Multi-Receiver DUT Testing via Multi-Angle Signal Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current testing methods for multi-receiver user equipment (UE) do not adequately address the performance requirements for simultaneous reception from multiple angles of arrival, leading to inter-beam interference and inadequate reference sensitivity and spherical coverage, as existing requirements are based on single-angle of arrival assumptions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the simultaneous transmission of test signals at multiple angles of arrival to a multi-receiver device, with performance metrics like reference sensitivity and effective isotropic sensitivity spherical coverage being measured and compared to requirement values dependent on the angular difference, allowing for relaxed or stringent requirements based on the angle separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If test signals are sent at multiple angles of arrival simultaneously, then the testing comprehensiveness for multi-receiver UE is improved, but the inter-beam interference increases and measurement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting comprehensivenessVSAvoidinter-beam interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of angle of arrival by transmitting test signals from multiple different angles simultaneously. This allows comprehensive testing of multi-receiver UE performance while accounting for inter-beam interference effects that occur in real-world multi-angle reception scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by selectively measuring performance metrics for specific receiver chains based on the angular separation between test signals. When angular separation exceeds a threshold, only certain receiver chains are measured, reducing the impact of inter-beam interference while still providing meaningful performance data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If performance metrics are measured for all receiver chains at multiple angles, then the measurement precision is improved, but the measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance metric accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively measuring performance metrics only for receiver chains that meet specific angular separation criteria. When the angular separation between test signals exceeds a predetermined threshold, the patent measures metrics for only those receiver chains that are sufficiently isolated from interference, thereby reducing measurement time while maintaining precision for the measured chains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the measurement process by dividing receiver chains into different measurement groups based on their angular separation characteristics. This allows parallel measurement of different receiver chains under different conditions, reducing overall measurement time while maintaining comprehensive coverage of performance metrics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If requirement values are made angle-dependent, then the testing accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoidrequirement evaluation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the requirement values based on the angular separation parameter. Different requirement thresholds are applied depending on whether the angular separation between test signals is above or below a predetermined threshold. This improves testing accuracy by matching requirements to actual operating conditions while managing complexity through clear threshold-based rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4354765A1Method, apparatus and computer program for testing a multi-receiver device-under-test (DUT)
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4354765A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4354765A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4354765A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

There is provided a method comprising sending, to a device with multi receiver chains, a first test signal at a first angle of arrival at the device; whilst the first test signal is being sent, sending at least one additional test signal to the device at at least one additional angle of arrival that has an angular difference to the first angle of arrival; measuring at least one performance metric of the device whilst the device is receiving the first test signal and the at least one additional test signal; and comparing the at least one performance metric to at least one corresponding requirement value, the requirement value being dependent on the angular difference between the at least one additional angle of arrival and the first angle of arrival.