Modular Base Station Testing System With Reprogrammable Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional base station testing systems require multiple dedicated devices for each interface and protocol, increasing complexity and cost due to hardware and software integration, which limits flexibility and scalability.

Innovation Solution

A modular testing system with a circuit board frame and detachable testing modules, featuring reprogrammable processing circuitry and a central processing unit that can configure and execute testing programs across different interfaces and protocols, allowing for versatile hardware and software configurations without changing hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple dedicated testing devices are used for each interface and protocol, then testing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The testing device incorporates reprogrammable processing circuitry that can be configured to perform multiple testing functions across different interfaces and protocols. A single device with programmable functionality replaces multiple dedicated devices, maintaining testing reliability through software-based protocol implementation while reducing hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The testing device uses reprogrammable processing circuitry that can dynamically reconfigure its functionality through loading different protocol stacks and testing programs. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same hardware to adapt to different testing requirements, maintaining reliability for each specific protocol while avoiding the need for multiple static dedicated devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If multiple dedicated testing devices are used for each interface and protocol, then testing precision is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting precisionVSAvoidnumber of devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A single testing device with reprogrammable processing circuitry performs multiple testing functions that previously required separate dedicated devices. The device loads appropriate protocol stacks and testing programs based on requirements, achieving the same measurement precision for different protocols while reducing the quantity of physical devices needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The testing device changes its operational parameters by loading different protocol stacks and configuring the reprogrammable processing circuitry for specific protocols. This parameter change allows the same hardware to achieve protocol-specific testing precision without requiring multiple dedicated devices with fixed configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If hardware changes are made to test different interfaces and protocols, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting versatilityVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces hardware-based protocol adaptation with software-based protocol stacks loaded onto reprogrammable processing circuitry. Instead of physically changing hardware components to test different protocols, the system loads appropriate protocol software, achieving high adaptability while maintaining simple, consistent hardware architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2958358B1System for base-station testing
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 MENTOR GRAPHICS CORP
  • EP2958358B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2958358B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2958358B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This document discloses a system for testing a base station apparatus, the system comprising: a circuit board frame comprising a plurality of interfaces for a plurality of testing modules and a central processing circuitry; said plurality of testing modules detachably attachable to the interfaces, wherein each testing module comprises hardware configured to connect a determined interface of the base station apparatus and a reprogrammable processing circuitry, wherein the central processing circuitry is configured to detect testing modules attached to the circuit board frame, determine a testing program to execute, and to program reprogrammable processing circuitries of the detected testing modules to execute testing functions of the testing program.