Mobile terminal test device and mobile terminal test method

The mobile terminal testing device optimizes measurement time by measuring signal level changes and estimating beam selection process times, reducing wait times through dynamic calculation and storage for repeated tests.

JP2025122408AActive Publication Date: 2025-08-21ANRITSU CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024017862
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-02-08
Publication Date
2025-08-21
Estimated Expiration
2044-02-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing mobile terminal testing devices require a fixed wait time for beam selection processes, increasing measurement time due to angle and signal setting changes, with no clear method to determine the optimal wait time.

Method used

A mobile terminal testing device that includes a positioner with azimuth and roll axes, a dummy measurement device, and an integrated control unit to measure signal level changes over time, estimate beam selection process time, and calculate wait times based on these measurements, storing the wait times for future use.

Benefits of technology

Reduces the overall measurement time by dynamically determining and storing wait times for beam selection processes, optimizing the testing process for repeated measurements.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a mobile terminal test device that can reduce the time required for measurement.SOLUTION: A mobile terminal test device is equipped with a Wait time analysis control unit 18c that measures the change in signal level over time multiple times by changing multiple angles, the number of measurements, and the signal settings, estimates the time of the beam selection process on the basis of the measurement results, calculates the Wait time from the estimated beam selection process time, and stores it in the Wait time management table 16b in association with the corresponding DUT 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile terminal testing device that tests a mobile terminal by exchanging signals while changing the angle of a positioner on which the mobile terminal is installed in an OTA (Over The Air) environment. [Background technology]

[0002] For wireless terminals that transmit and receive wireless signals compatible with IEEE802.11ad and 5G cellular, which use wideband signals in the millimeter wave band and have been developed in recent years, performance tests are conducted on the wireless communication antennas equipped on the wireless terminals to measure the output level and receiving sensitivity of the transmitted radio waves specified for each communication standard and determine whether they meet the specified standards.

[0003] For example, in a performance test using a wireless terminal (hereinafter referred to as a "5G wireless terminal") for the New Radio System (NR) of the fifth generation mobile communication system (hereinafter referred to as "5G") as the device under test (DUT), an OTA test is conducted using an anechoic box (OTA chamber) called a Compact Antenna Test Range (hereinafter referred to as "CATR"), which is not affected by the surrounding radio wave environment.

[0004] One example of a conventional wireless terminal measurement device capable of performing OTA testing is one that rotates the wireless terminal around a reference point within a measurement space such as an anechoic box or anechoic chamber, receives radio waves transmitted from the wireless terminal with a measurement antenna, and determines the radiated power characteristics of the wireless terminal (equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP), equivalent isotropic sensitivity (EIS), total radiated power (TRP), etc.) from the received signal.

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes a technique for displaying the progress of measurement at each measurement position when measuring a DUT that is rotated so as to face all directions of a spherical coordinate system in an OTA environment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7227198 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project), when there is a change in the measurement angle or signal settings, a wait time is required for the beam selection process.

[0008] In 3GPP, BEAM_SELECT_WAIT_TIME = 3 sec is applied as the default wait time.

[0009] For this reason, a wait time is applied every time the measurement angle or signal settings are changed, which causes the measurement time to increase.

[0010] According to the measurement standard, if the time for the beam selection process is known, the wait time may be shortened, but there is no indication of how to know the time for the beam selection process.

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal test device that can reduce the time required for measurement by setting the wait time from the actually measured time of the beam selection process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The mobile terminal testing device of the present invention includes a positioner (56) that is installed in an internal space (51) of an anechoic box (50), has an azimuth axis and a roll axis that can be rotated by drive motors (56f, 56g), and rotates the object under test so that the object faces a plurality of preset angle sample points of the spherical coordinate system, with the center of the spherical coordinate system as a reference point; a dummy measurement device (20) connected to a test antenna (5) in the internal space; and an integrated control device (10) that controls the dummy measurement device to perform a measurement operation at each measurement position corresponding to each of the plurality of angle sample points, the measurement operation transmitting a test signal from the test antenna to the mobile terminal (100) under test, causing the test antenna to receive a measured signal transmitted from the mobile terminal that has received the test signal, and measuring a specific measurement item related to the mobile terminal based on the received measured signal; and the integrated control device (10) that measures a change in the signal level of the measured signal over time when at least the measurement position of the mobile terminal is changed multiple times, estimating the time of the beam selection process based on the measurement results, and measuring the estimated beam selection. and a wait time analysis control unit (18c) that calculates the wait time from the process time.

