Automatic test system for in-band characteristics of radio frequency transceiver module

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic test system for in-band characteristics of a radio frequency transceiver module, which comprises an upper computer and radio frequency simulation equipment, and is characterized in that a test sequence control module, an avionics simulation module and an avionics control module reside on the upper computer; the test sequence control module performs overall scheduling on each test subitem according to a test requirement, and sends a test scene request corresponding to each test subitem to the avionics simulation module and the avionics control module; therefore, the avionics simulation module is controlled to generate flight parameters required by a test scene, and the avionics control module is controlled to generate control information required by the test scene; and sending the program code corresponding to each test subitem to the radio frequency simulation equipment so as to control the radio frequency simulation equipment to transmit a radio frequency signal to the tested radio frequency transceiver module, and judging a test result according to response information received by the radio frequency simulation equipment. According to the invention, one-key automatic test is realized from the perspective of a test executor, so that the purposes of improving the test efficiency, shortening the test time and meeting the test requirements are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of airborne electronic product testing, and relates to an automated testing system for in-band characteristics of a radio frequency transceiver module. By using the testing system, batch automatic testing of in-band characteristics of radio frequency transceiver modules can be realized, thereby greatly improving the working efficiency of related tests. Background Art

[0002] The localization of civil airborne equipment is a new hot spot in the development of the aviation industry, and it also puts forward new requirements for testing methods and capabilities. MOPS (Minimum Operational Performance Standards) is the minimum performance indicator that must be met in the field of civil airborne equipment, and is the minimum standard for measuring whether airborne equipment is qualified. The in-band characteristics of the RF transceiver module are a relatively concerned basic indicator in MOPS, which mainly include the capture of the S-mode and C-mode response pulses of the RF transceiver module in the 1087-1093MHz frequency band, sensitivity (Minimum Triggering Level, MTL), band critical value working ability, power range, dynamic range and other performance. The in-band characteristic test item covers the basic indicators for the normal operation of the RF transceiver module. It is a necessary test item in the test verification process, with a high test frequency and high requirements for test capabilities.

[0003] The traditional test method involves setting up a test environment including related instrument panels, controllers, and RF simulation equipment, manually setting RF simulation excitation, and manually observing the alarm status of the display. The whole process is cumbersome and has the following disadvantages:

[0004] 1. There are too many instruments and cables in the test environment, the construction process is complicated, the environmental failure rate is high, and the equipment maintenance cost is high;

[0005] 2. It is mainly based on manual testing. Currently, there is still a lack of automated testing with in-band features in the industry.

[0006] 3. There are many in-band feature test sub-items, the test steps are complicated, the test time is long, and the efficiency is low;

[0007] 4. Since a single test item consumes a long time, there is a risk that the test time will be less than the test time during the airworthiness certification test, and all test items cannot be covered within the prescribed test time.

[0008] 5. In-band characteristics involve test indicators with high precision requirements, such as sensitivity, dynamic range, and working power range. There is a risk of manual misjudgment if they are changed to manual testing.

[0009] Traditional testing methods are time-consuming and labor-intensive, and are unable to meet the current demand for rapid localization of aviation equipment. Summary of the invention

[0010] The purpose of the invention is to provide an automated test system for the in-band characteristics of a radio frequency transceiver module, optimize the in-band characteristics test of the radio frequency transceiver module through automated testing, convert each test sub-item into a test sequence, perform overall scheduling through a test sequence execution module, control and mobilize the execution of the test sequence, perform scene control and message reading through programming of a radio frequency simulation device, obtain messages through TCP / IP transmission on a host computer, and parse the messages through a specific message parsing program, and finally obtain the test item results. One-click automated testing is achieved from the perspective of the test executor to achieve the purpose of improving test efficiency, shortening test time, and meeting test requirements.

