Automatic test hardware system for radio frequency module of vector network equipment
By constructing an automated testing system, utilizing control converters, switching matrices, and network switches, automated testing of the RF modules of vector network devices is achieved. This solves the problem of low efficiency in manual testing, improves testing efficiency and accuracy, and enhances system adaptability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423209746.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-14
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing vector network device module testing relies on manual operation, resulting in low testing efficiency, high error rates, and unsuitability for batch operations.
An automated testing system is constructed using control converters, switching matrices, and network switches. A host computer controls various testing instruments to achieve automated testing and data feedback.
It improves the testing efficiency and accuracy of RF modules for vector network equipment, reduces the hassle and errors of cable replacement, and is highly adaptable, capable of handling both high- and low-power products.
Smart Images
Figure CN223553335U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to vector network device testing technology, and more particularly to an automatic testing hardware system for the radio frequency module of a vector network device. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, vector network device module testing primarily relies on manual testing and recording. After connecting the hardware testing system according to the test diagram, the test engineer first sets the relevant configuration parameters of the instruments and equipment according to the test requirements; then, they start the product under test and configure its parameters; next, they read the test data from the testing instruments and record the data; finally, they change the cable connections according to the test items, modify the instrument and product under test configuration parameters, and repeat the above steps. This method requires repeatedly changing wiring positions and frequently recording data. In batch operations, this is not conducive to rapid response, easily leads to fatigue, and inevitably results in incorrect connections or recordings. Utility Model Content
[0003] To address the shortcomings of the existing technology, this application provides an automatic testing hardware system for the RF module of a vector network device. The system directly connects the RF module of the vector network device to multiple testing instruments simultaneously via a switching matrix, and establishes a control link through a control converter and a network switch. This enables automatic testing of multiple parameters and feedback to the host computer for recording, thereby improving the testing efficiency and accuracy of the RF module of the vector network device.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following technology:
[0005] An automated testing hardware system for the radio frequency module of a vector network device, characterized in that it includes:
[0006] Control converters and switching matrix connected to the RF module of the vector network device under test;
[0007] Multiple test instruments connected to the switch matrix;
[0008] Network switches connected to control converters, switching matrices, and multiple test instruments; and
[0009] The host computer for testing is connected to the network switch;
[0010] The host computer is used to send control commands to the control converter, exchange commands to the switch switching matrix, and test commands to each test instrument through the network switch. It is also used to receive feedback data from the control converter, switch switching matrix, and each test instrument through the network switch.
[0011] The switching matrix is used to realize omnidirectional switching between each RF connector of the RF module of the vector network device under test and the port connectors of multiple test instruments according to the switching command;
[0012] The control converter is used to change the frequency and control the attenuation gain of the downconversion circuit of the RF module of the vector network device under test according to control commands.
[0013] The switching matrix adopts a switching matrix device that meets the 8*8 omnidirectional switching requirements.
[0014] The bus data terminal of the control converter is a LAN port, which connects to the network switch for receiving control commands and transmitting data back. The conversion data terminal of the control converter has an RS485 serial port for serial data communication with the RF module of the vector network device under test. The conversion data terminal of the control converter has a CAN interface for CAN communication with the RF module of the vector network device under test. The conversion data terminal of the control converter has an SPI interface, which is reserved as a usable SPI communication interface. The conversion data terminal of the control converter has a GPIO port, which can be used as an independent I / O or as an analog communication interface.
[0015] The RF module of the vector network device under test is connected to a high-power programmable attenuator, which is then connected to a switching matrix.
[0016] Multiple testing instruments are included, such as a DC regulated power supply, a signal generator, a spectrum analyzer, a vector network analyzer, and a noise figure analyzer.
[0017] The RF module of the vector network device under test has a low-frequency connector, an external reference clock input, one local oscillator drive input, four down-conversion RF inputs, and two down-conversion intermediate frequency outputs.