[0013] With this configuration, the change in the signal level of the signal under test over time when the mobile terminal changes its measurement position is measured multiple times, the beam selection process time is estimated based on the measurement results, and the wait time is calculated from the estimated beam selection process time, which reduces the time required for measurement.

[0014] Furthermore, in the mobile terminal testing device of the present invention, the Waittime analysis control unit further measures the change in the signal level of the signal under test over time when the signal under test is changed multiple times, and estimates the time for the beam selection process based on the measurement results when the measurement position is changed and the measurement results when the signal under test is changed.

[0015] With this configuration, the change in the signal level of the signal under test over time when the signal under test is changed is measured multiple times, and the time for the beam selection process is estimated based on the measurement results when the measurement position is changed and the measurement results when the signal under test is changed, thereby reducing the time required for measurement.

[0016] In the mobile terminal test device of the present invention, the Wait time analysis control section stores the obtained Wait time in association with the corresponding mobile terminal.

[0017] With this configuration, the determined Wait time is stored in association with the corresponding mobile terminal, so that when the same mobile terminal is measured again, an appropriate Wait time is set, thereby reducing the time required for measurement.

[0018] The mobile terminal testing method of the present invention is a mobile terminal testing method for a mobile terminal testing device including: a positioner (56) provided in an internal space (51) of an anechoic box (50), having an azimuth axis and a roll axis that can be rotated by drive motors (56f, 56g), and rotating a test object so that the test object faces a plurality of preset angle sample points of a spherical coordinate system with the center of the spherical coordinate system as a reference point; a dummy measurement device (20) connected to a test antenna (5) in the internal space; and an integrated control device (10) that controls the dummy measurement device to perform a measurement operation at each measurement position corresponding to each of the plurality of angle sample points, the measurement operation transmitting a test signal from the test antenna to the mobile terminal (100) that is the test object, causing the test antenna to receive a measured signal transmitted from the mobile terminal that has received the test signal, and measuring a specific measurement item related to the mobile terminal based on the received measured signal, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a change in signal level of the measured signal over time multiple times when at least the measurement position of the mobile terminal is changed; and determining a beam position based on the measurement results. The method comprises a step of estimating the time for the selection process, and a step of calculating the wait time from the estimated time for the beam selection process.

[0019] With this configuration, the change in the signal level of the signal under test over time when the mobile terminal changes its measurement position is measured multiple times, the beam selection process time is estimated based on the measurement results, and the wait time is calculated from the estimated beam selection process time, which reduces the time required for measurement. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] The present invention can provide a mobile terminal test device that can reduce the time required for measurement. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the entire measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a measurement device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an integrated control device and its controlled system elements of a measurement device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an NR system simulator in a measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a full spherical scan image of a DUT in an OTA chamber of a measurement device according to one embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows the arrangement of the DUT relative to the center of a spherical coordinate system, and (b) shows the distribution of angle sample points PS in the spherical coordinate system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the test antenna 5 in the OTA chamber of the measurement device according to one embodiment of the present invention, using the spherical coordinate system (r, θ, φ) shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an image of rotational drive around the azimuth axis and roll axis of a two-axis positioner for full spherical scanning of a DUT in a measurement apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of changes in signal level over time at a plurality of measurement positions of a measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the measurement control operation when measuring the time of the beam selection process of the measurement apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, a measurement device serving as a mobile terminal test device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0023] First, the configuration of a measurement device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4. The measurement device 1 constitutes a mobile terminal test device of the present invention. The measurement device 1 according to this embodiment has an overall external structure as shown in Fig. 1, and is composed of functional blocks as shown in Fig. 2. Figs. 1 and 2 show the arrangement of each component of an OTA chamber 50 as seen through from the side.

[0024] The measurement device 1 is operated, for example, in a state in which the above-mentioned components are mounted on each rack 90a of a rack structure 90 having the structure shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows an example in which an integrated control device 10, an NR system simulator 20, and an OTA chamber 50 are mounted on each rack 90a of the rack structure 90.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the measurement device 1 includes an integrated control device 10, an NR system simulator 20, a signal processing unit 23, and an OTA chamber 50.

