Automated Test Setup Using Logging Data for Wireless Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reproducing real-world conditions in a laboratory setting for testing wireless communication devices is challenging due to limitations in simulating the precise network and radio environments, requiring extensive setup time and effort.

Innovation Solution

An automated test arrangement that uses logging data from a device to adjust and set up a test environment, allowing the device under test to operate in conditions similar to those observed in real-world scenarios, by comparing reference logging data with current data and adapting the network and radio channel simulator accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual setup and adjustment of simulation equipment is performed to reproduce real-world conditions, then the precision of reproducing real-world conditions is improved, but the setup time and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of reproducing real-world conditionsVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent copies real-world operating conditions by capturing logging data from a device operating in actual field conditions and using this data to configure the simulation environment. Instead of manually reproducing complex real-world scenarios, the system creates a digital copy of the actual operating conditions through data acquisition and automated setup, thereby achieving high reproduction precision while eliminating manual setup time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by capturing and storing logging data from real-world operations before the actual testing begins. This pre-captured data is then used to automatically configure the simulation environment, eliminating the need for manual setup during the testing phase and significantly reducing the time required to reproduce real-world conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual adjustment of simulation parameters is performed to match real-world behavior, then the accuracy of behavior reproduction is improved, but the complexity of the testing process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of behavior reproductionVSAvoidcomplexity of testing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically configuring the simulation environment based on captured logging data without requiring manual intervention. The automated setup process extracts relevant parameters from the logging data and configures the simulation equipment accordingly, thereby maintaining high accuracy in behavior reproduction while eliminating the complexity associated with manual parameter adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If extensive manual tasks are performed to set up test scenarios, then the fidelity of test environment to real-world conditions is improved, but the productivity of the testing process decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefidelity of test environmentVSAvoidproductivity of testing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying to capture real-world operating conditions through logging data and automatically reproduce them in the simulation environment. This approach maintains high fidelity of the test environment to real-world conditions while eliminating the need for extensive manual setup tasks, thereby preserving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from captured logging data to automatically adjust and configure the simulation environment. By continuously referencing the actual operating conditions recorded in the logging data, the system ensures high environmental fidelity while the automated feedback-driven configuration process eliminates manual intervention, maintaining high testing productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3503438B1Test arrangement and test method
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3503438B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3503438B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A test arrangement and a test method for testing a device under test are provided. In particular, an automated configuration of a test scenario is provided for the device under test which comes close to real-world conditions. For this purpose, logging data, for instance data of a log file, may be analyzed and compared to corresponding parameters data provided by the device under test in the test arrangement. Based on this comparison, a network and radio channel simulator is controlled in order to operate the device under test under such conditions that the device under test outputs parameter data corresponding to parameter data output under real-world conditions.