A radio frequency fault detection method, device and equipment of a communication module and a storage medium

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communication, and provides a radio frequency fault detection method and device of a communication module, apparatus and storage medium, comprising constructing a radio frequency direct connection test loop between a to-be-tested communication node and a reference communication node, controlling the to-be-tested communication node and the reference communication node to alternately perform radio frequency signal transceiving operations in the radio frequency direct connection test loop to obtain actual receiving power and calculate a transceiving power difference value based on a preset transmitting power and the actual receiving power, and determining a radio frequency hardware fault type of the to-be-tested communication node based on a preset difference value interval into which the transceiving power difference value falls. The present application realizes accurate positioning and classification of radio frequency hardware faults in an instrument-free environment, effectively shortens the fault analysis period and reduces the after-sales cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and more specifically to a method for detecting radio frequency faults in communication modules. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in the production, maintenance, and after-sales troubleshooting of wireless communication modules, signal strength readings or simple connectivity tests are typically used to determine the module's status. However, with the increasing application of low-cost communication modules, their hardware failure types are becoming more diverse. Existing simple testing methods can only determine whether the module has communication anomalies, but cannot further distinguish between specific hardware failures such as damaged RF paths, abnormal chip pins, or calibration parameter deviations. For in-depth fault location, the module must be returned to the factory and analyzed using professional RF testing instruments. This results in long troubleshooting cycles, high after-sales costs, and makes rapid and accurate fault classification and location impossible in environments where professional instruments are lacking at the customer's site. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the problem of difficulty in accurately classifying radio frequency (RF) hardware faults in communication modules in the absence of professional testing instruments in existing technologies, this application proposes an RF fault detection method for communication modules. This method utilizes a known, intact reference communication node to construct an RF direct-connection test loop and performs a relative comparison of transmit and receive power, thereby achieving accurate location and classification of RF hardware faults in an instrument-free environment.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a radio frequency (RF) fault detection method for a communication module, comprising: constructing an RF direct connection test loop between the communication node under test and a reference communication node; controlling the communication node under test and the reference communication node to alternately perform RF signal transmission and reception operations in the RF direct connection test loop to obtain the corresponding actual received power, and calculating the transmission and reception power difference based on a preset transmission power and the actual received power; determining the RF hardware fault type of the communication node under test based on a preset difference range into which the transmission and reception power difference falls, wherein the preset difference range includes multiple ranges corresponding to different RF hardware fault types.

[0005] The above scheme constructs a closed-loop test environment that does not require external instruments by replacing professional test instruments with a reference communication node whose RF performance is known and normal. At the same time, by utilizing the mapping relationship between the difference between transmit and receive power and the type of hardware fault, the simple comparison of power values ​​is transformed into a qualitative analysis of faults with physical meaning, thereby achieving refined identification of RF hardware faults without the need for professional instruments.

[0006] In some embodiments, controlling the communication node under test and the reference communication node to alternately perform radio frequency signal transmission and reception operations in a radio frequency direct connection test loop to obtain the corresponding actual received power, and calculating the transmission and reception power difference based on the preset transmission power and the actual received power, includes: controlling the reference communication node to transmit radio frequency signals at a first preset transmission power, obtaining the first actual received power of the communication node under test, and calculating the first transmission and reception power difference based on the first preset transmission power and the first actual received power; controlling the communication node under test to transmit radio frequency signals at a second preset transmission power, obtaining the second actual received power of the reference communication node, and calculating the second transmission and reception power difference based on the second preset transmission power and the second actual received power.

[0007] In some embodiments, the preset difference range includes a normal range, a pin abnormal range, a path abnormal range, and a calibration abnormal range; based on the preset difference range into which the transmit and receive power difference falls, the RF hardware fault type of the communication node under test is determined, including: based on the preset difference range into which the first transmit and receive power difference falls, the fault type of the receive link of the communication node under test is determined; based on the preset difference range into which the second transmit and receive power difference falls, the fault type of the transmit link of the communication node under test is determined.

[0008] In some embodiments, the normal range is the range where the absolute value of the transmit / receive power difference is less than or equal to a first preset threshold; the pin abnormal range is the range where the transmit / receive power difference is less than or equal to a second preset threshold, where the second preset threshold is negative; the path abnormal range is the range where the transmit / receive power difference is greater than the second preset threshold and less than a negative first preset threshold; and the calibration abnormal range is the range where the transmit / receive power difference is greater than the first preset threshold.

[0009] In some embodiments, before constructing the RF direct connection test loop between the communication node under test and the reference communication node, the method further includes: reading the factory location information of the communication node under test, the factory location information including calibration status, comprehensive test status and full inspection status; if the factory location information does not meet the preset qualification conditions, outputting a return-to-factory repair prompt; if the factory location information meets the preset qualification conditions, then performing the step of constructing the RF direct connection test loop between the communication node under test and the reference communication node.

