Method for measuring signal strength of multi-antenna product

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for measuring the signal strength of a multi-antenna product, and relates to the field of communication, the method for measuring the signal strength of the multi-antenna product comprises the following steps: step 1, a combiner PS in a test environment is changed into a switching unit SW, and the number of channels of the switching unit SW is greater than or equal to the number of antennas of a to-be-tested product DUT; each antenna coupling plate ACB is regarded as a receiving point R, and an antenna ANT of each product is regarded as a transmitting point T; compared with the prior art, the signal intensity of each antenna of a DUT (Device Under Test) of a product to be tested can be calculated only by issuing a command transmitted by all antennas once, so that whether all antenna radio frequency lines of the product are qualified or not is judged, and if not, the signal intensity of each antenna of the DUT of the product to be tested can be calculated. According to the method, which antenna radio frequency line is unqualified can be judged, and if the number of the antennas is n, the time for transmitting signals for (n-1) times is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a method for measuring the signal strength of a multi-antenna product. Background Art

[0002] The current demand for wireless products is surging, such as wireless routers, converged gateways, and other products with wireless communications. For the production of these products, safe, efficient, low-cost, and high-utilization testing solutions and equipment are urgently needed. Among them, coupling testing is a test method for testing whether the signal line of wireless products is abnormal after they are assembled into finished products. It is usually used to test whether the antenna has leaking soldering, cold soldering, or is not fastened properly, or the antenna specifications are used incorrectly.

[0003] Traditional coupling test of multi-antenna products (testing whether the RF circuit of the product antenna is good or not, i.e. Figure 1 The existing technical solution is to use a combiner (PS) to combine all antennas of the product under test (such as Figure 1 , taking two antennas as an example, there can actually be n antennas, the principle is the same), and then issue a transmit command to each antenna unit, read its signal strength, and follow the process (such as Figure 2 ) are executed in sequence. If n antennas of a product to be tested transmit signals together, the traditional technical solution cannot analyze the signal strength of each antenna itself, and it is also impossible to determine the quality of the RF circuits of each antenna.

[0004] For multi-antenna products such as (WiFi routers), the current coupling test solution requires issuing control commands to each antenna of the product. The process of testing whether an antenna is qualified mainly spends time on transmitting signals. The coupling tester reads the power very quickly. Therefore, the existing technical solution can only control the antenna multiple times and cannot analyze the signal strength of each antenna when all antennas are transmitting together. This wastes production test time, which affects the production test cost of the product and needs to be improved. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for measuring the signal strength of a multi-antenna product to solve the problems raised in the above background technology.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] A method for measuring the signal strength of a multi-antenna product comprises the following steps:

[0008] Step 1: Change the combiner PS in the test environment to a switching unit SW (as a RF switch). The number of channels of the switching unit SW is greater than or equal to the number of antennas of the product under test DUT. Each antenna coupling board ACB is regarded as a receiving point R, and each product antenna ANT is regarded as a transmitting point T. The nth antenna coupling board unit ACB is the receiving point R. n , the nth antenna ANT is the transmitting point T n ;

[0009] Step 2, measure the distance between a receiving point R and each transmitting point T, and calculate the attenuation of the distance to obtain the attenuation value; obtain the attenuation values ​​of all receiving points R;

[0010] Step 3: After the DUT transmits a fixed-frequency signal, R1, R2, ..., R n The signal strength values ​​P1, P2, ..., P n ;

[0011] Step 4: Based on the signal strength values ​​P1, P2, ..., P n Get T1, T2, ..., T n The signal strength values ​​P1', P2', ..., P n ′.

[0012] As a further solution of the present invention: in step 2, since the positions of the DUT antenna and the antenna coupling board ACB are fixed, R1 is connected to T1, T2, ..., T n The distance D 11 ,D 12 ,...,D 1n , the corresponding attenuation is L 11 , L 12 ,...,L 1n ; R2 goes to T1, T2, ..., T n The distance D 21 ,D 22 ,...,D 2n , the corresponding attenuation is L 21 , L 22 ,...,L 2n ; R n Go to T1, T2, ..., T n The distance D n1 ,D n2 ,...,D nn , the corresponding attenuation is L n1 , L n2 ,...,L nn .

[0013] As a further solution of the present invention: the distance unit between the receiving point R and each transmitting point T is cm.