[0026] These components will be described starting with the OTA chamber 50. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the OTA chamber 50 is configured, for example, by a metal housing main body 52 having a rectangular parallelepiped internal space 51, and the internal space 51 accommodates a DUT 100 having an antenna 110, a test antenna 5, a reflector 7, and a DUT scanning mechanism 56.

[0027] A radio wave absorber 55 is attached to the entire inner surface of the OTA chamber 50, that is, the entire bottom surface 52a, side surfaces 52b, and top surface 52c of the housing main body 52. ​​This strengthens the function of the OTA chamber 50 to restrict the intrusion of radio waves from the outside and the emission of radio waves to the outside of each element (DUT 100, test antenna 5, reflector 7, DUT scanning mechanism 56) arranged in the internal space 51. In this way, the OTA chamber 50 realizes an anechoic type anechoic box having an internal space 51 that is not affected by the surrounding radio wave environment. The anechoic type anechoic box used in this embodiment is, for example, an anechoic type.

[0028] Among the components accommodated in the internal space 51 of the OTA chamber 50, the DUT 100 is a wireless terminal such as a smartphone. Communication standards for the DUT 100 include cellular (LTE, LTE-A, W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, 1xEV-DO, TD-SCDMA, etc.), wireless LAN (IEEE802.11b / g / a / n / ac / ad, etc.), Bluetooth (registered trademark), GNSS (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, etc.), FM, and digital broadcasting (DVB-H, ISDB-T, etc.). The DUT 100 may also be a wireless terminal that transmits and receives millimeter-wave band wireless signals compatible with IEEE802.11ad, 5G cellular, etc.

[0029] In this embodiment, the antenna 110 of the DUT 100 uses a radio signal in a specified frequency band that complies with, for example, the LTE or 5G NR communication standard. The DUT 100 constitutes a mobile terminal under test in the present invention.

[0030] In the internal space 51 of the OTA chamber 50, the DUT 100 is held by a part of the DUT scanning mechanism 56. The DUT scanning mechanism 56 is provided extending in the vertical direction on the bottom surface 52a of the housing main body 52 in the internal space 51 of the OTA chamber 50. The DUT scanning mechanism 56 holds the DUT 100 for which a performance test is to be performed, and performs a full spherical scan (see FIGS. 5 and 6) of the DUT 100, which will be described later.

[0031] 1, the DUT scanning mechanism 56 has a turntable 56a, a support member 56b, a DUT mounting section 56c, and a drive section 56e. The turntable 56a is made up of a disk-shaped plate member and is configured to rotate around an azimuth axis (a rotation axis in the vertical direction) (see FIGS. 3 and 7). The support member 56b is made up of a columnar member arranged so as to extend vertically on the plate surface of the turntable 56a.

[0032] The DUT placement section 56c is disposed parallel to the turntable 56a near the upper end of the support member 56b, and has a placement tray 56d on which the DUT 100 is placed. The DUT placement section 56c has a configuration (see FIGS. 3 and 7) that allows it to rotate around a roll axis (a horizontal rotation axis).

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the drive unit 56e includes a drive motor 56f that rotates the azimuth axis and a drive motor 56g that rotates the roll axis. The drive unit 56e is configured as a two-axis positioner equipped with a mechanism that rotates the azimuth axis and the roll axis around their respective axes using the drive motors 56f and 56g. In this way, the drive unit 56e can rotate the DUT 100 placed on the loading tray 56d along two axes (the azimuth axis and the roll axis) together with the loading tray 56d. Hereinafter, the entire DUT scanning mechanism 56 including the drive unit 56e may be referred to as a two-axis positioner (see FIG. 3).

[0034] The DUT scanning mechanism (two-axis positioner) 56 performs full spherical scanning by sequentially changing the attitude of the DUT 100 so that the antenna 110 faces all directions (a plurality of preset directions) on the surface of the sphere, assuming that the DUT 100 placed (held) on the placement tray 56d is placed at the center O1 of the sphere (see sphere B in FIG. 5). The DUT scanning by the DUT scanning mechanism 56 is controlled by a DUT scanning control unit 16, which will be described later. The DUT scanning mechanism 56 constitutes the positioner of the present invention.