[0010] In some embodiments, constructing a direct RF test loop between the communication node under test (DUT) and the reference communication node includes: directly connecting the antenna port of the DUT to the antenna port of the reference communication node via an RF cable; or, connecting an RF attenuator in series in the RF cable to connect the antenna port of the DUT to the antenna port of the reference communication node.

[0011] In some embodiments, when an RF attenuator is connected in series in an RF cable, the attenuation of the RF attenuator is configured according to a preset transmit power so that the actual received power is within a preset reference power range under fault-free conditions.

[0012] To address the aforementioned technical problems, another technical solution adopted in this application is: providing a radio frequency (RF) fault detection device for a communication module, comprising: a loop construction module for constructing an RF direct-connection test loop between the communication node under test and a reference communication node; a transceiver control module for controlling the communication node under test and the reference communication node to alternately perform RF signal transmission and reception operations in the RF direct-connection test loop, obtaining the corresponding actual received power, and calculating the transmission and reception power difference based on a preset transmission power and the actual received power; and a fault determination module for determining the RF hardware fault type of the communication node under test based on a preset difference range into which the transmission and reception power difference falls, wherein the preset difference range includes multiple ranges corresponding to different RF hardware fault types.

[0013] Furthermore, this application also provides a computer device, characterized in that the computer device includes: a memory and at least one processor, the memory storing instructions; the at least one processor invokes the instructions in the memory to cause the computer device to execute the radio frequency fault detection method of the communication module as described above.

[0014] In addition, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the radio frequency fault detection method for the communication module as described above.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: Unlike existing technologies, this application discloses a method, apparatus, electronic device, and storage medium for detecting radio frequency (RF) faults in communication modules. By constructing a direct RF test loop between the communication node under test and a reference communication node, the reference communication node serves as a known and reliable reference standard, replacing expensive professional RF test instruments and solving the problem of relying on heavy equipment for on-site troubleshooting. Based on this, by controlling the alternating transmission and reception of both parties and calculating the difference between transmitted and received power, combined with a mapping model between a preset difference range and hardware fault types, abstract power loss can be accurately mapped to specific physical faults such as pin abnormalities, path abnormalities, or calibration abnormalities. This detection mechanism based on relative comparison and range mapping not only eliminates the dependence of absolute power measurement on instrument accuracy but also significantly improves the granularity of fault classification. This enables fault diagnosis capabilities comparable to those of professional laboratories under low-cost, instrument-free conditions, effectively shortening the fault analysis cycle and reducing after-sales maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, wherein: Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the matching method based on multi-round observation data provided in this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the matching device based on multi-round observation data provided in this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a computer device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0018] The terms "first," "second," and "third" used in the embodiments of this application are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first," "second," or "third" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0019] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0020] like Figure 1As shown, this application provides a method for detecting radio frequency (RF) faults in a communication module. By constructing a closed-loop test environment and utilizing the principle of relative comparison, it achieves precise localization of RF hardware faults without the need for external professional testing instruments. The method mainly includes the following steps: Step S100: Construct a direct RF test loop between the communication node under test and the reference communication node.

[0021] Specifically, a reference communication node refers to a device of the same model whose radio frequency performance is known and normal, whose transmit power and receive sensitivity have been strictly calibrated and are within the standard tolerance range, and is used as a standard signal source and standard receiver in this embodiment.

[0022] The communication node under test is the target module that needs to be troubleshooted. The RF direct connection test loop can be constructed by directly connecting the antenna ports of the two devices through an RF cable, or by inserting a suitable attenuation device in series in the link according to power matching requirements, thereby forming a closed and controllable RF signal transmission channel.

[0023] In some embodiments, before constructing the RF direct connection test loop between the communication node under test and the reference communication node, the method further includes: reading the factory location information of the communication node under test, the factory location information including calibration status, comprehensive test status and full inspection status; if the factory location information does not meet the preset qualification conditions, outputting a return-to-factory repair prompt; if the factory location information meets the preset qualification conditions, then performing the step of constructing the RF direct connection test loop between the communication node under test and the reference communication node.

[0024] Specifically, the factory location information of the communication node under test can be read by querying the module's internal registers through an Attention Command (AT), or by directly accessing the module's non-volatile storage area through an Application Programming Interface (API).

[0025] Among them, the calibration status indicates whether the module has completed RF parameter calibration and successfully written data at the calibration station on the production line; the comprehensive testing status indicates whether the module has passed the automated verification of key indicators such as transmit power and receive sensitivity at the comprehensive testing station; and the full inspection status indicates whether the module has passed the final functional integrity check before shipment. These three types of statuses together constitute the digital fingerprint of the module's factory quality, which can directly reflect whether the module has any hard defects or parameter loss issues at the manufacturing process level.

