Analog Beam Simulation for CP-OFDM Wired Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MIMO testing methods are not feasible for 5G base stations and mobile devices due to the small size of antenna elements and increased complexity, especially when trying to apply different beams per subcarrier or CP-OFDM symbol, and require additional equipment that increases system cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Analog beam simulation for wired device testing in CP-OFDM systems, which uses a wired connection to simulate beam characteristics by applying predetermined power gains and delays to subcarriers and symbols, allowing for efficient testing without the need for additional equipment or wireless signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional OTA testing methods are used with advanced antennas, then beamforming capabilities can be tested, but system complexity and cost increase due to additional equipment and synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the wireless channel characteristics (beamforming effects) and applies it through wired connection. Instead of physically transmitting wireless signals through advanced antennas, the invention synthesizes beamformed signal characteristics digitally and delivers them via wired interface, eliminating the need for complex wireless test equipment while preserving beamforming testing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wireless physical system (advanced antennas, wireless signal propagation, beamforming hardware) with a digital/electrical system (wired connection, digital signal processing, virtual channel simulation). This substitution eliminates synchronization issues and hardware complexity while maintaining the essential beamforming testing function
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional beamforming methods are applied to time domain signal, then beam characteristics can be formed, but different beams per subcarrier or CP-OFDM symbol cannot be applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from time-domain beamforming to frequency-domain beamforming by applying beamforming weights to individual subcarriers in the frequency domain. This dimensional change from time to frequency domain enables independent beam control per subcarrier and per CP-OFDM symbol, providing fine-grained adaptability for 5G NR testing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the beamforming parameters (weights, delays, power levels) dynamically for each subcarrier and each CP-OFDM symbol in the frequency domain. This parameter variation capability allows different beams to be applied to different subcarriers and symbols, enabling precise control over signal characteristics for comprehensive device testing
3Device complexity
If wired connection is used instead of wireless signaling, then system cost and complexity are reduced, but beamforming simulation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a digital signal processing intermediary that sits between the wired connection and the device under test. This intermediary synthesizes beamformed signal characteristics and injects them into the wired connection, effectively mediating between the simple wired interface and the complex beamforming testing requirements, thereby preserving beamforming simulation capability without wireless signaling
Data Source
AI summary
A test device for simulating analog beams applied to a DUT includes a memory that stores instructions and a processor that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the test device to perform a process that includes obtaining, from the memory and based on instructions received for testing the DUT, a predetermined power level for a beam to be simulated for the DUT and a predetermined time delay for the beam to be simulated for the DUT. The process also includes applying the predetermined power level for the beam and the predetermined time delay for the beam to a set of subcarriers and cyclic prefix orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (CP-OFDM) symbol to obtain simulated characteristics of the beam from the perspective of the DUT. The process also includes sending, over a wired connection, the simulated characteristics of the beam from the processor to the DUT.