Multi-Antenna Panel Testing with Single-Probe Beam Coverage Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-antenna panel testing for wireless communication devices in FR2 is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive, and current methods do not accurately reflect the device's ability to maintain coverage when the best beam is blocked by obstructions, leading to inadequate coverage requirements.
Innovation Solution
A single testing probe is used to capture performance of all antenna panels, with post-processing to determine device performance for EIRP and EIS, considering second-best beams to ensure coverage reliability, and interference between panels is minimized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple test probes are used to simultaneously measure all transmission and reception directions, then measurement completeness is improved, but device complexity and testing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single test probe system. The single probe sequentially measures multiple antenna panels and multiple directions (azimuth and elevation), consolidating what would traditionally require multiple simultaneous probes into one unified measurement system, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining complete measurement coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The test probe is designed with universal functionality to measure all antenna panels, all transmission directions, and both EIRP and EIS parameters. This multi-functional probe replaces the need for specialized probes for each measurement type, simplifying the overall testing setup while maintaining comprehensive measurement capabilities
2Device complexity
If sequential measurement of all antenna panels is used, then device complexity is reduced, but testing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process uses periodic action by systematically cycling through different antenna panels, azimuth directions, and elevation angles in a structured sequence. This periodic measurement approach allows a single probe to efficiently collect all necessary data points over multiple cycles, reducing complexity while managing testing time through optimized measurement scheduling
Solution Approach 2:
The single test probe maintains continuous useful action by seamlessly transitioning between measuring different antenna panels and directions without requiring setup changes or probe replacements. This continuous measurement process eliminates idle time between measurements and keeps the testing system continuously productive throughout the evaluation
3Ease of operation
If only best beam is considered for coverage measurement, then measurement simplicity is improved, but coverage reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of beams: the best beam is measured for baseline performance, while second-best and third-best beams are specifically measured for coverage reliability. This localized focus on alternative beams in specific scenarios (when best beam is blocked) maintains measurement simplicity for primary operations while enhancing reliability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system performs beforehand cushioning by pre-measuring and storing data from second-best and third-best beams before actual coverage evaluation. This advance preparation ensures that when the best beam is blocked during operation, the device already has pre-evaluated alternative beam data ready, maintaining coverage reliability without adding complexity to real-time operations
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a communication device (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) that has a transceiver and a set of antenna panels. The communication device transmits a signal from the transceiver, where the signal is transmitted simultaneously as a maximum power reference signal from a best beam in each antenna panel of the set of antenna panels for a measurement of effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) in a transmission direction. Additionally, the communication device receives a reference signal, and demodulates the reference signal independently for each antenna panel of the set of antenna panels for a measurement of effective isotropic sensitivity (EIS) in a reception direction.