Method and test system for measuring total radiated power

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for measuring the total radiated power of a device under test (12) by a test system (10). The test system (10) has a measuring antenna (20), a positioning system (16) and a control and / or measuring equipment (18), wherein the device under test (12) is positioned on the positioning system (16). The method comprises the following steps: moving the device under test by the positioning system (16) relative to an azimuth axis and an elevation axis, transmitting a time-dependent signal by the device under test (12), and recording a correlation between a corresponding spherical position of the control and / or measuring equipment (18) and the positioning system (16). In addition, the invention relates to a test system (10) for measuring the total radiated power of a device under test (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for measuring the total radiated power of a device under test using a testing system. Furthermore, this invention relates to a testing system for measuring the total radiated power of a device under test. Background Technology

[0002] Modern communication equipment is tested for its total radiated power using a test system configured to position the device under test (DUT) at different measurement points associated with spherical locations. The DUT is then moved to the corresponding measurement point, where a specific measurement is performed. Subsequently, the DUT is moved to another measurement point, another spherical location, where another measurement is performed. Thus, several angular locations of the DUT, i.e., several spherical locations, are directly measured. Furthermore, software is used to interpolate the values ​​at each measurement point to collect the total radiated power.

[0003] However, the methods known in the prior art result in less accurate and less repeatable measurements, which is undesirable.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a method and testing system that ensures accurate and repeatable measurements of the device under test. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a method for measuring the total radiated power of a device under test (DUT) using a testing system. The testing system includes a measuring antenna, a positioning system, and control and / or measuring equipment. The DUT is positioned on the positioning system. The method includes the following steps:

[0006] -Move the device under test relative to the azimuth and elevation axes using a positioning system.

[0007] - Transmit time-related signals through the device under test, and

[0008] - Record the correlation between the corresponding spherical position of the control and / or measuring equipment and the positioning system.

[0009] Additionally, this invention provides a test system for measuring the total radiated power of a device under test (DUT). The test system includes control and / or measurement equipment, a measurement antenna, and a positioning system for supporting the DUT. The positioning system is configured to move the DUT relative to an azimuth axis and an elevation axis. The DUT is configured to transmit time-correlated signals. The test system is configured to record the correlation between the corresponding spherical positions of the control and / or measurement equipment and the positioning system.

[0010] This invention is based on the discovery that various angular positions, i.e., spherical positions, can be reached with high precision. Furthermore, the correlation between the taken positions and the control and / or measuring equipment (i.e., the acquired measurement data) ensures that each spherical position is reached in a repeatable manner. Therefore, for various applications, the total radiated power measurement of the device under test can be performed extremely quickly. Additionally, the angular error is very low because no software control is required, such as effectively achieving interpolation between different measurement points.

[0011] Generally speaking, this method and the testing system ensure that the positioning error between the actual position of the device under test and the measurement data is reduced.

[0012] The device under test may involve user equipment, such as mobile phones, base stations, or any other wireless communication device to be tested by the test system.

[0013] For example, a link antenna can be provided for testing a mobile phone in terms of its total radiated power. Therefore, a corresponding signaling link is established between the device under test and the optional link antenna to maintain the signaling link.

[0014] On the one hand, correlation is obtained through the exchanged signals. The positioning system and the control and / or measuring equipment can communicate with each other to ensure correlation. Therefore, the corresponding correlation is not achieved through post-processing that correlates subsequently recorded data. The exchange of signals between the control and / or measuring equipment and the positioning system ensures real-time correlation, thereby enabling instantaneous high-speed measurement and correlated measurement results. In other words, active communication between the control and / or measuring equipment and the positioning system ensures real-time synchronization.

[0015] On the other hand, it provides real-time recording of correlations. This ensures that the positioning system is moved at high speed, especially at the maximum possible speed, and thus the device under test positioned on it is moved. Therefore, the total measurement time required can be appropriately reduced, since it is unnecessary for the positioning system to stop or decelerate when reaching the corresponding spherical position.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the control and / or measuring equipment transmits a request signal to the positioning system to cause the positioning system to return its precise spherical position. Therefore, the control and / or measuring equipment requests the positioning system to identify its corresponding precise spherical position. In other words, the control and / or measuring equipment requests the positioning system to provide its precise spherical position. The request signal can be sent in real time.