[0011] The object of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0012] An automated test system for in-band characteristics of a radio frequency transceiver module comprises a host computer and a radio frequency simulation device, wherein a test sequence control module, an avionics simulation module and an avionics control module reside on the host computer;

[0013] The test sequence control module performs overall scheduling of each test sub-item according to the test requirements of the in-band characteristics of the RF transceiver module, and sends the test scenario requests corresponding to each test sub-item to the avionics simulation module and the avionics control module, thereby controlling the avionics simulation module to generate the flight parameters required for the test scenario and controlling the avionics control module to generate the control information required for the test scenario; the program code corresponding to each test sub-item is sent to the RF simulation device to control the RF simulation device to transmit RF signals to the RF transceiver module under test, and the test results are judged based on the response information received by the RF simulation device.

[0014] Preferably, after receiving the test scenario request from the test sequence control module, the avionics simulation module simulates the flight parameters required during the test, including pressure altitude and radio altitude, longitude and latitude, heading angle, airspeed, ground speed, and sends them to the RF transceiver module via the ARINC664 bus.

[0015] Preferably, after receiving the test scenario request from the test sequence control module, the avionics control module simulates the control data required in the test process and sends it to the RF transceiver module through the ARINC664 bus; the control data can control the selection and conversion of various modes of the RF transceiver module, and set corresponding RF transceiver module working modes for different test scenarios, including self-test, standby, landing gear retraction / depression, air-to-ground status, TA only mode, and TA / RA mode.

[0016] Preferably, the test sequence control module is connected to the radio frequency simulation device via a LAN port, and performs program code sending and response information receiving via TCP / IP protocol.

[0017] Preferably, an avionics display module is also resident on the host computer, and the avionics display module receives the alarm logic information sent back by the radio frequency transceiver module through the ARINC664 bus, analyzes the alarm information in the alarm logic information, and displays it. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 The block diagram of the structure of the automated test system for the in-band characteristics of the RF transceiver module.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal control logic of the host computer.

[0020] Figure 3 The figure is a test flow diagram of the automated test system for the in-band characteristics of the RF transceiver module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0022] See also Figure 1 As shown, the automatic test system for the in-band characteristics of a radio frequency transceiver module shown in this embodiment includes a host computer and a radio frequency simulation device, and software modules such as a test sequence control module, an avionics simulation module, an avionics display module, and an avionics control module reside on the host computer. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the avionics simulation module, avionics display module, and avionics control module complete data communication with the tested RF transceiver module through the ARINC664 bus to simulate a real flight scenario for the test process. The host computer is connected to the RF simulation device through the LAN port, and programming control and message reading are performed through the TCP / IP protocol. The RF simulation device is connected to the RF interface of the RF transceiver module through 8 antennas for transmitting RF signals.

[0023] The test sequence control module performs overall scheduling of each test sub-item according to the test requirements of the in-band characteristics of the RF transceiver module, sends the test scenario requests corresponding to each test sub-item to the avionics simulation module and the avionics control module, thereby controlling the avionics simulation module to generate the flight parameters required for the test scenario and controlling the avionics control module to generate the control information required for the test scenario, sends the program code corresponding to each test sub-item to the RF simulation device, thereby controlling the RF simulation device to transmit RF signals to the RF transceiver module under test, and judges the test results based on the response information received by the RF simulation device.

[0024] After receiving the test scenario request from the test sequence control module, the avionics simulation module simulates the flight parameters required in the test process, such as pressure altitude and radio altitude, longitude and latitude, heading angle, airspeed, ground speed, etc., to simulate the real flight environment for the test and send it to the RF transceiver module through the ARINC664 bus.

[0025] After receiving the test scenario request from the test sequence control module, the avionics control module simulates the control data required in the test process and sends it to the RF transceiver module through the ARINC664 bus. The control data can control the selection and conversion of each mode of the RF transceiver module, and set the corresponding RF transceiver module working mode for different test scenarios, such as self-test, (NORMAL), standby (STBY), landing gear retraction / depression, air-to-ground status, TA only mode, TA / RA mode and other flight working modes.

[0026] The avionics display module receives the warning logic information sent back by the RF transceiver module through the ARINC664 bus, analyzes the warning information in the warning logic information and displays it. The avionics display module simulates the onboard display screen, providing the test executor with intuitive aircraft monitoring and warning screens for easy observation, debugging and troubleshooting.

