Emulator system and method for satellite communications

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an emulator system and an emulation method for satellite communication.SOLUTION: An emulation method comprises: providing a first antenna array which comprises a plurality of antenna units arranged along a first direction; mounting a device under test on a virtual plane by a jig; enabling a first beam by the first antenna array; directing the first beam to the device under test at a default angle of incidence; transmitting a first signal to the device under test via the first beam and receiving a second signal corresponding to the first signal from the device under test; calculating a phase difference value based on the second signal; determining whether the device under test passes the test based on the phase difference value and a threshold to generate a test result; and outputting the test result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to wireless communication methods, and more particularly to emulator systems and methods for satellite communications. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite systems are being launched. Thanks to LEO systems, devices on Earth can communicate with each other regardless of distance. However, it is important that devices on the market can function properly, i.e., be able to communicate with LEO satellites. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The present invention relates to an emulator system and method for emulating satellite communications, the invention being suitable for a device under test (DUT). [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The present invention relates to an emulator system for satellite communications. The emulator system is suitable for a device under test. The emulator system includes a first antenna array, a jig, and a controller. The first antenna array includes a plurality of antenna units arranged along a first direction. The jig is used to mount the device under test on a virtual plane. The controller is communicatively connected to the first antenna array and is configured to: enable a first beam by the first antenna array; direct the first beam toward the device under test at a default incident angle; transmit a first signal to the device under test via the first beam and receive a second signal corresponding to the first signal from the device under test; calculate a phase difference value based on the second signal; determine whether the device under test passes a test based on the phase difference value and a threshold value, generate a test result, and output the test result.

[0005] In one embodiment of the invention, the projection of the first antenna array onto the imaginary plane overlaps with the jig.

[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, the projection of the first antenna array onto the imaginary plane does not overlap with the jig.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller enables a second beam with the first antenna array, different from the first beam, and communicates with the device under test via the second beam to generate test results.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the emulator system further includes a second antenna array, the second antenna array including a plurality of antenna units arranged along a second direction, the second antenna array communicatively connected to a controller, and the controller enabling a first beam by the first antenna array and the second antenna array.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the emulator system further includes a second antenna array, the second antenna array including a plurality of antenna units arranged along a second direction, the second antenna array communicatively connected to a controller, the controller enabling a second beam by the second antenna array, communicating with the device under test via the second beam, and generating test results.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first antenna array further includes a phase shifter electrically connected to the first antenna unit of the plurality of antenna units, and the controller performs a phase shift on the second signal by the phase shifter to obtain a shifted signal, and calculates a phase difference value based on the shifted signal.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller further receives a calibration signal from the device under test, compensates the shifted signal based on the calibration signal, and calculates the value of the phase difference.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller adjusts the simulated altitude of an emulated satellite for satellite communications by adjusting the signal strength of a first beam.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the controller adjusts the simulated angle of incidence by adjusting the default angle of incidence based on the simulated altitude.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the jig is a movable object and is electrically connected to a controller, which configures the jig so that the imaginary plane has six degrees of freedom.

[0015] The present invention relates to a method for emulating satellite communications, which is suitable for a device under test. The emulation method includes: providing a first antenna array including a plurality of antenna units arranged along a first direction; mounting the device under test on an imaginary plane using a jig; enabling a first beam using the first antenna array; directing the first beam toward the device under test at a default incident angle; transmitting a first signal to the device under test via the first beam and receiving a second signal corresponding to the first signal from the device under test; calculating a phase difference value based on the second signal; determining whether the device under test passes a test based on the phase difference value and a threshold value, generating a test result, and outputting the test result.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the projection of the first antenna array onto the imaginary plane overlaps with the jig.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the projection of the first antenna array onto the imaginary plane does not overlap with the jig.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the emulation method further includes enabling a second beam by the first antenna array that is different from the first beam, communicating with the device under test via the second beam, and generating test results.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the emulating method further includes providing a second antenna array, the second antenna array including a plurality of antenna units arranged along a second direction, and the step of enabling a first beam by the first antenna array includes enabling the first beam by the first antenna array and the second antenna array.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the emulation method further includes providing a second antenna array, the second antenna array including a plurality of antenna units arranged along a second direction, and the step of generating test results includes enabling a second beam by the second antenna array, communicating with the device under test via the second beam, and generating test results.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of calculating the value of the phase difference based on the second signal includes performing a phase shift on the second signal to obtain a shifted signal, and calculating the value of the phase difference based on the shifted signal.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of calculating the value of the phase difference based on the shifted signal includes receiving a calibration signal from the device under test, and compensating the shifted signal based on the calibration signal to calculate the value of the phase difference.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the emulating method further includes adjusting a simulated altitude of the emulated satellite of the satellite communication by adjusting the signal strength of the first beam. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] Based on the above description, the present invention provides a convenient method for testing the communication capabilities of a satellite communication device.