[0017] Additionally, a request signal can be sent whenever the device under test (DUT) transmits a corresponding time-related signal. Therefore, the control and / or measuring equipment communicates simultaneously with the DUT and the positioning system. In fact, the DUT transmits time-related signals to the control and / or measuring equipment via its measuring antenna, while the control and / or measuring equipment transmits request signals to the positioning system.

[0018] Control and / or measuring equipment can determine when a time-correlated signal will be transmitted through the device under test (DUT). Therefore, the control and / or measuring equipment sends a request signal in a timely manner (i.e., when the DUT outputs a time-correlated signal). In other words, because the control and / or measuring equipment requests the precise spherical position of the positioning system when the DUT sends a time-correlated signal (i.e., at the corresponding measurement location), synchronous communication can be provided. Therefore, high resolution can be achieved.

[0019] On the other hand, the positioning system receives and processes request signals. The positioning system may have an internal processing unit that is capable of processing the received request signals.

[0020] The positioning system can wait for a request signal and store information about its precise spherical position. The positioning system can have an internal buffer or storage medium for storing the precise spherical position. This allows the positioning system to directly transmit information about its precise spherical position.

[0021] The positioning system can send a return signal indicating its precise spherical position to the control and / or measuring equipment. Therefore, the positioning system is configured to transmit signals to the control and / or measuring equipment to establish a two-way communication link. Consequently, relevant information and control signals can be exchanged between the control and / or measuring equipment and the positioning system that moves the measured device along the sphere. As mentioned above, this enables the positioning system to process signals received from the control and / or measuring equipment in order to forward its precise spherical position to the control and / or measuring equipment.

[0022] In other words, the positioning system returns its current accurate position in real time. The control and / or measuring equipment receives a corresponding return signal from the positioning system, wherein the received information (i.e., the precise spherical position of the positioning system) is processed to associate the control and / or measuring equipment (i.e., measurement data) with the precise spherical position of the positioning system.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the positioning system sends a trigger signal to the control and / or measuring equipment. The trigger signal is appropriately processed internally by the control and / or measuring equipment.

[0024] Specifically, a trigger signal indicates that the positioning system will reach a certain spherical position. Therefore, the control and / or measuring equipment is promptly informed of the upcoming measurement location.

[0025] Specifically, the control and / or measuring equipment receives and processes trigger signals to prepare them for an upcoming measurement. This measurement corresponds to receiving a time-related signal from the device under test. In other words, the control and / or measuring equipment prepares for the corresponding measurement.

[0026] The control and / or measuring equipment can transmit a request signal in response to a trigger signal received from the positioning system. Thus, the trigger signal instructs the control and / or measuring equipment to prepare itself for an upcoming measurement, while simultaneously triggering the control and / or measuring equipment to issue a request signal to obtain the precise spherical position of the positioning system.

[0027] On the other hand, it allows for continuous movement of the positioning system during the measurement of the total radiated power of the device under test. Because the positioning system continuously moves the device under test, the required measurement time can be reduced.

[0028] In particular, the positioning system moves continuously at each measurement point without stopping, and specifically, it does not decelerate at any measurement point. Therefore, measurement time can be optimized.

[0029] For example, the device under test (DUT) is moved continuously along the azimuth axis. Alternatively or additionally, the DUT is moved continuously or in steps along the elevation axis. The DUT is moved continuously along at least one of the axes such that it moves continuously during the measurement of total radiated power.

[0030] On the other hand, the device under test (DUT) is assigned specific time frames that it is permitted to transmit, thereby generating time-dependent signals. When transmitting its individual signals, the corresponding time frames are not used entirely by the DUT. For example, time-dependent signals can involve pulse continuous wave signals, 5G signals, particularly 5G-NR-FR2 signals, and 4G-LTE signals, such as 4G-LTE time division duplex (TDD) signals. The portion of the time frame used to transmit the corresponding signal can vary.

[0031] Furthermore, the spherical position of the device under test (DUT) can be derived from the spherical position of the positioning system. In fact, the positioning system has a specific location where the DUT will be mounted for testing purposes. Therefore, the corresponding spherical position of the DUT can be determined based on the precise spherical position transmitted from the positioning system.

[0032] Generally, the test system is configured to perform the method for measuring the total radiated power of the device under test as discussed above.