[0035] The test antenna 5 is attached to a required position on the bottom surface 52a of the housing main body 52 of the OTA chamber 50 using an appropriate holder (not shown). The attachment position of the test antenna 5 is such that it can be seen through the reflector 7 via an opening 67a provided in the bottom surface 52a. The test antenna 5 uses a radio signal in the same specified frequency band (NR standard) as the antenna 110 of the DUT 100.

[0036] When performing measurements related to the NR of the DUT 100 in the OTA chamber 50, the test antenna 5 transmits a test signal from the NR system simulator 20 to the DUT 100 and receives a signal under test transmitted from the DUT 100 that has received the test signal. The test antenna 5 is positioned so that its light-receiving surface is at the focal position F of the reflector 7. Note that if the test antenna 5 can be positioned so that its light-receiving surface faces the DUT 100 and can receive light appropriately, the reflector 7 is not necessarily required.

[0037] The reflector 7 is attached to a required position on the side surface 52b of the OTA chamber 50 using a reflector holder 58. The reflector 7 provides a radio wave path that returns the radio signals (test signal and signal under measurement) transmitted and received by the antenna 110 of the DUT 100 to the light-receiving surface of the test antenna 5.

[0038] Next, the configurations of the integrated control device 10 and the NR system simulator 20 will be described. 2, the integrated control device 10 is connected to the NR system simulator 20 via a network 19 such as Ethernet (registered trademark) so that they can communicate with each other. The integrated control device 10 is also connected via the network 19 to controlled elements in the OTA chamber 50, such as the DUT scan control unit 16.

[0039] The integrated control device 10 controls the NR system simulator 20 and the DUT scan control unit 16 in an integrated manner via a network 19, and is configured, for example, by a personal computer (PC). The DUT scan control unit 16 may be provided independently in association with the OTA chamber 50 (see FIG. 2), or may be provided in the integrated control device 10 as shown in FIG. 3. In the following description, the integrated control device 10 will be described as having the configuration shown in FIG. 3.

[0040] 3, the integrated control device 10 has a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, and a display unit 13. The control unit 11 is configured by, for example, a computer device. This computer device has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a that performs predetermined information processing to realize the functions of the measurement device 1 and overall control of the NR system simulator 20 and the DUT scan control unit 16, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11b that stores an OS (Operating System) for starting up the CPU 11a, other programs, and control parameters, etc., a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11c that stores the OS and application execution code and data used by the CPU 11a for operation, an external I / F unit 11d, an input / output port (not shown), etc.

[0041] The external I / F unit 11d is communicably connected to the NR system simulator 20 and the drive unit 56e of the DUT scanning mechanism (two-axis positioner) 56 via a network 19. The input / output port is connected to an operation unit 12 and a display unit 13. The operation unit 12 is a functional unit for inputting various information such as commands, and the display unit 13 is a functional unit for displaying various information such as an input screen for the above various information and measurement results.

[0042] The computer device described above functions as the control unit 11 when the CPU 11a executes a program stored in the ROM 11b using the RAM 11c as a work area. As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 11 has a call connection control unit 14, a signal transmission / reception control unit 15, a DUT scanning control unit 16, a signal analysis control unit 17, a setting control unit 18a, a rotation speed management control unit 18b, and a wait time analysis control unit 18c. The call connection control unit 14, the signal transmission / reception control unit 15, the DUT scanning control unit 16, the signal analysis control unit 17, the setting control unit 18a, the rotation speed management control unit 18b, and the wait time analysis control unit 18c are also realized when the CPU 11a executes a predetermined program stored in the ROM 11b using the work area of ​​the RAM 11c.

[0043] The call connection control unit 14 controls the establishment of a call (a state in which radio signals can be sent and received) between the NR system simulator 20 and the DUT 100 by driving the test antenna 5 via the NR system simulator 20 and the signal processing unit 23 to send and receive control signals (radio signals) between the NR system simulator 20 and the DUT 100.

