, Or a wireless LAN transceiver, or an interface to a wired communication network. Circuit systems 406 to 418 may be operably connected to control circuit system 400 .

[0088] The device may include a user interface 420, for example, to enable a user to access the device, receive commands and display data.

[0089] Figure 5 The flowchart of FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the operation of the control device 224. The example is based on Figure 2A The example arrangement is described in the example, but it is also possible to combine Figure 2B The example arrangements in can be applied, as known to those skilled in the art.

[0090] In step 500, the device is configured to obtain a three-dimensional model of a given environment. The model may be obtained, for example, from the device 200. Any known data format may be used to transmit information from the device 200. The model received from the device 200 may be modified by a user using the user interface of the device 224.

[0091] In step 502, the device is configured to obtain a ray tracing calculation describing the propagation of a radio frequency signal in a given environment. The calculation may be obtained, for example, from the device 202. Any known data format may be used to transmit information from the device 202.

[0092] In step 504, the apparatus is configured to locate one or more devices in a given environment. The locations of the devices may be received from a user interface, a data file, they may be random, or a combination of these or the locations may be obtained by some other means.

[0093] In step 506, the apparatus is configured to determine radio frequency signal properties of one or more devices in communication with the device under test using ray tracing calculations. In an embodiment, the ray tracing calculations may be those received in step 502, or they may be calculated separately.

[0094] In step 508, the device is configured to send control information to the radio frequency RF controller unit 214. The RF controller unit can perform control of signals to and from one or more devices based on the control information. Therefore, one or more devices connected to the RF controller experience the same RF properties as if they were in a given environment handled by the device 224.

[0095] In step 510, the apparatus is configured to obtain information about the location of one or more devices. One or more devices or a portion thereof may move on a predetermined path stored in a data file or obtained from a user interface or otherwise. The movement of different devices may be obtained using different methods. Some of the devices may be static, some may be computer controlled, and some may be controlled by a user using a user interface of the apparatus 224 or some user interface device connected to the apparatus 224.

[0096] In an embodiment, dynamic changes in the propagation environment of one or more devices and the device being tested may also be taken into account. For example, the propagation environment may change due to changes in weather (e.g., sunshine, rain, sleet), or trees may fall, or buildings may be built or altered, or large vehicles may block the line of sight.

[0097] In step 512, the apparatus is configured to update the radio frequency signal properties of one or more devices if the location and / or propagation environment changes. If the device is moved to another location, the RF properties of the signals sent and / or received by the device may change. The apparatus may update the properties based on the data received in step 502, or the apparatus may control the execution of ray tracing calculations based on the updated location of the one or more devices to obtain updated radio frequency signal properties. The updated properties will be sent to the RF controller.

[0098] Steps 510 and 512 may be performed in a loop as long as the test is performed.

[0099] In an embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to update the radio frequency signal properties of one or more devices at given time intervals. Likewise, the apparatus may be configured to send control information to the radio frequency controller unit at given time intervals.

[0100] In an embodiment, the device may be configured to control the display of a three-dimensional model of a given environment and indicate one or more devices in the given environment. A display connected to the device 224 may be used for this purpose, or one or more virtual reality or augmented reality glasses may also be used. For example, the display or glasses may also be viewed via the Internet.

[0101] In an embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to control a graphical display of propagation paths of radio frequency signals transmitted or received by one or more devices in a given environment.

[0102] In an embodiment, the simulation can be paused and the user can examine the properties of the visualized RF signal sent or received by one or more devices directly using the user interface of the device or via the Internet. For example, the user can select a given visualized signal beam of a device, examine the properties and manually tune the tunable parameters of the signal. The device is configured to send changes to the parameters to the device and the device under test. The paused test can be reinitialized and the effect of the changes monitored.

[0103] In an embodiment, a user may access and change properties of the device under test 204 directly using the user interface of the apparatus or via the Internet.

[0104] In an embodiment, all test sequences or runs may be stored and rerun at a later time.

[0105] Figure 6 The flowchart of 214 illustrates an example of an embodiment. The flowchart illustrates an example of the operation of the RF controller device 214 in relation to the control device 224.

[0106] In step 600, the RF controller device 214 is configured to provide a connection between one or more devices and a set of antenna elements. Thus, when the device under test transmits a signal to a set of antenna elements, the one or more devices can receive the signal via the RF controller device. The same applies to other transmission directions.