[0025] To make the above content easier to understand, several embodiments will be described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the principles of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an emulated environment for satellite communications. [Figure 2] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an emulator system for satellite communications according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates a side view of an emulated satellite communications environment according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a top view of an emulated satellite communications environment according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates a side view of an emulated satellite communications environment according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 shows a schematic diagram of communication between an antenna array and a device under test (DUT) according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 shows a schematic diagram of the relationship between simulated incident angle and distance according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the relationship between simulated angles of incidence and simulated angular velocities of an emulated satellite according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates a flowchart of an emulation method for satellite communications according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a satellite communications emulation environment. A conventional emulation environment includes an arc-shaped rail 10 used to mount a device 11 functioning as an emulated satellite, along which the device 11 can move. A device under test 20 can be tested on the mounting platform. However, the metal frame of the arc-shaped rail 10 can affect the test results, and the mechanical control means has drawbacks such as low precision, a complex mechanical structure, and time-consuming installation and calibration.

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an emulator system 100 for satellite communications according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an emulated environment for satellite communications according to one embodiment of the present invention. The emulator system 100 is suitable for testing the communication capabilities of a device under test 200. The emulator system 100 may include a controller 110, a jig 120, and one or more antenna arrays 130. The number of antenna arrays 130 in the emulator system 100 may be any positive integer, although the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the antenna arrays 130 may include antenna array 131, antenna array 132, and antenna array 13n.

[0030] The controller 110 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or other programmable general-purpose or special-purpose micro control unit (MCU), microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), programmable controller, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), graphics processing unit (GPU), arithmetic logic unit (ALU), complex programmable logic device (CPLD), field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other similar device or combination thereof. The controller 110 may be communicatively or electrically connected to the jig 120 or one or more antenna arrays 130.

[0031] The jig 120 can be used to mount the device under test 200 on a virtual plane, which may be, for example, a plane parallel to a desktop or platform. For example, the jig 120 can be placed on a desktop and the device under test 200 can be fixed to the desktop. In one embodiment, the jig 120 can be a movable object (e.g., a lifting platform) and can be electrically or communicatively connected to the controller 110. The controller 110 can configure the jig 120 so that the virtual plane has six degrees of freedom, as shown in FIG. 3 . The device under test 200 can move with the jig 120 to simulate a situation in which a communication device in a satellite communication system is moving.

[0032] The antenna array 130 (e.g., antenna array 131) may be a uniform linear array (ULA) and may include N antenna units 30 arranged along a particular direction, where N may be any positive integer. Two adjacent antenna units 30 (e.g., antenna units #1 and #2) may be separated by a length d. In one embodiment, the length d may be equal to λ / 2, where λ may be the wavelength of the test signal radiated by the antenna array 130 or the device under test 200.

[0033] The single antenna array 130 can enable one or more beams and communicate with the device under test 200 through one or more beams by directing the one or more beams toward the device under test 200. Here, the controller 110 can emulate the movement of an emulated satellite by adjusting the angle of the one or more beams. The controller 110 can communicate with the device under test 200 through the one or more beams and test the device under test 200. The controller 110 can control the beam direction by adjusting the phase of each enabled antenna unit 30. The total gain and / or beam shape can be adjusted by adjusting the gain of each enabled antenna unit 30. Furthermore, the angular velocity of the center of the enabled antenna unit 30 (relative to the device under test 200) can be equal to the angular velocity of the emulated satellite.

