Path Loss Correction Factor for Wireless Sensitivity Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for sensitivity measurement in wireless mobile stations are limited, as they only reveal sensitivity degradation issues caused by conduction within interconnects and require extensive resources for radiated tests, which are not efficient for routine testing.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that generates a path loss correction factor to compensate for path loss from the base station emulator to the wireless device's antenna port, allowing for accurate wireless reception performance testing by adjusting transmission power to remove the effect of path loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If radiated TIS and EIS tests are performed to verify antenna performances and expose electromagnetic compatibility issues, then measurement comprehensiveness is improved, but test complexity and resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement comprehensivenessVSAvoidtest complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A path loss correction factor is introduced as an intermediary element to bridge the gap between simple conducted tests and complex radiated tests. This correction factor, applied during conducted testing, compensates for the missing radiative path loss effects, allowing the simpler test setup to achieve the measurement comprehensiveness of radiated tests without the associated complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the testing parameters by introducing a path loss correction factor that adjusts the transmission power levels. This parameter change allows conducted tests to simulate the conditions of radiated tests, achieving equivalent measurement comprehensiveness while maintaining the simplicity of the conducted test setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If path loss correction factor is applied to remove path loss effects, then measurement accuracy is improved, but test setup complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidtest setup complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station emulator automatically calculates and applies the path loss correction factor based on the known distance to the wireless device. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual path loss calculations and adjustments, improving measurement accuracy while avoiding the complexity of additional measurement equipment or manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If conventional sensitivity testing methods are used, then test simplicity is maintained, but sensitivity degradation issues related to radiation are not detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest simplicityVSAvoiddetection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The path loss correction factor serves as an intermediary that enables conducted tests to detect radiative sensitivity degradation issues. By applying this correction factor, the simple conducted test setup gains the detection capability of radiated tests, allowing it to identify electromagnetic compatibility issues that would otherwise remain undetected

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2330844B1Methods for sensitivity measurement in wireless mobile stations
Publication Date: 2013.07.24 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2330844B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2330844B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2330844B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method is provided for performing a wireless reception performance test between a wireless device and a base station emulator. The method comprises generating a path loss correction factor. The path loss correction factor compensates for path loss from an antenna port of the base station emulator to an antenna port of the wireless device. The method further comprises transmitting from the base station emulator at least a further signal transmission. The further signal transmission includes the path loss correction factor such that the transmission power of the further signal transmission removes the effect of path loss from the wireless reception performance test.