[0014] As a further solution of the present invention: in step 2, ignoring the influence of air (this influence has no influence on the test results), the loss formula of radio wave propagation in free space is as follows:

[0015] Loss = 32.44 + 20lg D + 20lg F

[0016] Among them, Loss is the attenuation strength of a fixed-frequency signal after passing a certain distance, D represents the distance, and F is the center frequency of the signal. Since all antennas transmit the same fixed-frequency signal (frequency is f MHz), from this formula, it can be obtained:

[0017] The first set of equations:

[0018] L 11 =32.44+20lg(D 11 / 100000)+20lg f

[0019] L 12 =32.44+20lg(D 21 / 100000)+20lg f ...

[0021] L 1n =32.44+20lg(D 1n / 100000)+20lg f

[0022] L 21 =32.44+20lg(D 21 / 100000)+20lg f

[0023] L 22 =32.44+20lg(D 22 / 100000)+20lg f ...

[0025] L 2n =32.44+20lg(D 2n / 100000)+20lg f ...

[0027] L n1 =32.44+20lg(D n1 / 100000)+20lg f

[0028] L n2 =32.44+20lg(D n2 / 100000)+20lg f ...

[0030] L nn =32.44+20lg(D nn / 100000)+20lg f

[0031] From this, we can calculate L 11 , L 12 , ..., L 1n , L 21 , L 22 , ..., L 2n , ..., L n1 , L n2 , ..., L nn .

[0032] As a further solution of the present invention: the unit of D is kilometer (Km), and the unit of F is megahertz (MHz).

[0033] As a further solution of the present invention: in step 3, all antennas of the product under test DUT are controlled to transmit a fixed frequency signal (frequency is f MHz) together, and R1, R2, ..., R n The signal strength values ​​P1, P2, ..., P n .

[0034] As a further solution of the present invention: in step 4, based on the equation, based on the signal strength values ​​P1, P2, ..., P n Get T1, T2, ..., T n The signal strength value P1 ’ , P2 ’ , ..., P n ’ ;

[0035] P1=(P1 ’ -L 11 )+(P2 ’ -L 12 )+...+(P n ’ -L 1n )

[0036] P2=(P1 ’ -L 21 )+(P2 ’ -L 22 )+...+(P n ’ -L 2n ) ...

[0038] P n =(P1 ’ -L n1 )+(P2 ’ -L n2 )+...+(P n ’ -L nn )

[0039] From this, P1 can be calculated ’ , P2 ’ , ..., P n ’ .

[0040] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effect of the present invention is that the present invention only needs to issue a command for all antennas to transmit once, and can calculate the signal strength of each antenna of the product under test DUT, so as to determine whether all antenna RF circuits of the product are qualified. If they are unqualified, it can be determined which antenna RF circuit is unqualified. If the number of antennas is n, the time for transmitting signals n-1 times is saved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing antenna coupling test.

[0042] Figure 2 Flowchart for existing antenna coupling test.

[0043] Figure 3 A diagram of an application environment for a method for measuring signal strength of a multi-antenna product.

[0044] Figure 4 The present invention is a schematic diagram of a modeled application environment diagram of a method for measuring signal strength of a multi-antenna product. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0046] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 , a method for measuring the signal strength of a multi-antenna product, comprising the following steps:

[0047] Step 1: Change the combiner PS in the test environment to a switching unit SW (RF switch). The number of channels of the switching unit SW is greater than or equal to the number of antennas of the product under test DUT. Each antenna coupling board ACB is regarded as a receiving point R, and each product antenna ANT is regarded as a transmitting point T. The nth antenna coupling board unit ACB is the receiving point R. n , the nth antenna ANT is the transmitting point T n ;

[0048] Step 2, measure the distance between a receiving point R and each transmitting point T, and calculate the attenuation of the distance to obtain the attenuation value; obtain the attenuation values ​​of all receiving points R;

[0049] Step 3: After the DUT transmits a fixed-frequency signal, R1, R2, ..., R n The signal strength values ​​P1, P2, ..., P n ;

[0050] Step 4: Based on the signal strength values ​​P1, P2, ..., P n Get T1, T2, ..., T n The signal strength values ​​P1', P2', ..., P n ′.

[0051] In the specific embodiment: see Figure 3 , change the combiner PS in the test environment to a switching unit SW (as a RF switch), the number of channels of the switching unit SW is greater than or equal to the number of antennas of the product under test DUT; then, let all antennas transmit signals together, and then calculate the signal strength of each antenna according to a certain algorithm, so as to determine whether all antenna RF lines are qualified.