[0034] In one embodiment, the controller 110 can enable multiple beams to emulate multiple emulated satellites, respectively. Each beam can be enabled by the (kn+m)th antenna unit 30 of the antenna array 130, where k and n are positive integers and m is a non-negative integer less than k. Taking the antenna array 131 as an example, three antenna units 30 (i.e., antenna units #1, #2, and #3) of the antenna array 131 can enable beam 41 and beam 42 simultaneously or at different times, and the three antenna units 30 can direct beam 41 or beam 42 toward the device under test 200. Meanwhile, two antenna units 30 (i.e., antenna units #(N-1) and #N) of the antenna array 131 can enable beam 43 and direct beam 43 toward the device under test 200.

[0035] One or more antenna arrays 130 can be installed, for example, on a ceiling. By arranging multiple antenna units 30 of different antenna arrays 130 in the same or different directions, satellites with the same or different orbits can be emulated. FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an environment for emulating satellite communications according to one embodiment of the present invention. Taking the antenna array 131 as an example, a projection 1301 of the antenna array 131 onto a virtual plane (e.g., a desktop) on which the device under test 200 is mounted can completely or partially overlap with the jig 120 or the device under test 200. Taking the antenna array 132 as an example, a projection 1302 of the antenna array 132 onto a virtual plane on which the device under test 200 is mounted may not overlap with the jig 120 or the device under test 200. Therefore, the antenna arrays 131 and 132 can be used to emulate satellites with different angles of incidence.

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an emulated satellite communications environment according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, different antenna arrays 130 may enable different beams to communicate with the device under test 200. For example, antenna array 131 may enable beam 51, and antenna array 132 may enable beam 52. The controller 110 may communicate with the device under test 200 via beam 51 and / or beam 52 to test the device under test 200 and generate test results for the device under test 200. In one embodiment, beams may be enabled by multiple antenna arrays 130. For example, beam 53 may be enabled by antenna array 131 and antenna array 132. The controller 110 may communicate with the device under test 200 via beam 53 to test the device under test 200 and generate test results for the device under test 200.

[0037] 6 shows a schematic diagram of communication between the antenna array 131 and the device under test 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. To test the device under test 200, the device under test 200 may first transmit a calibration signal 61 at a steering angle of 0 degrees. That is, the calibration signal 61 may be transmitted by the device under test 200 along a vertical line passing through the device under test 200. The antenna array 131 may receive the calibration signal 61, and the controller 110 may record information of the calibration signal 61.

[0038] The controller 110 can then enable the beam 62 via the antenna array 131 and direct the beam 62 toward the device under test 200 at a default incidence angle φ. The controller 110 can transmit a signal to the device under test 200 via the beam 62, and the device under test 200 can receive the signal from the beam 62 to obtain the angle of arrival (AoA) of the signal. The device under test 200 can emit a response signal 63 whose steering angle θ (i.e., the angle between the direction of the response signal 63 and a vertical line passing through the device under test 200) is equal to the AoA. If the device under test 200 can correctly calculate the AoA, the AoA or the steering angle θ should be equal to the default incidence angle φ. Therefore, if the AoA or the steering angle θ is not equal to the default incidence angle φ, it means that there is some error in the phase shift mechanism of the device under test 200. However, due to the nature of wireless signals having beamwidths, one or more antenna units 30 of the antenna array 131 can still receive the response signal 63 radiated by the device under test 200. It is important to determine whether the device under test 200 can correctly calculate the AoA and also correctly transmit the response signal 63 towards the source of the received signal (e.g., the antenna array 131).

[0039] Assume that the antenna array 131 is a uniform linear array, two adjacent antenna units 30 of the antenna array 131 are separated by a length d=λ / 2, and the steering angle θ of the signal 63 is toward the first antenna unit 30 (i.e., antenna unit #1). The phase θ of the received response signal 63 of the nth (left to right) antenna unit 30 is n can be given as equation (1).