[0026] The preset pass / fail conditions are typically set to all three states mentioned above being either pass or valid. When any state is detected as fail, missing, or abnormal, the system can directly determine that the communication node under test has a clear production legacy issue. In this case, there is no need to expend resources to build an RF direct connection test loop for complex mutual inspection analysis. Instead, the system directly outputs a return-to-factory repair prompt, guiding the operator to return the module to the original factory for in-depth repair or scrapping. Only when all factory site information meets the preset pass / fail conditions, indicating that the module is recorded normally at the production end but is abnormally performing in the live network, will the subsequent RF direct connection mutual inspection process be triggered to investigate hidden hardware faults or environmental compatibility issues.

[0027] It should be understood that the preliminary screening step described in this embodiment is not a necessary prerequisite for implementing the RF fault detection method of this application, but rather an optimization method to improve the overall troubleshooting efficiency. In practical applications, if the factory location information of the communication node under test has been erased, encrypted, or cannot be read, or if the application scenario itself does not involve production traceability, this step can be skipped, and the RF direct connection test loop construction and subsequent testing process can be directly executed. This flexible design ensures that obvious defective products can be quickly filtered out in scenarios with complete production data, avoiding the waste of testing resources and the risk of misjudgment caused by including known defective parts in the mutual inspection process. It also ensures the independence and universality of the core fault detection logic, and the entire testing scheme will not fail due to the lack of preliminary information.

[0028] In some embodiments, constructing a direct RF test loop between the communication node under test (DUT) and the reference communication node includes: directly connecting the antenna port of the DUT to the antenna port of the reference communication node via an RF cable; or, connecting an RF attenuator in series in the RF cable to connect the antenna port of the DUT to the antenna port of the reference communication node.

[0029] Specifically, the two physical connection methods described above are designed to adapt to the testing requirements of communication modules with different power levels, ensuring broad hardware compatibility of the testing scheme. The first method is a direct RF cable connection, which uses a standard RF coaxial cable to directly connect the antenna interfaces of the two nodes without inserting any active or passive components. This method is suitable for modules with lower transmit power, or scenarios where the module's internal RF front-end has integrated fixed attenuation circuitry. Its advantage lies in minimal link loss and the introduction of few additional variables, preserving the original signal characteristics to the greatest extent possible. The second method is a series RF attenuator, which involves connecting one or more passive components with fixed attenuation in the transmission path of the RF cable. This method is mainly suitable for high-power modules, as the transmit power of such modules may reach 30 dBmW or even higher. Direct connection would cause the input power of the receiver at the other end to far exceed its linear operating range upper limit, leading to severe nonlinear distortion and even burning out the sensitive front-end low-noise amplifier (LNA).

[0030] By introducing a suitable attenuator, the signal energy entering the receiving end can be suppressed within a safe and measurable range, thereby ensuring the reliability and measurement accuracy of the test system.

[0031] Furthermore, when an RF attenuator is connected in series in the RF cable, the attenuation of the RF attenuator is configured according to the preset transmit power, so that the actual received power is within the preset reference power range under fault-free conditions.

[0032] Specifically, this configuration principle is the key physical basis for ensuring the accuracy of fault detection results. The preset reference power range refers to the optimal input power range in which the receiver can maintain a good linear response and the signal-to-noise ratio meets the measurement requirements. It is usually set near 0 dBmW, such as -5 dBmW to +5 dBmW. If the actual received power is too high, the receiver's gain will be compressed after entering the saturation region, resulting in a measured power value lower than the true value, which may misjudge a normal module as a path abnormality. If the actual received power is too low, the signal will be submerged in the background noise, increasing measurement fluctuations and also affecting the stability of the difference calculation. Therefore, the selection of the attenuation amount is not arbitrary, but follows a clear calculation logic: the attenuation value should be equal to the preset transmit power minus the target value of the preset reference power.

[0033] For example, if the preset transmit power of the communication node under test is 23 dBmW, and the target power received by the reference communication node is expected to be 0 dBmW, then an attenuator with a nominal value of 23 dB or the closest value of 20 dB or 30 dB should be selected, and fine-tuning compensation should be made in combination with the insertion loss of the cable itself.

[0034] The power matching configuration strategy ensures that no matter how the power level of the module under test changes, as long as it is in a fault-free state, the signal strength acquired by the receiver will always fall within the standardized measurement window. This allows the difference interval mapping model to operate effectively under a unified benchmark, avoiding diagnostic threshold drift caused by differences in test conditions.