[0044] The signal transmission / reception control unit 15 monitors user operations on the operation unit 12, and when the user performs a predetermined measurement start operation for measuring the transmission and reception characteristics of the DUT 100, it sends a signal transmission command to the NR system simulator 20 after the call is established by call connection control, controlling the NR system simulator 20 to transmit a test signal via the test antenna 5, and sends a signal reception command to control the NR system simulator 20 to receive the measured signal via the test antenna 5.

[0045] The DUT scanning control section 16 controls the driving of the drive motors 56f and 56g of the DUT scanning mechanism 56, thereby causing full spherical scanning of the DUT 100 placed on the placement tray 56d of the DUT placement section 56c.

[0046] Here, the full spherical scanning of the DUT 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. Generally, two methods are known for measuring the power of a signal radiated by the DUT 100 (radiated power measurement): measuring the equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) and measuring the total radiated power (TRP). The EIRP is, for example, a power value measured at each measurement point (θ, φ) in the spherical coordinate system (r, θ, φ) shown in FIG. 5(a). In contrast, the TRP is the sum of the EIRP measured in all directions of the spherical coordinate system (r, θ, φ), i.e., at a number of predetermined angular sample points PS (see FIG. 5(b)) on the spherical surface equidistant from the center O1 (hereinafter referred to as the reference point) of the full spherical scanning of the DUT 100.

[0047] Regarding receiver sensitivity measurement, it is known to measure EIS (equivalent isotropic sensitivity). EIS is the receiver sensitivity value measured at each measurement point (θ, φ) in the spherical coordinate system (r, θ, φ) shown in Figure 5(a).

[0048] Full spherical scanning of the DUT 100 refers to a control operation in which the attitude of the DUT 100 placed on the loading tray 56d is sequentially changed, for example, with the center O1 of the sphere B (see Figure 5) as the reference (center), so that the antenna 110 faces all directions on the surface of the sphere B, i.e., the angle sampling point PS.

[0049] In order to measure the EIRP or EIS at each angle sample point PS in accordance with the full spherical scan of the DUT 100, a test antenna 5 for receiving a signal radiated by the DUT 100 is placed at the position of a specific angle sample point PS (one point) in the spherical coordinate system (r, θ, φ) as shown in FIG. 6.

[0050] In the full spherical scan, the DUT 100 is driven (scanned) so that the antenna surface of the antenna 110 is sequentially directed toward the light receiving surface of the test antenna 5. This enables the test antenna 5 to transmit and receive signals for TRP measurement between the antenna 110 of the DUT 100 undergoing the full spherical scan. The signals transmitted and received here are a test signal transmitted from the NR system simulator 20 via the test antenna 5 and a signal transmitted from the antenna 110 by the DUT 100 that has received the test signal, which is a signal under test received via the test antenna 5.

[0051] Full spherical scanning of the DUT 100 is achieved by rotationally driving the azimuth axis and the roll axis using drive motors 56f and 56g that constitute the DUT scanning mechanism 56. An image of rotational drive around the azimuth axis and the roll axis of the DUT scanning mechanism (two-axis positioner) 56 involved in full spherical scanning of the DUT 100 in the measurement apparatus 1 is shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the DUT scanning mechanism 56 of the measurement apparatus 1 according to this embodiment moves the azimuth axis around its center in an angular direction of φ within a range of, for example, 180 degrees, while moving the roll axis around its center in an angular direction of θ within a range of, for example, 360 degrees, thereby enabling full spherical scanning (see FIGS. 5 and 6) in which the DUT 100 rotates in all directions around its center O1.

[0052] In Figure 7, φ0 indicates a unit movement angle within the total movement angle (180 degrees) in the rotation direction of the azimuth axis (angle direction of φ), and θ0 indicates a unit movement angle (hereinafter referred to as step angle) within the total movement angle (360 degrees) in the rotation direction of the roll axis (angle direction of θ). φ0 and θ0 can be selectively set to desired step angles, for example, from among a plurality of different step angle values ​​defined in advance. The set φ0 and θ0 define the angle between adjacent angle sample points PS shown in Figure 5(b), and as a result, define the number of angle sample points PS, i.e., measurement positions.