[0040]

number

[0041] When the antenna unit 30 (e.g., antenna unit #1) receiving the response signal 63 is located exactly at a position corresponding to the steering angle θ, the antenna unit 30 can receive the signal 63 with a planar wave front. On the other hand, when the antenna unit 30 receiving the response signal 63 is located at a position corresponding to a default incident angle φ that is not equal to the steering angle θ (e.g., when the device under test 200 does not calculate the AoA completely correctly and the AoA is not equal to the default incident angle φ), the response signal 63 observed by the nth antenna unit 30 is P n Here, L is the length of the path from the light emitting array of the device under test 200 to the antenna array 131.

[0042]

number

[0043] In one embodiment, the antenna array 130 (e.g., antenna array 131) may further include a phase shifter for each antenna unit 30. The phase shifter may be electrically connected to the antenna unit 30. The controller 110 may control the phase shifter to shift the signal P nand cancel the phase residual φ. The controller 110 accordingly generates the shifted signal P′ as shown in equation (3). n can be obtained.

[0044]

number

[0045]

number

[0046] In one embodiment, the controller 110 can adjust the simulated altitude of the emulated satellite for satellite communication by adjusting the gain of the antenna units 30 of the antenna array 130 or by adjusting the signal strength of the beam emitted by the antenna array 130. The mapping relationship between the simulated altitude of the emulated satellite and the signal strength of the emitted beam (or the gain of the antenna units 30) is recorded in a look-up table, and the controller 110 can pre-store the look-up table.

[0047] In one embodiment, the controller 110 can adjust the simulated velocity of the emulated satellite by adjusting the simulated altitude of the emulated satellite. Specifically, the controller 110 can obtain the distance R between the emulated satellite and the center of the Earth based on the simulated altitude. The controller 110 can obtain the velocity v of the emulated satellite based on equations (4) to (6), where G is the universal gravitational constant, M is the mass of the Earth, and R is the radius of the Earth.

[0048]

number

[0049]

number

[0050]

number

[0051]

number

[0052]

number

[0053] Equation (9) is an approximate equation, and the error between equation (9) and the original equation is less than 4%, which is considered acceptable in engineering practice.

[0054]

number

[0055]

number

[0056]

number

[0057]

number

[0058] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a method for emulating satellite communications according to one embodiment of the present invention. The emulation method can be implemented by the emulator system 100 shown in FIG. 2. In step S901, a first antenna array including a plurality of antenna units arranged along a first direction is provided. In step S902, a device under test is mounted on an imaginary plane using a jig. In step S903, a first beam is enabled by the first antenna array. In step S904, the first beam is directed toward the device under test at a default incident angle. In step S905, a first signal is transmitted to the device under test via the first beam, and a second signal corresponding to the first signal is received from the device under test. In step S906, a phase difference value is calculated based on the second signal. In step S907, it is determined whether the device under test passes the test based on the phase difference value and a threshold value, and a test result is generated. In step S908, the test result is output.

[0059] As described above, the present invention provides an emulator system for satellite communications that can simulate situations where a satellite communications system has multiple satellites, where the satellite orbit is not directly above the terrestrial terminal, or where the terrestrial terminal itself is moving.

[0060] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of this, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations that come within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0061] The emulator system and emulation method according to the present invention can be applied to the wireless communication industry. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10. Arc-shaped rail 100 Emulator Systems 11 Devices 110 Controller 120 Jig 130, 131, 132, 13n antenna arrays 1301, 1302 projection 20,200 devices under test 30 Antenna unit 41, 42, 43, 51, 52, 53, 62 Beam 61 Calibration Signal 63 Response Signal 700, 800 schematic diagram S901, S902, S903, S904, S905, S906, S907, S908 steps

Claims

1. 1. An emulator system for satellite communications suitable for a device under test, comprising: a first antenna array including a plurality of antenna units arranged along a first direction; a jig used to place the device under test on a virtual plane; a controller communicatively connected to the first antenna array; wherein the controller: Enabling a first beam with the first antenna array; directing the first beam at the device under test at a default angle of incidence; transmitting a first signal to the device under test through the first beam and receiving a second signal corresponding to the first signal from the device under test, the device under test calculating a steering angle based on the first signal, and transmitting the second signal at the steering angle; calculating a value of a phase difference between the default angle of incidence and the steering angle based on the second signal; determining whether the device under test passes a test based on the phase difference value and a threshold value, and generating a test result; outputting the test results; an emulator system configured to run

2. 2. The emulator system of claim 1, wherein a projection of the first antenna array onto the imaginary plane overlaps with the jig.