[0033] Typically, the features mentioned above are also applied to testing systems in a similar manner.

[0034] Therefore, extremely fast spherical data acquisition is ensured.

[0035] Control and / or measuring equipment may have freely configurable and / or signal-dependent request triggers (request signals). These request signals can be fed to a processing unit within the positioning system, which caches (temporarily stores) the true position of the positioning system, i.e., the precise spherical position. The duration of the request signal (i.e., the request trigger) is less than 2 μs, which is sufficient for any time-correlated signal.

[0036] The positioning system can reach a maximum speed of 72 degrees per second, resulting in a phi rotation of 5 seconds. Assuming a signal repeatability of 10 ms (5G-NR), this would result in approximately 500 measurements, or an angular resolution of 0.72°. This is ideal for devices under test (DUTs) with highly directional antennas, such as mobile phones.

[0037] When measuring two polarizations simultaneously, the total measurement time can be reduced to 13 minutes using the step-continuous method. The maximum expected angular error is 0.00072°. Attached Figure Description

[0038] The foregoing aspects and numerous accompanying advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the test system according to the present invention is shown, and

[0040] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a method for measuring the total radiated power of a device under test according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The detailed description set forth below with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiment, in which the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided by way of example or illustration only and should not be construed as preferred or superior to other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed.

[0042] For the purposes of this disclosure, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" means, for example, (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), and includes all other possible permutations when more than three elements are listed. In other words, the term "at least one of A and B" generally refers to "A and / or B," i.e., "A only," "B only," or "A and B."

[0043] In this context and below, the terms “unit” and “equipment” are understood to describe suitable hardware, suitable software, or a combination of hardware and software configured to perform a specific function.

[0044] Hardware may include, in particular, CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, ASICs, or other types of electronic circuits.

[0045] Figure 1 A test system 10 for measuring the total radiated power of the device under test 12 is shown.

[0046] The test system 10 includes an anechoic chamber 14, in which the device under test 12 is placed.

[0047] In fact, the device under test 12 is mounted on a positioning system 16, which is also located inside the anechoic chamber 14. The positioning system 16 is a three-dimensional positioning system, which allows the device under test 12 to move along the sphere to perform different measurements.

[0048] Generally, the positioning system 16 is able to move the device under test 12 along the azimuth axis and along the elevation axis in a continuous manner. However, the positioning system 16 can also move the device under test 12 along the azimuth axis in a continuous manner, but along the elevation axis in a stepwise manner.

[0049] Furthermore, the test system 10 includes control and / or measurement equipment 18 connected to the measurement antenna 20, which is also assigned to the anechoic chamber 14, i.e., assigned to its interior.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the test system 10 further includes a reflector 22 located in an anechoic chamber 14. The reflector 22 is assigned to the measurement antenna 20 and the device under test 12, enabling far-field conditions to be achieved within the anechoic chamber 14.

[0051] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the control and / or measurement equipment 18 includes a signal generator 24, an analyzer 26, and a trigger engine 28 for communicating with the positioning system 16.

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown, the trigger engine 28 has an input line 30 and an output line 32 assigned to the anechoic chamber 14. Therefore, the trigger engine 28 can issue a trigger via the output line 32 or receive a trigger via the input line 30.

[0053] Furthermore, the trigger engine 28 is connected to the analyzer 26 (e.g., a spectrum analyzer) via its input line 30. Therefore, the trigger signal received through the input line 30 is also forwarded to the analyzer 26.

[0054] In addition, the trigger engine 28 is connected to the signal generator 24 via its output line 32.

[0055] The signal generator 24 and the analyzer 26 can be connected to the measurement antenna 20, so that radio frequency signals can be transmitted or received through the measurement antenna 20.

[0056] Furthermore, a connection was established between the radio frequency signal processing unit 34 and the trigger engine 28.

[0057] In any case, the control and / or measuring equipment 18 can know when the device under test 12 transmits time-related signals, as this is handled by the various components discussed above, causing the information to be forwarded to the trigger engine 28 (if necessary), which will be referenced below. Figure 2 discuss.

[0058] In the first step S1, the device under test 12 moves along the azimuth and elevation axes via the positioning system 16 to reach another measurement position. At this other measurement position, the device under test 12 outputs a time-correlated signal to be received by the measuring antenna 20 in order to collect measurement data. In fact, the measuring antenna 20 forwards the received signal to the control and / or measuring equipment 18 (e.g., analyzer 26) for further processing.