[0053] In order to realize the control of the full spherical scan of the DUT 100 by the DUT scan control unit 16, for example, a DUT scan control table 16a is prepared in advance in the ROM 11b. The DUT scan control table 16a stores, for example, the coordinates of each angle sample point PS (see FIG. 5(b)) in a spherical coordinate system (see FIG. 5(a)) related to the full spherical scan of the DUT 100, drive data of the drive motors 56f and 56g associated with the coordinates of each angle sample point PS, and control data associating the stop time (measurement time) at each angle sample point PS. If the drive motors 56f and 56g are, for example, stepping motors, the number of drive pulses, for example, is stored as the drive data.

[0054] ROM 11b also contains a rotation speed management table for managing the rotation speeds of drive motor 56f and drive motor 56g of DUT scanning mechanism 56. This rotation speed management table manages the rotation speed of drive motor 56g that rotates the roll axis, more specifically, the rotation speed of drive motor 56g when DUT scanning mechanism 56 is rotated for each step angle.

[0055] Here, the step angle, as explained with reference to FIG. 5, represents the angle between adjacent angle sample points PS (see FIG. 5(b)) in a spherical coordinate system (see FIG. 5(a)) associated with full spherical scanning. The angle sample points PS correspond to measurement positions of the DUT 100, and the number of angle sample points PS can be appropriately variably set according to the measurement item, measurement conditions, etc. In other words, the unit step angle defines the angle between adjacent measurement positions and can be varied according to the measurement item, measurement conditions, etc. In the DUT scanning mechanism 56 according to this embodiment, the step angle θ (see FIG. 7) of the roll axis of the drive motor 56g can be selectively set to, for example, 1 degree (deg), 3 degrees, 5 degrees, 7.5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, or 90 degrees.

[0056] Instead of this, instead of the rotation speed management table (first rotation speed management table), a second rotation speed management table may be provided which manages the rotation speed of the drive motor 56f that can minimize the movement time of the DUT scanning mechanism 56 in each step section corresponding to each step angle (corresponding to φ in Figure 7) of the azimuth axis, for example, 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, and 30 degrees.

[0057] Furthermore, instead of the first rotational speed management table and the second rotational speed management table, a third rotational speed management table may be employed that manages the rotational speeds of drive motor 56g and drive motor 56f that can minimize the movement time in each step section of DUT scanning mechanism 56 in response to each step angle θ of the roll axis and each step angle φ of the azimuth axis, respectively.

[0058] The DUT scan control unit 16 loads the DUT scan control table 16a into the working area of ​​the RAM 11c, and drives and controls the drive motors 56f and 56g of the DUT scanning mechanism 56 based on the control data stored in the DUT scan control table 16a. This allows full spherical scanning of the DUT 100 placed on the DUT placement unit 56c. In full spherical scanning, the antenna face of the antenna 110 of the DUT 100 faces each angle sample point PS in the spherical coordinate system, stops for a specified time (the above-mentioned stopping time), and then moves to the next angle sample point PS (scanning of the DUT 100). This operation is performed sequentially for all angle sample points PS.

[0059] In addition, the DUT scanning control unit 16 controls the rotational speed of the drive motor 56g, which is involved in the movement of the DUT scanning mechanism 56 for each step angle θ of the roll axis, using a rotational speed management table under the control of the rotational speed management control unit 18b, which will be described later, in accordance with the full spherical scanning of the DUT scanning mechanism 56 using the DUT scanning control table 16a.

[0060] The signal analysis control unit 17 captures the NR-related radio signals received by the test antenna 5 during full spherical scanning of the DUT 100 via the NR system simulator 20 and analyzes (measures) them as signals for specific measurement items.

[0061] The setting control unit 18a is a functional unit that sets various information required for the DUT scan control unit 16 to control the rotation speed of the drive motor 56f using the rotation speed management table. When measuring a specific measurement item, the setting control unit 18a is capable of selectively setting a desired step angle value from among a plurality of different step angles (θ, φ), such as 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, and 30 degrees.

[0062] For example, during TRP measurement, the rotational speed management control unit 18b uses a rotational speed management table to control the rotational speed of the drive motor 56f, which is involved in the movement of the DUT scanning mechanism 56 for each step angle θ of the roll axis, in cooperation with the DUT scanning control unit 16, in accordance with the full spherical scanning of the DUT scanning mechanism 56.