[0027] The RF simulation device is a tester. After receiving the program code output by the test sequence control module, it can simulate the excitation RF signal of the corresponding test scenario and transmit it to the RF transceiver module through the antenna. At the same time, it receives the response RF signal emitted by the RF transceiver module and passes it to the test sequence control.

[0028] This embodiment takes the S-mode 1087 MHz working capability test of the in-band characteristics of the radio frequency transceiver module as an example to illustrate the test effect of the present invention.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the steps of the automated test system for the in-band characteristics of the RF transceiver module when performing the automated test of the S-mode 1087MHz working capability are as follows:

[0030] 1) The avionics simulation module and the avionics control module respectively simulate the flight parameters and control data of the corresponding test scenarios according to the test scenario request of the test sequence control module, and transmit them to the RF transceiver module;

[0031] 2) After the RF simulation device loads the program from the test sequence control module through TCP / IP, it outputs the simulated excitation RF signal corresponding to the test scenario to the RF transceiver module;

[0032] 3) The RF transceiver module adjusts to the corresponding working mode according to the control data, makes judgments through the internal alarm logic based on the received excitation RF signal and flight parameters, sends the alarm logic information to the avionics display module, and sends a response RF signal to the RF simulation device at the same time;

[0033] 4) The avionics display module receives the warning logic information sent back by the RF transceiver module through ARINC664, parses the warning information in the warning logic information, and displays it on the avionics display module and transmits it to the test sequence control module;

[0034] 5) The test sequence control module receives response information from the RF simulation device through the LAN port, and compares the response information with the pre-configured expected data. If they are consistent, the test passes, otherwise the test fails.

[0035] 6) Generate a test report based on the test judgment results.

[0036] The test results show that for a single test item in the S-mode 1087MHz working capability test case, manual testing takes about 5 minutes, while the automated testing method takes about 30 seconds, significantly improving efficiency.

[0037] It is understandable that those skilled in the art can make equivalent substitutions or changes based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, and all these changes or substitutions should fall within the protection scope of the claims attached to the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated test system for in-band characteristics of a radio frequency transceiver module, comprising a host computer and a radio frequency simulation device, characterized in that The host computer is resident with a test sequence control module, an avionics simulation module, and an avionics control module; The test sequence control module performs overall scheduling of each test sub-item according to the test requirements of the in-band characteristics of the RF transceiver module, and sends the test scenario requests corresponding to each test sub-item to the avionics simulation module and the avionics control module, thereby controlling the avionics simulation module to generate the flight parameters required for the test scenario and controlling the avionics control module to generate the control information required for the test scenario; the program code corresponding to each test sub-item is sent to the RF simulation device to control the RF simulation device to transmit RF signals to the RF transceiver module under test, and the test results are judged based on the response information received by the RF simulation device.

2. The automatic test system for in-band characteristics of a radio frequency transceiver module according to claim 1, characterized in that After receiving the test scenario request from the test sequence control module, the avionics simulation module simulates the flight parameters required in the test process, including pressure altitude and radio altitude, longitude and latitude, heading angle, airspeed, ground speed, and sends them to the RF transceiver module through the ARINC664 bus.

3. The automatic test system for in-band characteristics of a radio frequency transceiver module according to claim 1 is characterized in that After receiving the test scenario request from the test sequence control module, the avionics control module simulates the control data required in the test process and sends it to the RF transceiver module through the ARINC664 bus; the control data can control the selection and conversion of various modes of the RF transceiver module, and set the corresponding RF transceiver module working mode for different test scenarios, including self-test, standby, landing gear retraction / depression, air-to-ground status, TA only mode, and TA / RA mode.

4. The automatic test system for in-band characteristics of a radio frequency transceiver module according to claim 1, characterized in that The test sequence control module is connected to the radio frequency simulation device through the LAN port, and the program code is sent and the response information is received through the TCP / IP protocol.

5. The automatic test system for in-band characteristics of a radio frequency transceiver module according to claim 1, characterized in that An avionics display module is also resident on the host computer. The avionics display module receives the warning logic information sent back by the radio frequency transceiver module through the ARINC664 bus, parses the warning information in the warning logic information and displays it.

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