[0052] See also Figure 4 To explain the calculation method, Figure 3 For modeling, each antenna coupling plate ACB is regarded as a point R (receiving point), and each product's antenna ANT is regarded as a point T (transmitting point). Specifically, the first antenna ANT is set to point T1, the second antenna ANT is set to point T2, and so on, the nth antenna unit ANT is set to point Tn; the first antenna coupling plate ACB is set to R1, the second antenna coupling plate ACB is set to R2, and so on, the nth antenna coupling plate unit ACB is set to Rn. In this way, Figure 3 After modeling, it is transformed into Figure 4 , Figure 4 The S end is connected to a power meter to test the signal strength value.

[0053] In this example: See Figure 4In step 2, since the positions of the DUT antenna and the antenna coupling board ACB are fixed, R1 is connected to T1, T2, ..., T n The distance D 11 ,D 12 ,...,D 1n , the corresponding attenuation is L 11 , L 12 ,...,L 1n ; R2 goes to T1, T2, ..., T n The distance D 21 ,D 22 ,...,D 2n , the corresponding attenuation is L 21 , L 22 ,...,L 2n ; R n Go to T1, T2, ..., T n The distance D n1 ,D n2 ,...,D nn , the corresponding attenuation is L n1 , L n2 ,...,L nn .

[0054] In this example: See Figure 4 , the distance between the receiving point R and each transmitting point T is in cm.

[0055] In this example: See Figure 4 In step 2, ignoring the influence of air (this influence has no influence on the test results), the loss formula of radio wave propagation in free space is as follows:

[0056] Loss = 32.44 + 20lg D + 20lg F

[0057] Among them, Loss is the attenuation strength of a fixed-frequency signal after passing a certain distance, D represents the distance, and F is the center frequency of the signal. Since all antennas transmit the same fixed-frequency signal (frequency is f MHz), from this formula, it can be obtained:

[0058] The first set of equations:

[0059] L 11 =32.44+20lg(D 11 / 100000)+20lg f

[0060] L 12 =32.44+20lg(D 21 / 100000)+20lg f ...

[0062] L 1n =32.44+20lg(D 1n / 100000)+20lg f

[0063] L 21 =32.44+20lg(D 21 / 100000)+20lg f

[0064] L 22 =32.44+20lg(D 22 / 100000)+20lg f ...

[0066] L 2n =32.44+20lg(D 2n / 100000)+20lg f ...

[0068] L n1 =32.44+20lg(D n1 / 100000)+20lg f

[0069] L n2 =32.44+20lg(D n2 / 100000)+20lg f ...

[0071] L nn =32.44+20lg(D nn / 100000)+20lg f

[0072] From this, we can calculate L 11 , L 12 , ..., L 1n , L 21 , L 22 , ..., L 2n , ..., L n1 , L n2 , ..., L nn .

[0073] In this example: See Figure 4 , the unit of D is kilometer (Km), and the unit of F is megahertz (MHz).

[0074] In this example: See Figure 4 In step 3, all antennas of the product under test DUT are controlled to transmit a fixed frequency signal (frequency is f MHz) together, and R1, R2, ..., R are obtained by controlling the switching unit SW. nThe signal strength values ​​P1, P2, ..., P n .

[0075] In this example: See Figure 4 In step 4, based on the signal strength values ​​P1, P2, ..., P n Get T1, T2, ..., T n The signal strength value P1 ’ , P2 ’ , ..., P n ’ ;

[0076] P1=(P1 ’ -L 11 )+(P2 ’ -L 12 )+...+(P n ’ -L 1n )

[0077] P2=(P1 ’ -L 21 )+(P2 ’ -L 22 )+...+(P n ’ -L 2n ) ...

[0079] P n =(P1 ’ -L n1 )+(P2 ’ -L n2 )+...+(P n ’ -L nn )

[0080] From this, P1 can be calculated ’ , P2 ’ , ..., P n ’ .

[0081] P1 ’ , P2 ’ , ..., P n ’ That is, the signal strength value that needs to be calculated. During the production and testing phase of multi-antenna products, after these signal strengths are calculated using this method, it is determined whether they are within the set signal strength range, and this only needs to be performed once.

[0082] The present invention only needs to issue a command for all antennas to transmit once, and the signal strength of each antenna of the product under test DUT can be calculated, so as to determine whether all antenna radio frequency circuits of the product are qualified. If they are unqualified, it can be determined which antenna radio frequency circuit is unqualified. If the number of antennas is n, the time for transmitting signals n-1 times is saved.

