RF Beamforming Calibration via Channel Emulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex and time-consuming process of physically reproducing communication conditions for calibrating and testing radio frequency systems limits their calibration and testing efficiency, especially due to the need for heavy equipment and anechoic rooms.
Innovation Solution
A testing system that includes a tester radio frequency system capable of emulating wireless communication on-chip, allowing calibration and testing via wired connections by modifying packet magnitude and phase to simulate expected distortion, thereby bypassing the need for physical reproduction of wireless communication channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical reproduction of communication conditions is used for calibration, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the communication channel characteristics through channel emulation, replacing the need for physical reproduction of communication conditions. The channel emulator generates synthetic signals that replicate propagation loss, multipath effects, and other channel characteristics without requiring physical anechoic rooms or complex electromagnetic shielding structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes physical electromagnetic channel reproduction with digital signal processing techniques. Instead of using physical structures to reproduce communication conditions, the system uses software-defined channel emulators that generate equivalent effects through mathematical models of the communication channel, thereby eliminating the need for heavy physical equipment.
2Measurement precision
If physical reproduction of communication conditions is used for calibration, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-characterizes communication channels by measuring or obtaining channel impulse responses in advance, then stores these characteristics in a database. During calibration, the system retrieves pre-computed channel models and applies them directly, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time physical reproduction of communication conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of channel characteristics that can be rapidly instantiated and modified without physical reconfiguration. The channel emulator generates virtual representations of different communication scenarios (indoor, outdoor, urban, rural) that can be switched between instantly, dramatically reducing calibration time compared to physical reproduction methods.
3Reliability
If physical reproduction of communication conditions is used for calibration, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a channel emulator as an intermediary device between the device under test and the actual communication channel. This intermediary generates signals that replicate channel effects in a controlled laboratory environment, providing reliable calibration results while simplifying operation through automated signal generation and processing without requiring complex physical setups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables flexible adjustment of channel characteristics through parameter modification in the digital domain. Instead of physically reconfiguring complex electromagnetic environments, the system changes channel parameters (propagation loss, multipath components, delay spread) through software controls, making the calibration process simpler and more adaptable to different scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for improving testing and/or calibration efficiency of radio frequency system. In some embodiments, a testing system includes a beamformer radio frequency system, in which the beamformer radio frequency system includes first transceiver circuitry and a first plurality of antennas coupled to the first transceiver circuitry, a beamformee radio frequency system, in which the beamformee radio frequency system includes second transceiver circuitry and a second plurality of antennas coupled to the second transceiver circuitry, one or more wired connections coupled between the first transceiver circuitry of the beamformer radio frequency system and the second transceiver circuitry of the beamformee radio frequency system, in which each of the one or more wired connections bypasses the first plurality of antennas of the first radio frequency system and the second plurality of antennas of the second radio frequency system.