[0035] Furthermore, in practical engineering implementation, the selection of RF attenuators must comprehensively consider both frequency coverage and voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR). The operating frequency band of the attenuator must completely cover the operating frequency of the communication module under test; otherwise, severe fluctuations in attenuation will occur outside the band or at the band edge, introducing uncontrollable measurement errors. Simultaneously, the VSWR of the attenuator should be as low as possible to reduce signal reflection caused by impedance mismatch. In short-distance, strongly coupled test environments such as direct RF connections, reflected signals will superimpose with direct signals to form standing waves, causing ripple in the actual power reaching the receiver as frequency and phase change. This directly interferes with the stability of the transmit-receive power difference. Therefore, selecting a high-performance, wide-bandwidth, and low-VSWR precision attenuator is a crucial hardware safeguard for eliminating system-level measurement uncertainty and improving fault classification confidence. Through the aforementioned physical construction and parameter adaptation mechanism, this embodiment provides a stable, controllable, and standardized RF test environment for the upper-layer software algorithm, enabling the instrument-free fault detection method to maintain consistent diagnostic performance across different product forms and application scenarios.

[0036] Step S200: Control the communication node under test and the reference communication node to alternately perform radio frequency signal transmission and reception operations in the radio frequency direct connection test loop, obtain the corresponding actual received power, and calculate the transmission and reception power difference based on the preset transmission power and the actual received power.

[0037] Specifically, alternating execution refers to alternating transmission and reception by the reference communication node and the communication node under test (DUT) within a complete testing cycle. The core purpose of this bidirectional alternation mechanism is to decouple the fault characteristics of the transmission and reception links, avoiding misjudgments or omissions caused by unidirectional testing. The preset transmission power is the nominal output power value pre-configured within the node, while the actual received power is the signal strength value measured by the peer node under the current loop conditions. The difference between transmit and receive power reflects the degree of signal deviation from the ideal state during transmission. Because this difference is based on relative measurement within the same loop, it effectively compensates for common-mode interference factors such as ambient temperature drift and cable loss fluctuations, ensuring that the test results only characterize the RF performance of the DUT itself, rather than the absolute error of the entire test system.

[0038] In this optional embodiment, the communication node under test and the reference communication node are controlled to alternately perform radio frequency signal transmission and reception operations in the radio frequency direct connection test loop to obtain the corresponding actual received power, and the transmission and reception power difference is calculated based on the preset transmission power and the actual received power. Specifically, this includes: controlling the reference communication node to transmit radio frequency signals at a first preset transmission power, obtaining the first actual received power of the communication node under test, and calculating the first transmission and reception power difference based on the first preset transmission power and the first actual received power; controlling the communication node under test to transmit radio frequency signals at a second preset transmission power, obtaining the second actual received power of the reference communication node, and calculating the second transmission and reception power difference based on the second preset transmission power and the second actual received power.

[0039] Specifically, this bidirectional differential calculation mechanism is used to decouple faults in the transmit and receive links. Since the transmit and receive paths of a communication module are typically independent in terms of physical hardware, a unidirectional test alone cannot accurately determine which side is the fault source. By constructing a bidirectional closed-loop test, the first transmit / receive power difference primarily characterizes the performance of the receive link of the communication node under test. This is because the reference communication node, as a known good standard signal source, has reliable transmit power, and any significant power deviation can be attributed to a receiving anomaly on the test side. Similarly, the second transmit / receive power difference primarily characterizes the performance of the transmit link of the communication node under test. This is because the reference communication node, as a standard receiver, has reliable measurement results, and the power deviation directly reflects a transmitting anomaly on the test side.

[0040] The separate diagnostic strategy effectively avoids the misjudgment problem caused by fault coupling in traditional unidirectional testing, and significantly improves the accuracy of fault location.

[0041] Step S300: Determine the RF hardware fault type of the communication node under test based on the preset difference range into which the transmit and receive power difference falls; wherein, the preset difference range includes multiple ranges corresponding to different RF hardware fault types.

[0042] Specifically, the preset difference range is not a simple range for comparing numerical values, but a logical set established in advance through extensive experimental calibration, which has a causal mapping relationship with the underlying physical fault mechanism. Different RF hardware faults will cause the signal to exhibit power deviation characteristics of different orders of magnitude. For example, severe structural damage usually corresponds to extremely large power attenuation, while device performance degradation or parameter calibration deviation corresponds to moderate attenuation or power overflow.

[0043] By discretizing continuous power differences into multiple intervals with clear physical meanings, the transformation from abstract data to specific fault characterization is achieved. It should be understood that the division of these intervals is based on the physical characteristics of the radio frequency circuit, rather than arbitrarily set thresholds. Therefore, it can still provide fault classification results with engineering guidance even in the absence of precision instruments.

[0044] Through the above steps S100 to S300, this application establishes a complete instrument-free radio frequency fault diagnosis mechanism, which significantly improves the efficiency and accuracy of fault diagnosis.

