Wireless CPE Testing Throughput via Channel Saturation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-volume device testing of wireless CPE devices faces challenges due to wireless network channel saturation and interference, leading to false failures and operational inefficiencies in service provider environments.
Innovation Solution
A comprehensive solution involving a hardware configuration for test racks, software algorithms for selective wireless network activation and de-activation, and a process to manage device testing, minimizing interference and saturation by controlling device power and channel usage, and configuring devices for optimal operational profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple wireless CPE devices are tested concurrently, then testing throughput is improved, but wireless network channel saturation and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the testing process by dividing wireless CPE devices into different testing groups or batches. Devices are tested in sequential batches rather than all simultaneously, which reduces the number of active wireless devices at any given time. This segmentation approach maintains testing throughput by keeping multiple devices in the testing pipeline while preventing channel saturation by limiting concurrent wireless transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by configuring wireless CPE devices with predetermined operational profiles before testing begins. Devices are pre-configured with specific wireless channel settings, power levels, and operational parameters that are optimized for testing conditions. This preliminary configuration ensures that when devices are activated for testing, they operate within controlled parameters that minimize interference and channel saturation while enabling efficient concurrent testing.
2Reliability
If wireless functionality is enabled for all CPE devices, then testing coverage is improved, but wireless interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling wireless functionality selectively in different CPE devices based on their specific testing requirements. Rather than enabling wireless functionality uniformly in all devices, the system activates wireless functionality only in devices that require wireless testing at any given time, and configures each device with locally optimized wireless parameters such as channel selection and transmission power. This ensures comprehensive testing coverage while minimizing overall wireless interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by enabling and disabling wireless functionality in CPE devices in periodic cycles. Devices are activated for wireless testing in structured time intervals or batches, then deactivated or reconfigured before the next batch is activated. This periodic activation pattern ensures that all devices receive adequate testing coverage over time while preventing continuous simultaneous wireless transmissions that would cause excessive interference.
3Ease of operation
If CPE devices are kept in default operational profile, then deployment readiness is improved, but testing flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the operational profile of CPE devices dynamic rather than static. Devices maintain a default operational profile that ensures deployment readiness, but can be dynamically reconfigured with different wireless parameters and testing profiles when placed in the testing system. The system automatically or manually adjusts device configurations based on testing requirements, and then restores default profiles after testing. This dynamic approach ensures both deployment readiness and testing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying specific wireless parameters of CPE devices during testing while maintaining the overall default operational profile structure. The system allows changes to parameters such as wireless channel, transmission power, and operational mode during testing, but preserves the core default profile settings that ensure deployment readiness. After testing, parameter changes are reverted or documented, ensuring devices can be deployed with their original configured parameters or with known modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
Wireless consumer premises equipment (CPE) devices are provisioned with their wireless functionality disabled. Selected wireless CPE devices have their wireless functionality turned on, and testing of the selected wireless devices, including testing of their wireless functionality, is performed. After testing has been completed, the selected wireless devices are placed in a predetermined default operational profile suitable for subsequent end consumer deployment. A wireless interference and wireless channel saturation minimization action is performed in relation to the selected wireless devices so that their wireless functionality does not affect subsequent testing of the wireless functionality of other wireless CPE devices. Testing can be performed using a system including a primary test platform, a wireless interface communicatively connected to the primary test platform, and a mobile and/or stationary test rack(s) communicatively connected to the primary test platform and that has individual slots into which corresponding wireless devices are connected.