[0059] In the second step S2, the device under test 12 outputs a time correlation signal at the corresponding measurement position, wherein the time correlation signal is received and processed by the control and / or measurement equipment 18 to collect measurement data.

[0060] In the third step S3, the control and / or measuring equipment 18 transmits a request signal to the positioning system 16 to return its precise spherical position. The request signal may involve a request trigger. Specifically, the request signal is sent by the triggering engine 28. In fact, the request signal is sent whenever a corresponding time-related signal is transmitted by the device under test 12. This information is known to the control and / or measuring equipment 18, particularly because the signal processing unit 34 has a communication link to the triggering engine 28. The request signal is very short in time, allowing it to be sent during the transmission of the time-related signal. In other words, the request signal can be sent in real time.

[0061] In the fourth step S4, the positioning system 16 receives and processes the request signal. In fact, the positioning system 16 waits for the request signal and stores information about its precise spherical position, specifically buffering this information. This enables the positioning system 16 to immediately output information about its precise spherical position.

[0062] In the fifth step S5, the positioning system 16 sends a response signal to the control and / or measuring equipment 18 indicating its precise spherical position. This information is processed by the control and / or measuring equipment 18, particularly the trigger engine 28, to record the correlation between the positioning system 16 and the control and / or measuring equipment 18. In effect, the correlation between the precise spherical position of the positioning system 16 and the measurement data is recorded. In fact, the response signal can also be sent in real time.

[0063] Therefore, information about the precise spherical position of the positioning system 16 is collected in real time.

[0064] Since the device under test 12 is located at a predetermined position on the positioning system 16, the spherical position of the device under test 12 can be derived from the position received by the positioning system 16.

[0065] In a particular embodiment, the positioning system 16 may initially send a trigger signal to the control and / or measuring equipment 18, particularly to the trigger engine 28. The trigger signal may indicate that the positioning system 16 will reach a certain spherical position. Thus, the control and / or measuring equipment 18, which receives and processes the trigger signal, can prepare it for an upcoming measurement.

[0066] Then, the control and / or measuring equipment 18 transmits a request signal in response to a trigger signal received from the positioning system 16.

[0067] Alternatively, the control and / or measuring equipment 18 knows when a time-related signal will be transmitted through the device under test 12.

[0068] Typically, communication between the control and / or measuring equipment 18 and the positioning system 16 is performed in real time. This ensures that the positioning system 16 can move continuously during the measurement of the total radiated power of the device under test 12, i.e., without stopping at any measurement point, and in particular without decelerating at any measurement point.

[0069] Therefore, accurate and repeatable measurements of the device under test 12 can be performed.

[0070] Certain embodiments disclosed herein (particularly corresponding modules) utilize circuit systems (e.g., one or more circuits) to implement the standards, protocols, methods, or techniques disclosed herein, to operatively couple two or more components, to generate information, process information, analyze information, generate signals, encode / decode signals, convert signals, transmit and / or receive signals, control other devices, etc. Any type of circuit system can be used.

[0071] In embodiments, the circuit system specifically includes one or more computing devices, such as processors (e.g., microprocessors), central processing units (CPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), systems-on-a-chip (SoCs), and any combination thereof, and may include discrete digital or analog circuit elements or electronic devices, or combinations thereof. In embodiments, the circuit system includes hardware circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuit systems, implementations in digital circuit systems, and combinations thereof).

[0072] In embodiments, the circuit system includes a combination of circuitry and computer program products having software or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media that work together to cause a device to perform one or more protocols, methods, or techniques described herein. In embodiments, the circuit system includes circuitry that requires software, firmware, etc., for operation, such as a microprocessor or a portion thereof. In embodiments, the circuit system includes one or more processors or portions thereof, along with accompanying software, firmware, hardware, etc.

[0073] This application may refer to quantities and numbers. Unless otherwise stated, these quantities and numbers should not be considered limiting, but rather examples of possible quantities or numbers relevant to this application. Similarly, in this regard, the application may use the term "multiple" to refer to a quantity or number. In this context, the term "multiple" means any number more than one, such as two, three, four, five, etc. The terms "approximately," "approximately," "close to," etc., refer to plus or minus 5% of the specified value.