[0045] Furthermore, the preset difference range includes a normal range, a pin abnormal range, a path abnormal range, and a calibration abnormal range; based on the preset difference range into which the transmit and receive power difference falls, the RF hardware fault type of the communication node under test is determined, including: based on the preset difference range into which the first transmit and receive power difference falls, the fault type of the receiving link of the communication node under test is determined; based on the preset difference range into which the second transmit and receive power difference falls, the fault type of the transmitting link of the communication node under test is determined.

[0046] The normal range is defined as the range where the absolute value of the transmit / receive power difference is less than or equal to a first preset threshold; the pin abnormal range is defined as the range where the transmit / receive power difference is less than or equal to a second preset threshold, which is negative; the path abnormal range is defined as the range where the transmit / receive power difference is greater than the second preset threshold but less than a negative first preset threshold; and the calibration abnormal range is defined as the range where the transmit / receive power difference is greater than the first preset threshold.

[0047] Specifically, the division of the above four intervals is not a simple numerical division, but a deep mapping model based on the physical failure mechanism of radio frequency circuits. This is the key difference between this application and conventional power comparison tests.

[0048] The normal range physically means that the RF performance of the communication node under test is within the design tolerance range. The first preset threshold is usually set according to the module's production consistency indicators and the inherent error of the test system, for example, it can be set to 3dB. When the difference falls within this range, it indicates that the link loss or gain is within the expected fluctuation range, and the hardware function is judged to be normal.

[0049] The pin abnormality range corresponds to a severe structural open-circuit fault. The second preset threshold is a large negative value, for example, -20dB. When the difference is less than or equal to this threshold, it means that the signal has encountered significant attenuation or even complete blockage during transmission. From an RF physics perspective, this typically corresponds to hard faults such as poor soldering of chip pins, detached pads, short circuits in electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection devices, or complete damage to RF switches. These types of faults cause drastic changes or open circuits in the effective impedance of the signal path, preventing most of the signal energy from being transmitted, thus exhibiting attenuation values ​​far exceeding normal losses. Listing this range separately helps maintenance personnel quickly identify severe hardware damage requiring resoldering or chip replacement.

[0050] The abnormal range corresponds to soft faults such as performance degradation or poor connection of RF devices. This range lies between a second preset threshold and a negative first preset threshold, for example, -20dB to -3dB. When the difference falls within this range, it indicates that although the signal can be transmitted, the insertion loss is significantly higher than normal. From a physical mechanism perspective, this usually corresponds to aging of the surface acoustic wave filter (SAW filter), decreased gain of the power amplifier (PA), excessive bending of RF cables, oxidation of connector contacts, or impedance mismatch. These faults do not cause a complete signal interruption, but are sufficient to cause a decrease in communication quality or a reduction in coverage. By identifying such moderate attenuation, this application can effectively detect potentially degraded modules that are still functional but have degraded performance, preventing them from flowing into subsequent stages or causing intermittent faults in the existing network.

[0051] The calibration anomaly range corresponds to errors in non-volatile memory (NVM) parameters or failure of the compensation algorithm. When the difference exceeds a first preset threshold, it means that the actual received power is higher than the theoretically expected value. Physically, this is usually not caused by hardware damage, but rather by software or parameter-level problems such as calibration data writing errors, temperature compensation curve offset, improper automatic gain control (AGC) entry configuration, or abnormal digital-to-analog converter (DAC) bias voltage. These types of faults can cause excessive transmit power to interfere with other equipment, or excessively high receive sensitivity to introduce noise, and are also considered non-conforming products that must be rejected. By isolating calibration anomalies as a separate positive deviation range, this application can not only detect hardware damage but also cover parameter-related faults, achieving a full spectrum of hardware and software fault diagnosis.

[0052] It should be understood that the first preset threshold of 3dB and the second preset threshold of -20dB in the above examples are only illustrative values. In practical applications, these thresholds should be dynamically configured based on the specific model, operating frequency band, power level of the communication module, and the statistical results of large-scale production testing. Different specifications of modules have different normal loss baselines and failure distribution characteristics. Through the configurable threshold mechanism, the fault mapping model provided in this application can flexibly adapt to various product forms, maintaining the universality and accuracy of diagnostic logic.

[0053] This application also provides a specific application example of a radio frequency (RF) fault detection method for communication modules in a field maintenance scenario where instrument-free fault diagnosis is required. This application scenario aims to verify the practical effectiveness of the technical solution described in the foregoing embodiments in quickly and accurately locating hardware faults in communication modules in environments lacking professional RF testing instruments. It should be understood that the specific parameters, equipment models, and operating procedures described below are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. The numerical thresholds and step sequence in actual applications can be adjusted according to specific product specifications and business needs.

