OTA Test Setup for 5G NR UE Demodulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user equipment (UE) demodulation performance tests are inadequate for 5G New Radio (NR) wireless communication systems operating in the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency range, as conventional testing techniques are not applicable due to highly integrated baseband and RF components, and increased over-the-air (OTA) propagation losses at higher frequencies.
Innovation Solution
The development of an over-the-air (OTA) test setup that includes a test interface to connect and control the UE, enabling accurate measurement of RF performance requirements and demodulation performance by using reference signals to estimate channel matrices and precoding information, thereby optimizing signaling and reducing measurement uncertainty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional UE demodulation performance tests are used, then test simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inadequate testing for mmWave frequency range
Solution Approach 1:
The test system is segmented into distinct functional components: a signal generator for creating test signals, a channel emulator for simulating mmWave propagation conditions, and a UE under test. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide accurate demodulation performance measurements in the mmWave frequency range.
Solution Approach 2:
A channel emulator acts as an intermediary between the signal generator and the UE, creating a controllable propagation channel that simulates real-world mmWave conditions. This intermediary enables precise control over channel characteristics such as path loss, multipath components, and delay spread, thereby improving measurement accuracy without requiring complex outdoor test environments.
2Ease of operation
If baseband and RF components are highly integrated, then device compactness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in accessing test interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The test interface is accessed through a different dimension - via wireless communication channels rather than physical cable connections to traditional test ports. The signal generator communicates with the UE through air interface protocols, allowing test control and measurement data exchange without requiring physical access to the UE's integrated baseband or RF components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If OTA propagation losses are increased at higher frequencies, then frequency range coverage is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to signal attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The channel emulator performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and injecting compensating signals that account for expected OTA propagation losses. The system characterizes the propagation channel in advance and uses this information to generate test signals with appropriate power levels and characteristics, ensuring reliable signal transmission through the simulated mmWave channel during testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the UE reports received signal strength and quality metrics back to the signal generator. Based on this feedback, the signal generator dynamically adjusts test signal parameters such as power level and modulation scheme to maintain reliable communication through the simulated propagation channel, enabling accurate demodulation performance measurements even under challenging mmWave conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, apparatuses, storage media, and systems for UE baseband-demodulation-performance tests in new radio (NR). An over-the-air (OTA) test environment with optimized signaling over the test interface by enabling feedback in the test system may achieve adequate baseband emulation of multipath utilizing NR reference signals. Various embodiments describe how to realize a test loop initialization and achieve better test certainty and controllability over OTA tests.