[0063] The wait time analysis control unit 18c changes a plurality of angles, the number of measurements, and the signal settings, acquires measurement results over time, estimates the time of the beam selection process from the actually measured time, and sets the wait time.

[0064] For this purpose, the wait time analysis control unit 18c includes a test condition setting unit 18d, a DUT signal level measuring unit 18e, a measurement result recording unit 18f, and a beam selection process time estimating unit 18g.

[0065] The test condition setting unit 18d sets test conditions such as the number of positions to be measured, the number of measurements, and the content of changes to the signal settings.

[0066] The DUT signal level measuring section 18e measures the signal level from the DUT 100 over time.

[0067] The measurement result recording unit 18f records the measurement results measured by the DUT signal level measuring unit 18e.

[0068] The beam selection process time estimation unit 18g estimates the time of the beam selection process based on the measurement results recorded in the measurement result recording unit 18f.

[0069] When the measurement results at multiple measurement positions are, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the waittime analysis control unit 18c estimates the time for the beam selection process to be 2 seconds, based on "Position C," which has the slowest rise in signal level.

[0070] The wait time analysis control unit 18c adds a margin to the estimated time of the beam selection process, for example, and sets the result as the wait time for each measurement.

[0071] The wait time analysis control unit 18c also stores the calculated wait time for each DUT 100 in the wait time management table 16b in the RAM 11c, making it possible to call it up.

[0072] Moreover, the wait time analysis control unit 18c is capable of resetting the newly calculated wait time in the wait time management table 16b.

[0073] 4, the NR system simulator 20 includes a signal generating unit 21a, a signal measuring unit 21b, a transmitting / receiving unit 21c, a control unit 21d, an operation unit 21e, and a display unit 21f. The NR system simulator 20 constitutes a simulation measurement device of the present invention.

[0074] The signal generating unit 21a generates a signal (baseband signal) that is the source of the test signal. The transmitting / receiving unit 21c generates a test signal corresponding to the frequency of each communication standard from the signal generated by the signal generating unit 21a and sends it to the signal processing unit 23, and also functions as an RF unit that restores a baseband signal from the signal under measurement sent from the signal processing unit 23. The signal measuring unit 21b performs measurement processing of the signal under measurement based on the baseband signal restored by the transmitting / receiving unit 21c.

[0075] The control unit 21d comprehensively controls the functional units, namely, the signal generating unit 21a, the signal measuring unit 21b, the transmitting / receiving unit 21c, the operation unit 21e, and the display unit 21f. The operation unit 21e is a functional unit for inputting various information such as commands, and the display unit 21f is a functional unit for displaying various information such as input screens for various information and measurement results.

[0076] In the measurement device 1 having the above-described configuration, the DUT 100 is placed on the loading tray 56d of the DUT scanning mechanism (two-axis positioner) 56 within the internal space 51 of the OTA chamber 50, and the DUT 100 is moved (rotated) along the loading tray 56d in two axial directions (azimuth axis and roll axis) by a predetermined step angle, thereby making it possible to measure specific measurement items such as EIRP at each measurement position and TRP across all measurement positions.

[0077] The measurement control operation when measuring the time of the beam selection process by the integrated control device 10 for setting the Wait time of the measurement device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0078] In step S1, the wait time analysis control unit 18c changes the position of the DUT 100 and measures the change in signal level over time. After executing the process of step S1, the wait time analysis control unit 18c executes the process of step S2.

[0079] In step S2, the wait time analysis control unit 18c changes the signal and measures the change in the signal level over time. After executing the process of step S2, the wait time analysis control unit 18c executes the process of step S3.

[0080] In step S3, the Waittime analysis control unit 18c determines whether or not measurements have been taken the specified number of times.

[0081] If it is determined that the measurement has been performed the specified number of times, the Waittime analysis control unit 18c executes the process of step S4. If it is determined that the measurement has not been performed the specified number of times, the Waittime analysis control unit 18c executes the process of step S1.

[0082] In step S4, the Wait time analysis control unit 18c determines whether or not there are any remaining positions that have not yet been measured.

[0083] If it is determined that there is a remaining position, the Wait time analysis control unit 18c executes the process of step S1. If it is determined that there is no remaining position, the Wait time analysis control unit 18c executes the process of step S5.