[0054] In this application scenario, the environment is set as an automotive electronics after-sales service center or a re-inspection station at the end of a production line. The operator uses a laptop computer as a control terminal, which is equipped with the testing software implementing the method described in this application. Simultaneously, a module of the same model with known and normal RF performance is prepared as a reference communication node, and a suspected faulty module returned from the existing network or intercepted from the production line is prepared as the communication node under test. The entire testing system consists of the control terminal, the reference communication node, and the communication node under test. The control terminal establishes data communication connections with the two communication nodes respectively through a Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART) or Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, used to issue control commands and collect test data.

[0055] At the start of the testing process, operators first perform a preliminary screening step via control terminal 1003. The control terminal sends a query command to the communication node under test to read its internally stored factory station information, including calibration status, comprehensive test status, and full inspection status. If the reading results show any status as unqualified or missing, the control terminal directly displays a return-to-factory repair prompt, terminating subsequent testing and thus avoiding ineffective mutual inspection operations on obviously defective products. Only when all station information shows as qualified will the system allow the next step, physical loop construction, to proceed. This design effectively filters out non-RF hardware process defects and improves overall troubleshooting efficiency.

[0056] Subsequently, the operators constructed a direct RF test loop. Considering that the communication node under test in this scenario is a high-power vehicle-mounted communication module with a relatively high preset transmit power, to prevent signal overload and damage to the receiving front end of the reference communication node, the operators connected an RF attenuator with a nominal attenuation of 30 dB in series in the RF cable connecting the two. This attenuation was chosen to ensure that the actual received power under fault-free conditions falls within the optimal linear measurement range of the reference communication node. After the connection was completed, the control terminal detected normal link connectivity and automatically initiated the mutual test procedure.

[0057] During the mutual testing process, the control terminal automatically controls the reference communication node and the communication node under test to alternately perform radio frequency signal transmission and reception operations. First, the reference communication node transmits a signal at a first preset transmission power, and the communication node under test receives and reports the first actual received power. Then, the communication node under test transmits a signal at a second preset transmission power, and the reference communication node receives and reports the second actual received power. The control terminal calculates the difference between the transmission and reception power in both directions in real time and matches it with a preset fault mapping model. The entire process requires no manual intervention and does not require connection to expensive equipment such as spectrum analyzers or integrated testers.

[0058] After the test is completed, the test results are displayed intuitively on the control terminal interface. For example, in a certain actual troubleshooting, the interface showed that the receiving link of the communication node under test was normal, but the transmitting link was abnormal, specifically the second transmit / receive power difference was -12 dB. According to the above mapping logic, this difference falls within the abnormal range of the path, indicating that there is a soft fault with increased insertion loss in the transmitting path of the communication node under test, rather than a chip pin open circuit or calibration parameter error. Based on this accurate diagnostic conclusion, the maintenance personnel do not need to blindly replace the entire module or try to re-flash the firmware, but can directly check and replace the RF filter on the transmitting path. After replacing the components, the above mutual test process is executed again, and the results show that both bidirectional differences are within the normal range, confirming that the fault has been eliminated.

[0059] As can be seen from the complete application process described above, the technical solution provided in this application successfully transforms the complex RF fault analysis process, which originally relied on specialized instruments and took several hours, into a standardized operation that requires only simple connections and can be completed in minutes. This not only significantly reduces the requirements for after-sales service network hardware facilities and maintenance costs, but more importantly, by transforming abstract power differences into fault type labels with clear physical indications, it provides non-RF professionals with an actionable basis for maintenance decision-making, significantly improving the first-time success rate of fault repair and customer satisfaction. It should be understood that the 30 dB attenuation, -12 dB difference, and specific faulty components in the above example are set for demonstration purposes. In actual deployment, these parameters should be dynamically configured according to the specific RF architecture of the module and historical fault big data to maintain the best adaptability of the diagnostic model.

[0060] The radio frequency (RF) fault detection method for the communication module in this application embodiment has been described above. The radio frequency (RF) fault detection device for the communication module in this application embodiment is described below. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 2 One embodiment of the radio frequency fault detection device for the communication module in this application includes: The loop construction module is used to construct a direct RF connection test loop between the communication node under test and the reference communication node.

[0061] The transceiver control module is used to control the communication node under test and the reference communication node to alternately perform radio frequency signal transmission and reception operations in the radio frequency direct connection test loop, obtain the corresponding actual received power, and calculate the difference between the transmission and reception power based on the preset transmission power and the actual received power.

[0062] The fault determination module is used to determine the radio frequency hardware fault type of the communication node under test based on a preset difference range into which the transmit and receive power difference falls. The preset difference range includes multiple ranges corresponding to different radio frequency hardware fault types.