[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0019] 1. The RF module of the vector network device can be directly connected to multiple test instruments simultaneously through a switch matrix. A control link is built through a control converter and a network switch. This enables the host computer to issue commands to the control converter, switch matrix, and various test instruments, facilitating automatic testing of multiple parameters and feedback to the host computer for recording. This reduces the tediousness and errors of cable replacement and improves the testing efficiency and accuracy of the RF module of the vector network device.
[0020] 2. The RF module of the vector network device under test has a low-frequency connector, an external reference clock input, one local oscillator drive input, four down-conversion RF inputs, and two down-conversion intermediate frequency outputs. The corresponding control converter has LAN port, RS485 serial port, CAN interface, SPI interface, GPIO interface, etc. The test instruments include DC regulated power supply, various signal sources, spectrum analyzer, vector network analyzer, noise figure analyzer, etc., which can well meet the test requirements of multiple indicators of the RF module of the vector network device under test.
[0021] 3. Adding a high-power programmable attenuator between the switching matrix and the RF module of the vector network device under test can accommodate both high- and low-power products and enhance the system's adaptability. Attached Figure Description
[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of this application.
[0023] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the preferred embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present utility model clearer, the implementation methods of the present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments described in the present utility model are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.
[0025] This application provides an automatic testing hardware system for the radio frequency module of a vector network device, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes a test host computer, network switch, control converter, switching matrix and multiple test instruments.
[0026] The control converter and the switching matrix are connected to the RF module of the vector network device under test; multiple test instruments are connected to the switching matrix; the network switch is connected to the control converter, the switching matrix, and multiple test instruments via Ethernet; and the host computer for testing is connected to the network switch via Ethernet.
[0027] The host computer is used to send control commands to the control converter, switching commands to the switch switching matrix, and test commands to each test instrument via the network switch. It is also used to receive and record the feedback data from the control converter, switch switching matrix, and each test instrument via the network switch.
[0028] The switching matrix is used to enable omnidirectional switching between each RF connector of the RF module of the vector network device under test and the port connectors of multiple test instruments according to the switching command.
[0029] The control converter is used to change the frequency and control the attenuation gain of the downconversion circuit of the RF module of the vector network device under test according to control commands.
[0030] Specifically, the host computer for the test is a computer.
[0031] Specifically, the network switch incorporates a high-performance gigabit Ethernet switching chip, supporting rapid network data exchange and featuring high performance, low power consumption, and stable reliability. It has physical addressing capabilities, ensuring that each stored and retrieved data has a unique memory address. It supports a bus-type network topology, offering a simple structure, high reliability, and easy expansion by adding or removing user ports. It features error checking, utilizing the network switch's store-and-forward switching method to completely copy data to a buffer for verification. It has frame sequencing capabilities, forwarding or discarding data based on frame marking, resulting in fast data exchange and low latency. It also features flow control, blocking input frames to congested ports to ensure normal operation of other ports and prevent packet loss and retransmissions.
[0032] Specifically, it is used to convert the communication control mode of the module under test (DUT) and supports bidirectional data communication transmission. The bus data terminal of the control converter is a LAN port, which connects to a network switch for receiving control commands and transmitting data back. The conversion data terminal of the control converter has an RS485 serial port for serial data communication with the RF module of the vector network device under test; a CAN interface for CAN communication with the RF module of the vector network device under test; an SPI interface reserved for future SPI communication; and GPIO ports for use as independent I / O or for analog communication interfaces. The control converter also has RS232, LVDS, and GTX interfaces on its conversion data terminal.
[0033] Specifically, the switching matrix is used to achieve full switching between each RF connector of the RF module of the vector network device under test and each port connector of the test equipment, satisfying the hardware connection conduction conditions for each test indicator. As an optional implementation, a switching matrix device with an 8*8 omnidirectional switching configuration is used, with 1.85 (K) type connectors on the device ports, and the operating frequency band covering the operating frequency band of the RF module of the vector network device under test. The switching isolation between ports of the switching matrix is greater than or equal to 70dB, the VSWR value of each port is better than 1.5, the maximum power handling capacity of each port is greater than 2W, the insertion loss of the unidirectional fully switched link is within the range of 3.5±0.5dB, and the inter-path insertion loss amplitude consistency is ±0.25dB. The switching time is less than or equal to 1ms.