[0084] In step S5, the wait time analysis control unit 18c estimates the time for the beam selection process based on the measurement results. After executing the process of step S5, the wait time analysis control unit 18c executes the process of step S6.

[0085] In step S6, the wait time analysis control unit 18c calculates the wait time from the estimated time of the beam selection process, sets it to be used for measurement, and stores it in the wait time management table 16b in association with the DUT 100. After executing the process of step S6, the wait time analysis control unit 18c ends the measurement control operation.

[0086] The process of determining the wait time may be performed in conjunction with normal measurement.

[0087] In this way, the above-described embodiment is provided with a Wait time analysis control unit 18c that measures the change in signal level over time multiple times by changing multiple angles, the number of measurements, and the signal settings, estimates the time of the beam selection process based on the measurement results, and calculates the Wait time from the estimated time of the beam selection process.

[0088] This allows multiple angles, measurement times, and signal settings to be changed, measurement results over time to be obtained, the beam selection process time to be estimated from the actual measurement time, and the wait time to be set, thereby reducing the time required for measurement.

[0089] Moreover, the wait time analysis control unit 18c associates the obtained wait time with the corresponding DUT 100 and stores it in the wait time management table 16b.

[0090] As a result, when the same DUT 100 is measured again, an appropriate wait time is set, thereby reducing the time required for measurement.

[0091] While an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be included in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1. Measuring equipment (mobile terminal test equipment) 5 Test antenna 10 Integrated control device 16 DUT scanning control section 16b Waittime management table 18c Waittime analysis control section 18d Test condition setting section 18e DUT signal level measurement section 18f Measurement result recording section 18g Beam selection process time estimation part 20 NR system simulator (simulated measurement device) 50 OTA chamber (electromagnetic anechoic box) 51 Interior Space 56 DUT scanning mechanism (positioner) 56f, 56g drive motor 100 DUTs (Mobile Terminals)

Claims

1. a positioner (56) provided in the internal space (51) of the anechoic box (50), having an azimuth axis and a roll axis that can be rotated by drive motors (56f, 56g), and rotating the test object so that the test object faces a plurality of preset angular sample points of a spherical coordinate system, with the center of the spherical coordinate system as a reference point; a simulation measurement device (20) connected to a test antenna (5) in the interior space; an integrated control device (10) that controls the simulation measurement device to transmit a test signal from the test antenna to the mobile terminal (100) under test, cause the test antenna to receive a measurement signal transmitted from the mobile terminal that has received the test signal, and measure specific measurement items related to the mobile terminal based on the received measurement signal, at each measurement position corresponding to each of the plurality of angle sample points; and a Wait time analysis control unit (18c) that measures the change in the signal level of the signal under test over time when at least the measurement position of the mobile terminal is changed multiple times, estimates the time of the beam selection process based on the measurement results, and calculates the Wait time from the estimated time of the beam selection process.

2. 2. The mobile terminal testing device according to claim 1, wherein the wait time analysis control unit further measures a change in the signal level of the signal under test over time when the signal under test is changed a plurality of times, and estimates the time for the beam selection process based on the measurement results when the measurement position is changed and the measurement results when the signal under test is changed.

3. 3. The mobile terminal testing device according to claim 1, wherein the wait time analysis control unit stores the obtained wait time in association with the corresponding mobile terminal.

4. a positioner (56) provided in the internal space (51) of the anechoic box (50), having an azimuth axis and a roll axis that can be rotated by drive motors (56f, 56g), and rotating the test object so that the test object faces a plurality of preset angular sample points of a spherical coordinate system, with the center of the spherical coordinate system as a reference point; a simulation measurement device (20) connected to a test antenna (5) in the interior space; and an integrated control device (10) that controls the simulating measurement device to perform a measurement operation at each measurement position corresponding to each of the plurality of angle sampling points, the operation transmitting a test signal from the test antenna to the mobile terminal (100) that is the test subject, causing the test antenna to receive a measurement signal transmitted from the mobile terminal that has received the test signal, and measuring a specific measurement item related to the mobile terminal based on the received measurement signal, measuring a change in the signal level of the signal under test over time multiple times when at least the measurement position of the mobile terminal is changed; estimating the time of the beam selection process based on the measurement results; and determining a wait time from the estimated beam selection process time.

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