Radio Channel Emulator for Wireless Device Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The need for efficient wireless device testing without direct coax cable coupling to antenna ports, particularly in smaller, higher-frequency cellular systems where multi-probe anechoic chambers (MPACs) are expensive and space-intensive, and there is a lack of industry standards for digital baseband emulation.
Innovation Solution
A system using a shielded test chamber with a probe antenna array electrically coupled to a radio channel emulator, allowing wireless coupling between the device under test (DUT) and a radio channel model, eliminating the need for coax connections and reducing the requirement for large MPACs, utilizing a crossbar switch and processor to modify antenna data and measure performance characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct coax cable coupling is used to connect antenna ports, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to unavailable coax connections in modern wireless devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a probe antenna array as an intermediary component between the wireless device and the measurement system. The probe antennas wirelessly couple with the DUT antennas, enabling measurement without direct coax cable connections. This intermediary wireless coupling mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing both measurement capability and ease of operation with modern devices that lack coax ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical coax cable connection system with an electromagnetic wireless coupling system. Instead of using physical coax cables to connect antenna ports, the system uses electromagnetic fields between probe antennas and DUT antennas to establish the measurement connection, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multi-probe anechoic chamber (MPAC) is used for testing, then measurement precision is improved, but area of stationary object deteriorates due to large floor space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the large-scale MPAC environment and implements it in a compact shielded test chamber. By taking out only the necessary components (probe antenna array, radio channel emulator, wireless communication emulator) and removing the requirement for extensive anechoic chamber space, the system achieves measurement precision with significantly reduced area footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the MPAC measurement capability using a compact shielded test chamber with probe antenna arrays. Instead of requiring the full MPAC infrastructure, the system replicates the essential measurement functionality in a space-efficient configuration, achieving the same measurement precision with much smaller floor space.
3Ease of operation
If shielded test chamber with probe antenna array is used, then ease of operation is improved by eliminating coax connections, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal test chamber system that can measure multiple performance characteristics of wireless devices through a single integrated setup. The probe antenna array, radio channel emulator, and wireless communication emulator work together to provide multi-functional measurement capabilities, reducing the need for separate specialized equipment and thereby managing complexity while improving ease of operation.
4Measurement precision
If radio channel emulator with FIR filter is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to finite impulse response filter implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a radio channel emulator as an intermediary device that implements FIR filter-based radio channel models. This emulator serves as a bridge between the physical wireless environment and the measurement system, providing precise channel simulation while managing complexity through dedicated hardware implementation of the filter algorithms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient testing of wireless devices without coax connections, reducing the need for large test chambers and providing a cost-effective solution for testing wireless devices across various frequencies, including 5G systems, by emulating radio channel conditions within a smaller, shielded environment.
Implementation Method 1
The shielded test chamber is configured to position the DUT antenna array in a radiative near field region of the probe antenna array
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for testing a wireless device under test (DUT) using over the air (OTA) channel emulation are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a system is disclosed for testing a wireless DUT having a DUT antenna array. The system includes a probe antenna array, a shielded test chamber, a radio channel emulator, and a wireless communication emulator. The probe antenna array is electrically coupled with the radio channel emulator, and the shielded test chamber is configured to position the DUT antenna array in a radiative near field region of the plurality of probe antennas. The wireless communication emulator is operatively coupled with the radio channel emulator and is configured to emulate an electrical coupling between at least one antenna port of the DUT and at least one radio channel model of the radio channel emulator.