[0063] The loop construction module is further used to read the factory location information of the communication node under test, which includes calibration status, comprehensive test status and full inspection status; if the factory location information does not meet the preset qualification conditions, a return-to-factory repair prompt is output; if the factory location information meets the preset qualification conditions, the step of constructing the RF direct connection test loop between the communication node under test and the reference communication node is executed.

[0064] The loop construction module is further used to directly connect the antenna port of the communication node under test to the antenna port of the reference communication node via an RF cable; or, to connect the antenna port of the communication node under test to the antenna port of the reference communication node in series in the RF cable.

[0065] When an RF attenuator is connected in series in the RF cable, the attenuation of the RF attenuator is configured according to the preset transmit power, so that the actual receive power is within the preset reference power range under fault-free conditions.

[0066] The transceiver control module is further configured to control the reference communication node to transmit radio frequency signals at a first preset transmit power, obtain the first actual receive power of the communication node under test, and calculate a first transmit-receive power difference based on the first preset transmit power and the first actual receive power; control the communication node under test to transmit radio frequency signals at a second preset transmit power, obtain the second actual receive power of the reference communication node, and calculate a second transmit-receive power difference based on the second preset transmit power and the second actual receive power.

[0067] The fault determination module is further configured to determine the fault type of the receiving link of the communication node under test based on the preset difference range into which the first transmit / receive power difference falls; and to determine the fault type of the transmitting link of the communication node under test based on the preset difference range into which the second transmit / receive power difference falls.

[0068] Wherein, the normal range is the range where the absolute value of the transmit / receive power difference is less than or equal to a first preset threshold; the pin abnormal range is the range where the transmit / receive power difference is less than or equal to a second preset threshold, where the second preset threshold is a negative value; the path abnormal range is the range where the transmit / receive power difference is greater than the second preset threshold and less than a negative first preset threshold; and the calibration abnormal range is the range where the transmit / receive power difference is greater than the first preset threshold.

[0069] above Figure 2 The matching device based on multi-round observation data in this application embodiment is described in detail from the perspective of modular functional entities. The computer equipment in this application embodiment is described in detail from the perspective of hardware processing.

[0070] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a computer device 500 provided in an embodiment of this application. The computer device 500 can vary significantly due to different configurations or performance. It may include one or more central processing units (CPUs) 510 (e.g., one or more processors) and a memory 520, and one or more storage media 530 (e.g., one or more mass storage devices) for storing application programs 533 or data 532. The memory 520 and storage media 530 can be temporary or persistent storage. The program stored in the storage media 530 may include one or more modules (not shown in the diagram), each module including a series of instruction operations on the computer device 500. Furthermore, the processor 510 may be configured to communicate with the storage media 530 and execute the series of instruction operations in the storage media 530 on the computer device 500.

[0071] Computer device 500 may also include one or more power supplies 540, one or more wired or wireless network interfaces 550, one or more input / output interfaces 560, and / or one or more operating systems 531, such as Windows Server, MacOSX, Unix, Linux, FreeBSD, etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that... Figure 3 The computer device structure shown does not constitute a limitation on the computer device and may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0072] This application also provides a computer device, which includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores computer-readable instructions. When the computer-readable instructions are executed by the processor, the processor performs the steps of the matching method based on multi-round observation data in the above embodiments.

[0073] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which can be a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium or a volatile computer-readable storage medium, storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform steps of a matching method based on multi-round observation data.

[0074] Unlike existing technologies, this application addresses the problem that existing technologies rely on specialized RF instruments and cannot perform fine-grained classification of communication module hardware faults by constructing a direct RF test loop. By directly connecting the communication node under test (DUT) to a reference communication node via RF cables, this application replaces expensive specialized RF test instruments with a known, intact reference node, creating a closed-loop test environment that eliminates the need for external instruments and completely solves the problem of relying on heavy equipment for on-site troubleshooting. This application also controls the reference node and the DUT to alternately transmit RF signals, calculating the transmit and receive power differences in both directions. This decouples the fault characteristics of the transmit and receive links, avoiding misjudgments or omissions caused by unidirectional testing. Simultaneously, based on the principle of relative comparison, it effectively cancels common-mode interference such as environmental temperature drift and cable loss, ensuring that the results only characterize the RF performance of the DUT itself. Furthermore, this application establishes a fault mapping model based on preset difference ranges, dividing continuous power differences into four ranges: normal, pin abnormal, path abnormal, and calibration abnormal, corresponding to physical failure mechanisms such as normal fluctuations, severe open circuits, soft degradation, and parameter offsets, respectively. This method transforms abstract power value comparisons into qualitative fault analysis with clear physical meaning, enabling precise classification of the entire spectrum of hardware and software faults. Furthermore, this application, in conjunction with pre-screening and attenuator adaptation configurations, filters out defective products from the factory in advance to save testing resources and ensures a unified measurement benchmark for modules of different power levels. It achieves accurate location and classification of RF hardware faults without the need for instruments, significantly shortening the fault analysis cycle and reducing after-sales costs.