[0034] In this example, the RF module of the vector network device under test achieves down-conversion of received signals under the control of the control converter. The module has a low-frequency connector, optionally using a 354187-E connector, which serves three main functions: power supply, communication, and software update. The power supply meets three sets of DC voltages. The communication circuit is designed with SPI, clock synchronization signals, and trigger signals. The underlying driver program of the FPGA inside the RF module of the vector network device under test can be updated online via the 354187-E connector.
[0035] The RF module of the vector network device under test has an external reference clock input. Specifically, it uses an external 50MHz reference clock, and the internal reference clock or external reference synchronization clock can be selected via software switching.
[0036] The RF module of the vector network device under test has one local oscillator drive input, four down-converted RF inputs, and two down-converted intermediate frequency (IF) outputs. Each pair of down-converted RF inputs is selected into one down-converted channel through a switching matrix for receiving and down-converting the RF signal to the IF, realizing the frequency conversion and gain conditioning of the RF signal. The four down-converted RF inputs form two independent down-converted channels. The external local oscillator drive signal of the one local oscillator drive input is used to drive the two down-converted IF outputs to the mixer through the amplification and power divider isolation circuit inside the RF module of the vector network device under test. The down-converted IF signal is obtained by down-converting the RF signal and the local oscillator drive signal and then gain conditioning.
[0037] Multiple test instruments are included, such as a DC regulated power supply, a signal generator, a spectrum analyzer, a vector network analyzer, and a noise figure analyzer. Optionally, multiple signal generators are available, including a first signal generator, a second signal generator, a third signal generator, etc.
[0038] The first signal source is a single-carrier output signal source capable of ultra-low phase noise output, with an output frequency band covering 10MHz to 1000MHz and an output power covering 0±10dBm, used to provide a reference clock signal. The second signal source is also a single-carrier output signal source capable of low phase noise output, with an output frequency band covering the operating frequency band of the RF module of the vector network device under test, and an output power covering an adjustable dynamic range between -110dBm and +10dBm, used to provide the RF module of the vector network device under test with the frequency band signal and adjustable power required for receiving downconversion. The third signal source is also a single-carrier output signal source capable of low phase noise output, with an output frequency band covering the operating frequency band of the RF module of the vector network device under test, and an output power covering an adjustable dynamic range between -20dBm and +10dBm, used to provide the RF module of the vector network device under test with the local oscillator drive signal required for receiving downconversion.
[0039] Optionally, the spectrum analyzer is a single-port input spectrum analyzer, whose operating frequency band covers the operating frequency band of the RF module of the vector network device under test. The dynamic test range meets -120dBm to +20dBm. It has a phase noise test option, which measures the quality of the received down-conversion signal, specifically the down-conversion output signal amplitude, leakage power amplitude, spurious suppression index, phase noise index, the operating frequency of the RF module of the vector network device under test, and calculates the down-conversion gain amplitude.
[0040] Optionally, the vector network analyzer is a dual-port vector network analyzer with frequency conversion function. Its operating frequency band covers the operating frequency band of the RF module of the vector network device under test. Its function is to measure the standing wave ratio of four down-converted RF inputs and two down-converted intermediate frequency outputs, measure the broadband gain flatness of the down-converted link, and determine the gain index at a specific operating frequency.
[0041] Preferably, based on the preceding embodiments, the RF module of the vector network device under test is connected to a high-power programmable attenuator, and the high-power programmable attenuator is connected to a switching matrix, such as... Figure 2 As shown, it can accommodate both high-power and low-power products, thereby enhancing the adaptability of the system in this example to the products under test.
