Multi-UE Simulator for Uplink Virtual MIMO Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Testing uplink virtual MIMO functionality in air interface devices, such as eNBs, is challenging due to the difficulty in setting up and controlling tests with real UEs, especially when multiple UEs are involved, limiting the evaluation of aggregate uplink data throughput.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for simulating multi-UE uplink virtual MIMO by receiving and decoding downlink signals to identify UEs with uplink resource block grants, assigning these grants to different antennas or cables, and generating and transmitting uplink signals to test the air interface device's processing capability, allowing for controlled and efficient testing of uplink virtual MIMO.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real UEs are used for testing uplink virtual MIMO functionality, then the testing can evaluate actual multi-UE uplink transmissions, but the test setup becomes difficult and complex to control, especially with large numbers of UEs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a UE simulator that generates and transmits uplink signals mimicking multiple UEs instead of using actual UEs. This copying approach allows the eNB to be tested with simulated multi-UE uplink virtual MIMO transmissions while avoiding the complexity of setting up and controlling numerous real UEs, thus maintaining testing accuracy while reducing setup complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The UE simulator is designed to generate uplink signals for multiple simulated UEs simultaneously, making a single testing device capable of replacing multiple real UEs. This multi-functional simulator can configure and control various transmission parameters for multiple simulated UEs, simplifying the test setup while maintaining the ability to evaluate uplink virtual MIMO functionality
2Productivity
If multiple real UEs are used for testing, then aggregate uplink data throughput can be evaluated, but the difficulty and cost of setting up and controlling the test increases
Solution Approach 1:
The simulator creates virtual copies of multiple UEs that can be configured to test aggregate uplink data throughput evaluation without requiring physical deployment of multiple real UEs. This allows comprehensive throughput evaluation while avoiding the manufacturing and setup complexity associated with deploying numerous real devices
Solution Approach 2:
The UE simulator acts as an intermediary between the test controller and the eNB under test. It mediates the testing process by generating simulated uplink transmissions from multiple UEs, allowing aggregate throughput evaluation while simplifying the overall test setup and control architecture
Data Source
AI summary
A method for testing an air interface device by simulating multi-UE uplink virtual MIMO includes receiving, by a multi-UE simulator, a downlink signal transmission from an air interface device under test. The method further includes decoding, by the multi-UE simulator, the downlink signal transmission to identify simulated UEs with uplink resource block grants. The method further includes assigning, by the multi-UE simulator, uplink data transmissions for the simulated UEs with uplink resource block grants to antennas or cables such that uplink data transmissions for simulated UEs with overlapping uplink resource block grants are assigned to different antennas or cables. The method further includes testing, by the multi-UE simulator, uplink virtual MIMO processing capability of the air interface device under test by generating and transmitting uplink signals from the simulated UEs with the overlapping uplink resource block grants to the air interface device under test using the different antennas or cables.