[0107] In step 602, the RF controller device is configured to receive commands to synchronously adjust the switching and radio frequency properties of signals between one or more devices and a set of antenna elements. Thus, the RF controller device can receive instructions on how to control the properties and connections of signals between one or more devices and a set of antenna elements.

[0108] In step 604, the RF controller arrangement is configured to switch each of the one or more devices to a given number of antenna elements in a set of antenna elements and adjust the amplitude, phase and delay of the signal based on the received command.

[0109] In an embodiment, the RF controller device 214 may be configured to exchange data related to the operation of the device with an external device.

[0110] In an embodiment, the RF controller means 214 may be configured to synchronously send information about the properties and connections of signals between one or more user terminals or measurement devices and one or more antenna elements during a given time period. Thus, the control means 224 may receive the data and visually display the data, for example.

[0111] In an embodiment, the RF controller device 214 may be configured to receive commands from a user interface. This allows a user to manually control the operation of the RF controller and to perform and run a test sequence.

[0112] Figure 7An embodiment is illustrated. The accompanying drawings illustrate a simplified example of a test scenario. In this example, a 3D model of an urban environment 700 has been created, and ray tracing calculations are performed based on the 3D model. The control device 224 has loaded the model and calculations. The device 204 (e.g., a base station or access point) being tested is placed in the environment. A non-mobile user device 702 is placed in the environment so that it has a line of sight to the base station or access point. A user equipped with VR glasses 242 or a display is connected 240 to the device 224 and sees the 3D model and the user device. The device 224 controls the RF controller 214 to connect the user device 700 and the base station or access point 204. Since there is a line of sight between the communication devices, the base station or access point may only need one beam 704 for communication and can be directed to the user device. In this example, the device is located in the lower left corner of the environment, and the beam is directed to the antenna element in the lower left corner of the wall structure 210. Based on the ray tracing calculation, the device 224 controls the RF controller 214 to set appropriate amplitude, phase and delay parameters. A user with VR glasses or display 242 can monitor the connection properties.

[0113] Figure 8 The accompanying drawings illustrate a simplified example of another test scenario. Figure 7 The scenario is similar to that of , but in this example, the user device 702 moves in a given direction 800 in a given environment 700. A user equipped with VR glasses 242 or a display 242 is connected 240 to the device 224 and sees the 3D model and the user device moving. The device 224 controls the RF controller 214 to connect the user device 702 and the base station or access point 204. The antenna element to which the user device 702 is connected is switched according to the movement, so that the beam sent by the base station or access point 802 also moves to the same direction. The user with the VR glasses or display can monitor the connection properties.

[0114] Fig. 9 The accompanying drawings illustrate a simplified example of another test scenario. Figure 7 The scenario is similar to that of , but in this example, the non-mobile user device 702 is located in an environment 700 in a non-line-of-sight location. The device used may be far away from the base station or access point and located behind a building. In this case, since there is no direct line of sight, the user device and the base station or access point can communicate only using one or more beams 900 reflected from the surface surrounding the user device. Therefore, the device 224 controls the RF controller 214 to connect the user device 702 and the base station or access point 204 via one or more antenna elements of the wall structure, and controls the RF controller 214 to set appropriate amplitude, phase and delay parameters of the reflected beam based on ray tracing calculations. A user with VR glasses or a display can monitor the connection properties.

[0115] In a real test simulation, the number of user devices can be any combination of one user device up to thousands of computer-controlled or user-controlled fixed or mobile user devices. Each user device can have its own connection to a base station or access point via a set of antenna elements controlled by the RF controller 214 based on instructions from the device 224.

[0116] There is no absolute chronological order for the steps and related functions described above and in the accompanying drawings, and some steps may be performed simultaneously or in an order different from the given order. Other functions may also be performed between steps or within steps. Some steps may also be ignored or replaced with corresponding steps.