[0083] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered as exemplary and non-restrictive in all respects.

[0084] In addition, it should be understood that although the present specification is described according to implementation modes, not every implementation mode contains only one independent technical solution. This description of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment may also be appropriately combined to form other implementation modes that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A method for measuring the signal strength of a multi-antenna product, characterized in that: The method for measuring the signal strength of the multi-antenna product includes the following steps: Step 1: Change the combiner PS in the test environment to a switching unit SW. The number of channels of the switching unit SW is greater than or equal to the number of antennas of the product under test DUT. Each antenna coupling board ACB is regarded as a receiving point R, and each product antenna ANT is regarded as a transmitting point T. The nth antenna coupling board unit ACB is the receiving point R. n , the nth antenna ANT is the transmitting point T n ; Step 2, measure the distance between a receiving point R and each transmitting point T, and calculate the attenuation of the distance to obtain the attenuation value; obtain the attenuation values ​​of all receiving points R; Step 3: After the DUT transmits a fixed-frequency signal, R1, R2, ..., R n The signal strength values ​​P1, P2, ..., P n ; Step 4: Based on the signal strength values ​​P1, P2, ..., P n Get T1, T2, ..., T n The signal strength values ​​P1', P2', ..., P n '.

2. The method for measuring the signal strength of a multi-antenna product according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step 2, since the positions of the DUT antenna and the antenna coupling board ACB are fixed, R1 is connected to T1, T2, ..., T n The distance D 11 ,D 12 ,...,D 1n , the corresponding attenuation is L 11 , L 12 ,...,L 1n ; R2 goes to T1, T2, ..., T n The distance D 21 ,D 22 ,...,D 2n , the corresponding attenuation is L 21 , L 22 ,...,L 2n ; R n Go to T1, T2, ..., T n The distance D n1 ,D n2 ,...,D nn , the corresponding attenuation is L n1 , L n2 ,...,L nn .

3. The method for measuring the signal strength of a multi-antenna product according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between the receiving point R and each transmitting point T is in cm.

4. The method for measuring the signal strength of a multi-antenna product according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: In step 2, ignoring the influence of air, the loss formula of radio wave propagation in free space is as follows: Loss = 32.44 + 20lg D + 20lg F Among them, Loss is the attenuation strength of a fixed-frequency signal after passing a certain distance, D represents the distance, and F is the center frequency of the signal. Since all antennas transmit the same fixed-frequency signal, from this formula, it can be concluded that: The first set of equations: L 11 =32.44+20lg(D 11 / 100000)+20lg f L 12 =32.44+20lg(D 21 / 100000)+20lg f ... L 1n =32.44+20lg(D 1n / 100000)+20lg f L 21 =32.44+20lg(D 21 / 100000)+20lg f L 22 =32.44+20lg(D 22 / 100000)+20lg f ... L 2n =32.44+20lg(D 2n / 100000)+20lg f ... L n1 =32.44+20lg(D n1 / 100000)+20lg f L n2 =32.44+20lg(D n2 / 100000)+20lg f ... L nn =32.44+20lg(D nn / 100000)+20lg f From this, we can calculate L 11 , L 12 , ..., L 1n , L 21 , L 22 , ..., L 2n , ..., L n1 , L n2 , ..., L nn .

5. The method for measuring the signal strength of a multi-antenna product according to claim 4, characterized in that: The unit of D is kilometers and the unit of F is megahertz.

6. The method for measuring the signal strength of a multi-antenna product according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step 3, all antennas of the product under test DUT are controlled to transmit fixed-frequency signals together, and R1, R2, ..., R n The signal strength values ​​P1, P2, ..., P n .

7. The method for measuring the signal strength of a multi-antenna product according to claim 4, characterized in that: In step 4, based on the equation, based on the signal strength values ​​P1, P2, ..., P n Get T1, T2, ..., T n The signal strength values ​​P1', P2', ..., P n '; P1=(P1’-L 11 )+(P2’-L 12 )+...+(P n ’-L 1n ) P2=(P1’-L 21 )+(P2’-L 22 )+...+(P n ’-L 2n ) ... P n =(P1 ’ -L n1 )+(P2 ’ -L n2 )+...+(P n ’ -L nn ) From this, P1 can be calculated ’ , P2 ’ , ..., P n ’ .

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