Atomic Command Sequencing for Multi-Module Wireless Testers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless device testers with multiple vector signal analyzers (VSAs) and vector signal generators (VSGs) lack the capability to execute user-defined sequences of instrument commands in an atomic and deterministic manner across all independent modules, limiting their ability to perform concurrent testing of multiple wireless standards efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that integrates a global resource scheduler and a sequence processing module to coordinate the execution of user-defined command sequences across VSAs and VSGs, ensuring atomic and deterministic execution through internal firmware and hardware interactions, allowing for simultaneous execution of commands across all modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple VSAs and VSGs are used for concurrent testing of multiple wireless standards, then testing capability and versatility are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the control function into separate modules: a sequence player for managing command sequences and hardware modules for executing specific measurements. This segmentation allows independent scaling of measurement capabilities while maintaining coordinated control through the sequence player, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sequence player serves as a universal controller that can manage any combination of hardware modules (VSAs, VSGs, signal generators) through a standardized interface. This multi-functional design enables the same control architecture to support multiple wireless standards and testing scenarios without increasing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If piecemeal commands are executed manually, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity and testing efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Users can pre-define complete sequences of commands that perform complex testing procedures automatically. The sequence player executes these pre-programmed sequences without requiring manual intervention during execution, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while dramatically improving productivity through automated multi-step measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sequence player automatically manages the execution of commands across multiple hardware modules, handling timing coordination, resource allocation, and data collection without requiring user intervention. This self-service capability allows users to simply load and execute sequences rather than manually controlling each measurement step.
3Reliability
If atomic and deterministic command execution is implemented, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sequence player continuously monitors the execution state of commands across all hardware modules and provides feedback to maintain deterministic timing. This feedback mechanism ensures that commands are executed in the correct sequence with precise timing, guaranteeing measurement reliability while keeping the coordination mechanism manageable through state-aware control.
4Ease of manufacture
If manual programming of real-time measurement systems is performed, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but productivity and development time are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Testing procedures can be pre-programmed as complete sequences of commands that define the entire measurement process. This allows rapid development and deployment of test systems without requiring manual programming during execution, as the sequences can be created, validated, and loaded in advance, significantly improving development speed while maintaining programming simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for the execution of a program comprises a user-defined sequence of standard hardware and analysis module commands of an instrument, in the context of a tester comprising a plurality of VSAs and VSGs, or other hardware measurement modules types, where the coordination of command execution and resource availability is built into the system as an inherent part of its overall architecture. As such, the commands are the same as those ordinarily executed in piecemeal fashion, but are now automatically and sequentially executed in an atomic and deterministic manner through the coordinated interaction of embodiments of the invention.