[0117] The device or controller capable of performing the above steps can be implemented as an electronic digital computer or circuit system, which may include a working memory (RAM), a central processing unit (CPU) and a system clock. The CPU may include a set of registers, an arithmetic logic unit and a controller. The controller or circuit system is controlled by a series of program instructions transferred from the RAM to the CPU. The controller may contain many microinstructions for basic operations. The implementation of the microinstructions may vary depending on the CPU design. The computer program may be encoded by a programming language, which may be a high-level programming language (such as C, Java, etc.) or a low-level programming language (such as a machine language or an assembler). The electronic digital computer may also have an operating system, which may provide system services to computer programs written in program instructions.

[0118] As used in this application, the term 'circuitry' refers to all of the following: (a) hardware circuit implementations only, such as implementations in analog and / or digital circuit systems only, and (b) combinations of circuitry and software (and / or firmware), such as (where applicable): (i) a combination of (multiple) processors, or (ii) a portion of (multiple) processors / software, including (multiple) digital signal processors, software, and (multiple) memories that work together to enable the device to perform various functions, and (c) circuitry that requires software or firmware to operate even if the software or firmware is not physically present, such as (multiple) microprocessors or portions of (multiple) microprocessors.

[0119] This definition of 'circuitry' applies to all uses of the term in this application. As yet another example, as used in this application, the term 'circuitry' would also cover implementations of only a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, and if applicable to the particular element, the term 'circuitry' would also cover a baseband integrated circuit or an application processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or another network device.

[0120] The embodiment provides a computer program implemented on a distribution medium including program instructions. When the program instructions are loaded into an electronic device, the program instructions are configured to control the device to execute the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0121] A computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some carrier (which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program). Such carriers include, for example, recording media, computer memory, read-only memory, and software distribution packages. Depending on the processing power required, a computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer, or it may be distributed among multiple computers.

[0122] The device may also be implemented as one or more integrated circuits, such as an application specific integrated circuit ASIC. Other hardware embodiments are also possible, such as circuits constructed from separate logic components. Mixtures of these different implementations are also possible. For example, when selecting an implementation method, one skilled in the art will consider the requirements set for the size and power consumption of the device, the necessary processing capacity, production cost, and production volume.

[0123] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways.The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A device for communication, comprising: a processing unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to exchange data with at least one external device, including receiving control instructions from the at least one external device and sending data to the at least one external device; connecting one or more devices to the circuit system of the apparatus; circuitry for connecting the device to a set of antenna elements; circuitry to connect the one or more devices to a set of antenna elements; one or more circuit systems configured to synchronously adjust the power, phase and delay of the connection and signals between the one or more devices and the set of antenna elements based on control signals from the processing unit, wherein the processing unit is further configured to synchronously send information about properties of the connection and signals between one or more user terminals or measurement devices and one or more antenna elements during a given time period; as well as An interface is connected to the processing unit and is configured to transmit and receive data with the at least one external device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data is configured to be used to at least partially control the operation of the apparatus. 3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured to receive instructions on how to control properties of connections and signals between the one or more devices and the set of antenna elements. 4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a user interface, and the processing unit is configured to receive instructions from the user interface.

5. A device for communication, comprising: means for processing, wherein the means for processing comprises means for exchanging data with at least one external device, the exchanging data comprising receiving control instructions from the at least one external device and sending data to the at least one external device; means for connecting one or more devices to the apparatus; means for connecting the device to a set of antenna elements; means for connecting the one or more devices to a set of antenna elements; means for transmitting and receiving data with said at least one external device; as well as Means for synchronously adjusting the power, phase and delay of the connection and signals between the one or more devices and the set of antenna elements based on control signals from the means for processing, wherein the means for processing also includes means for synchronously sending information about the properties of the connection and signals between one or more user terminals or measurement devices and one or more antenna elements during a given time period.

6. A method in an apparatus, comprising: providing a connection between one or more devices and a set of antenna elements; receiving commands to synchronously adjust switching and radio frequency properties of signals between the one or more devices and the set of antenna elements; exchanging data with at least one external device, including receiving control instructions from the at least one external device and sending data to the at least one external device; switching each of the one or more devices to a given number of antenna elements in the set of antenna elements and adjusting an amplitude, a phase, and a delay of the signal based on the received command; as well as Information about properties of the connection and signals between one or more user terminals or measuring devices and one or more antenna elements is transmitted synchronously during a given time period.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the data is configured to be used to at least partially control the operation of the device.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: Instructions are received regarding how to control properties of the connection and signals between the one or more devices and the set of antenna elements.

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