3. 2. The emulator system of claim 1, wherein a projection of the first antenna array onto the imaginary plane does not overlap with the jig.

4. 2. The emulator system of claim 1, wherein the controller enables a second beam different from the first beam with the first antenna array, communicates with the device under test via the second beam, and generates the test results.

5. 2. The emulator system of claim 1, further comprising a second antenna array including a plurality of antenna units arranged along a second direction, the second antenna array being communicatively connected to the controller, and the controller enabling the first beam by the first antenna array and the second antenna array.

6. 2. The emulator system of claim 1, further comprising a second antenna array including a plurality of antenna units arranged along a second direction, the second antenna array being communicatively connected to the controller, the controller enabling a second beam with the second antenna array and communicating with the device under test via the second beam to generate the test results.

7. the first antenna array further comprising: a phase shifter electrically connected to a first antenna unit of the plurality of antenna units; 2. The emulator system of claim 1, wherein the controller performs a phase shift on the second signal using the phase shifter to obtain a phase-shifted signal, and calculates the value of the phase difference based on the phase-shifted signal.

8. The controller further comprises: receiving a calibration signal from the device under test; compensating the phase-shifted signal based on the calibration signal and calculating the value of the phase difference; 8. The emulator system of claim 7 configured to execute:

9. 2. The emulator system of claim 1, wherein said controller adjusts the simulated altitude of said emulated satellite for said satellite communications by adjusting the signal strength of said first beam.

10. 10. The emulator system of claim 9, wherein the controller adjusts the simulated angle of incidence by adjusting the default angle of incidence based on the simulated altitude.

11. 2. The emulation system of claim 1, wherein the jig is a movable object and is electrically connected to the controller, and the controller sets the jig so that the virtual plane has six degrees of freedom.

12. 1. A method for emulating satellite communications suitable for a device under test, comprising: providing a first antenna array including a plurality of antenna units arranged along a first direction; placing the device under test on a virtual plane using a jig; Enabling a first beam with the first antenna array; directing the first beam at the device under test at a default angle of incidence; transmitting a first signal to the device under test through the first beam and receiving a second signal corresponding to the first signal from the device under test, the device under test calculating a steering angle based on the first signal, and transmitting the second signal at the steering angle; calculating a value of a phase difference between the default angle of incidence and the steering angle based on the second signal; determining whether the device under test passes a test based on the phase difference value and a threshold value, and generating a test result; outputting the test results; emulation methods, including:

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein a projection of the first antenna array onto the imaginary plane overlaps with the jig.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein a projection of the first antenna array onto the imaginary plane does not overlap with the jig.

15. enabling a second beam with the first antenna array, the second beam being different from the first beam; communicating with the device under test via the second beam and generating the test results; 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

16. providing a second antenna array including a plurality of antenna units arranged along a second direction; Enabling the first beam with the first antenna array 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising enabling the first beam with the first antenna array and the second antenna array.

17. providing a second antenna array including a plurality of antenna units arranged along a second direction; generating the test results, enabling a second beam with the second antenna array; communicating with the device under test via the second beam and generating the test results; 13. The method of claim 12, comprising:

18. calculating a value of the phase difference between the default angle of incidence and the steering angle based on the second signal; performing a phase shift on the second signal to obtain a phase-shifted signal; calculating the phase difference value based on the phase shifted signals; 13. The method of claim 12, comprising:

19. calculating the phase difference value based on the phase shifted signals; receiving a calibration signal from the device under test; compensating the phase-shifted signal based on the calibration signal and calculating the value of the phase difference; 20. The method of claim 18, comprising:

20. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising adjusting a simulated altitude of the emulated satellite of the satellite communication by adjusting the signal strength of the first beam.

Images