[0075] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. Each embodiment focuses on its differences from other embodiments. In particular, the storage medium embodiments and computer device embodiments are basically similar to the method embodiments, so the descriptions are relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions of the method embodiments.

[0076] This application can be used in a wide range of general-purpose or special-purpose computing system environments or configurations. For example: personal computers, handheld or portable devices, tablet devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, network PCs, minicomputers, distributed computing environments including any of the above systems or devices, etc.

[0077] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed methods and devices can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted or not performed.

[0078] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment, depending on actual needs.

[0079] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0080] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and does not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A method for detecting radio frequency faults in a communication module, characterized in that, include: Construct a direct RF test loop between the communication node under test and the reference communication node; The test node and the reference communication node are controlled to alternately perform radio frequency signal transmission and reception operations in the radio frequency direct connection test loop to obtain the corresponding actual received power, and the transmission and reception power difference is calculated based on the preset transmission power and the actual received power. Based on the preset difference range into which the transmit and receive power difference falls, the radio frequency hardware fault type of the communication node under test is determined. The preset difference range includes multiple ranges corresponding to different radio frequency hardware fault types.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process of controlling the communication node under test and the reference communication node to alternately perform radio frequency signal transmission and reception operations in the radio frequency direct connection test loop, obtaining the corresponding actual received power, and calculating the transmission and reception power difference based on the preset transmission power and the actual received power includes: The reference communication node is controlled to transmit radio frequency signals at a first preset transmission power, the first actual received power of the communication node under test is obtained, and a first transmit-receive power difference is calculated based on the first preset transmission power and the first actual received power. The test communication node is controlled to transmit radio frequency signals at a second preset transmission power, the second actual received power of the reference communication node is obtained, and the second transmit / receive power difference is calculated based on the second preset transmission power and the second actual received power.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The preset difference range includes a normal range, a pin abnormal range, a path abnormal range, and a calibration abnormal range; The determination of the radio frequency hardware fault type of the communication node under test based on the preset difference range into which the transmit and receive power difference falls includes: Based on the preset difference range into which the first transmit and receive power difference falls, the fault type of the receiving link of the communication node under test is determined. Based on the preset difference range into which the second transmit / receive power difference falls, the fault type of the transmit link of the communication node under test is determined.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The normal range is the range in which the absolute value of the transmit / receive power difference is less than or equal to a first preset threshold. The pin abnormality range is the range in which the difference between transmit and receive power is less than or equal to a second preset threshold, where the second preset threshold is a negative value. The abnormal channel range is the range in which the difference between transmit and receive power is greater than the second preset threshold and less than the negative first preset threshold; The calibration anomaly range is the range where the difference between transmit and receive power is greater than the first preset threshold.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before constructing the RF direct-connect test loop between the communication node under test and the reference communication node, the method further includes: Read the factory location information of the communication node under test, which includes calibration status, comprehensive test status and full inspection status; If the factory location information does not meet the preset qualification conditions, a return-to-factory repair prompt will be output. If the factory site information meets the preset qualification conditions, then the step of constructing the radio frequency direct connection test loop between the communication node under test and the reference communication node is executed.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The construction of the radio frequency direct connection test loop between the communication node under test and the reference communication node includes: The antenna port of the communication node under test is directly connected to the antenna port of the reference communication node via an RF cable. Alternatively, an RF attenuator can be connected in series in the RF cable to connect the antenna port of the communication node under test to the antenna port of the reference communication node.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, When an RF attenuator is connected in series in the RF cable, the attenuation of the RF attenuator is configured according to the preset transmit power, so that the actual receive power is within the preset reference power range under fault-free conditions.

8. A radio frequency fault detection device for a communication module, characterized in that, include: The loop construction module is used to construct a direct RF test loop between the communication node under test and the reference communication node. The transceiver control module is used to control the communication node under test and the reference communication node to alternately perform radio frequency signal transmission and reception operations in the radio frequency direct connection test loop, obtain the corresponding actual received power, and calculate the difference between the transmission and reception power based on the preset transmission power and the actual received power. The fault determination module is used to determine the radio frequency hardware fault type of the communication node under test based on a preset difference range into which the transmit and receive power difference falls. The preset difference range includes multiple ranges corresponding to different radio frequency hardware fault types.

9. A computer device, characterized in that, The computer device includes: a memory and at least one processor, wherein the memory stores instructions; The at least one processor invokes the instructions in the memory to cause the computer device to execute the radio frequency fault detection method for the communication module as described in any one of claims 1-7.

10. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed by the processor, it implements the radio frequency fault detection method for the communication module as described in any one of claims 1-7.

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