Claims

1. A method for measuring the total radiated power of a device under test (12) using a test system (10), wherein the test system (10) has a measuring antenna (20), a positioning system (16), and control and / or measuring equipment (18), wherein the device under test (12) is positioned on the positioning system (16), and wherein the method comprises the following steps: -The measured device (12) is moved relative to the azimuth and elevation axes by the positioning system (16). - Transmit time-related signals through the device under test (12), and - Record the correlation between the corresponding spherical positions of the control and / or measuring equipment (18) and the positioning system (16), wherein The device under test (12) is assigned a specific time frame that it is allowed to send, thereby generating the time-related signal, and The positioning system (16) sends a trigger signal to the control and / or measuring equipment (18) so that the control and / or measuring equipment (18) is aware of the upcoming measurement location in a timely manner. The control and / or measuring equipment (18) receives and processes the trigger signal to prepare it for the upcoming measurement, which corresponds to receiving a time-related signal from the device under test (12).

2. A method for measuring the total radiated power of a device under test (12) using a test system (10), wherein the test system (10) has a measuring antenna (20), a positioning system (16), and control and / or measuring equipment (18), wherein the device under test (12) is positioned on the positioning system (16), and wherein the method comprises the following steps: -The measured device (12) is moved relative to the azimuth and elevation axes by the positioning system (16). - Transmit time-related signals through the device under test (12), and - Record the correlation between the corresponding spherical positions of the control and / or measuring equipment (18) and the positioning system (16), wherein The device under test (12) is assigned a specific time frame that it is allowed to send, thereby generating the time-related signal, and When the device under test (12) outputs a time-related signal, the control and / or measuring equipment (18) transmits a request signal to the positioning system (16) to return its precise spherical position, wherein the positioning system (16) receives and processes the request signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the correlation is obtained through the exchanged signals.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the correlation is recorded in real time.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the positioning system (16) sends a response signal to the control and / or measuring equipment (18) indicating its precise spherical position.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the trigger signal indicates that the positioning system (16) will reach a certain spherical position.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the control and / or measuring equipment (18) transmits the request signal in response to a trigger signal received from the positioning system (16).

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The positioning system (16) moves continuously during the measurement of the total radiated power of the device under test (12).

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The device under test (12) moves continuously along the azimuth axis, and / or the device under test (12) moves continuously along the elevation axis or moves in a step manner.

10. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The spherical position of the device under test (12) is derived from the spherical position of the positioning system (16).

11. A test system for measuring the total radiated power of a device under test (12), wherein the test system (10) includes a control and / or measurement apparatus (18), a measurement antenna (20), and a positioning system (16) for supporting the device under test (12), wherein the positioning system (16) is configured to move the device under test (12) relative to an azimuth axis and an elevation axis, wherein the device under test (12) is configured to transmit time-related signals, and wherein the test system (10) is configured to record the corresponding spherical positions of the control and / or measurement apparatus (18) and the positioning system (16). The correlation between locations, wherein the device under test (12) is assigned a specific time frame that the device under test (12) is allowed to send, thereby generating the time-related signal, and wherein the positioning system (16) is configured to send a trigger signal to the control and / or measuring equipment (18) so that the control and / or measuring equipment (18) is aware of the upcoming measurement location in a timely manner, wherein the control and / or measuring equipment (18) is configured to receive and process the trigger signal in order to prepare it for the upcoming measurement, which corresponds to receiving the time-related signal from the device under test (12).

12. A test system for measuring the total radiated power of a device under test (12), wherein the test system (10) includes a control and / or measurement apparatus (18), a measurement antenna (20), and a positioning system (16) for supporting the device under test (12), wherein the positioning system (16) is configured to move the device under test (12) relative to an azimuth axis and an elevation axis, wherein the device under test (12) is configured to transmit a time-related signal, and wherein the test system (10) is configured to record the correlation between the control and / or measurement apparatus (18) and the corresponding spherical position of the positioning system (16), wherein the device under test (12) is assigned a specific time frame that the device under test (12) is allowed to transmit, thereby generating the time-related signal, and wherein when the device under test (12) outputs the time-related signal, the control and / or measurement apparatus (18) is configured to transmit a request signal to the positioning system (16) to return its precise spherical position, wherein the positioning system (16) receives and processes the request signal.

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