Mobile Device Self-Test for RF Interference Susceptibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for testing the susceptibility of wireless communication devices to interference are expensive, time-consuming, and do not accurately represent real-world operational conditions, posing safety risks for devices like medical and aviation equipment.

Innovation Solution

A mobile wireless communication device is equipped with a user-selectable second transmission mode that allows users to set parameters for wireless signals, enabling testing of interference susceptibility in a controlled manner, with features like security codes and specific user inputs to invoke this mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If specialized test equipment and shielded test facilities are used to test wireless communication devices for interference susceptibility, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity, cost, and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference susceptibility measurementVSAvoidtest equipment and facility complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile wireless communication device performs its own interference susceptibility testing by transmitting test signals and monitoring its received signal quality, eliminating the need for complex external specialized test equipment and shielded facilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device creates a simplified model of interference testing by using its own transmitter and receiver components to simulate the interference scenario, rather than requiring physical replication of complex test environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If specialized test equipment and shielded test facilities are used to test wireless communication devices for interference susceptibility, then reliability of test results is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest result reliabilityVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device conducts interference susceptibility testing autonomously using its own communication components, enabling rapid repeated tests without scheduling complex facility usage, thereby reducing testing time while maintaining reliability through consistent self-measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If specialized test equipment and shielded test facilities are used to test wireless communication devices for interference susceptibility, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference susceptibility measurementVSAvoidtesting cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device uses its own built-in transmitter and receiver to perform interference susceptibility measurements, eliminating the need for expensive external specialized test equipment and shielded facilities, thereby significantly reducing testing costs while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The communication components of the mobile device serve dual purposes: normal communication operations and interference susceptibility testing, eliminating the need for dedicated specialized test equipment and reducing overall system cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If standard communication protocols restrict transmission frequency bandwidths and powers, then object-generated harmful factors are reduced, but adaptability of the wireless communication device decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRF interferenceVSAvoidtransmission parameter flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device dynamically adjusts transmission parameters including frequency bandwidth and power levels based on real-time interference conditions and test requirements, allowing it to adapt beyond standard protocol restrictions while maintaining controlled interference levels through active parameter management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9065569B2Mobile device output test setting

Publication Date: 2015.06.23 MASTERCARD INT INC

AI summary

A method and a wireless communication device including a housing, at least one user interface element to receive a user input, a transmitter to transmit a wireless communication signal; and a processor in the housing. The processor being enabled to detect a first signal; switch, in response to detecting the first signal, the transmitter from a first transmission mode to a second transmission mode, at least one of a transmit power and a transmit frequency associated with the second transmission mode being selectively set by a user via the user interface element; receive a second signal, the second signal including an indication of a value selected by the user; and set, in response to receiving the second signal, the at least one of transmit power and transmit frequency associated with the second transmission mode to the value selected by the user.