[0042] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application.
Claims
1. An automatic testing hardware system for the radio frequency module of a vector network device, characterized in that, include: Control converters and switching matrix connected to the RF module of the vector network device under test; Multiple test instruments connected to the switch matrix; Network switches connected to control converters, switching matrices, and multiple test instruments; and The host computer for testing is connected to the network switch; The host computer is used to send control commands to the control converter, exchange commands to the switch switching matrix, and test commands to each test instrument through the network switch. It is also used to receive feedback data from the control converter, switch switching matrix, and each test instrument through the network switch. The switching matrix is used to realize omnidirectional switching between each RF connector of the RF module of the vector network device under test and the port connectors of multiple test instruments according to the switching command; The control converter is used to control the radio frequency module of the vector network device under test according to control commands.
2. The automatic testing hardware system for the radio frequency module of vector network equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching matrix adopts a switching matrix device that meets the 8*8 omnidirectional switching requirements.
3. The automatic testing hardware system for the radio frequency module of vector network equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The switching isolation between ports of the switching matrix is greater than or equal to 70dB, the VSWR value of each port is better than 1.5, the maximum power handling capacity of each port is greater than 2W, the insertion loss of the unidirectional fully switched link is in the range of 3.5±0.5dB, and the inter-path insertion loss amplitude is consistent with ±0.25dB.
4. The automatic testing hardware system for the radio frequency module of vector network equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bus data terminal of the control converter is a LAN port, which connects to the network switch for receiving control commands and transmitting data back. The conversion data terminal of the control converter has an RS485 serial port for serial data communication with the RF module of the vector network device under test. The conversion data terminal of the control converter has a CAN interface for CAN communication with the RF module of the vector network device under test. The conversion data terminal of the control converter has an SPI interface, which is reserved as a usable SPI communication interface. The conversion data terminal of the control converter has a GPIO port, which can be used as an independent I / O or as an analog communication interface.
5. The automatic testing hardware system for the radio frequency module of vector network equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The RF module of the vector network device under test is connected to a high-power programmable attenuator, which is then connected to a switching matrix.
6. The automatic testing hardware system for the radio frequency module of vector network equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple testing instruments are included, such as a DC regulated power supply, a signal generator, a spectrum analyzer, a vector network analyzer, and a noise figure analyzer.
7. The automatic testing hardware system for the radio frequency module of vector network equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, There are multiple signal sources, including: The first signal source has an output frequency band covering 10MHz to 1000MHz and an output power covering 0±10dBm, and is used to provide a reference clock signal. The second signal source has an output frequency band that covers the operating frequency band of the RF module of the vector network device under test, and an output power that covers an adjustable dynamic range between -110dBm and +10dBm. It is used to provide the RF module of the vector network device under test with the frequency band signal and adjustable power required for receiving downconversion. The third signal source has an output frequency band that covers the operating frequency band of the RF module of the vector network device under test, and an output power that covers an adjustable dynamic range between -20dBm and +10dBm. It is used to provide the local oscillator drive signal required for the RF module of the vector network device under test to receive downconversion.
8. The automatic testing hardware system for the radio frequency module of vector network equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The RF module of the vector network device under test has a low-frequency connector and an external reference clock input.
9. The automatic testing hardware system for the radio frequency module of a vector network device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The low-frequency connector is the 354187-E connector.
10. The automatic testing hardware system for the radio frequency module of a vector network device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The RF module of the vector network device under test has one local oscillator drive input, four down-converted RF inputs, and two down-converted intermediate frequency outputs; each pair of down-converted RF inputs is selected by a switching matrix to form one down-converted channel for receiving and down-converting to intermediate frequency, thus forming two independent down-converted channels; An external local oscillator drive signal, which is one local oscillator drive input, is used to drive the mixer local oscillator for the two down-converter intermediate frequency outputs respectively.