RF Device Chain DUT Contribution Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining the contribution of a single device in a radio frequency (RF) device chain is challenging due to interaction among devices, time-variant systems, and the need for isolation, which often results in systematic errors and costly maintenance, especially when the signal properties have changed.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that capture quasi-simultaneous signal portions at the input and output of the device under test (DUT) within the RF device chain, using time domain capturing devices and a processing unit to align and compare these signals, eliminating the need for a reference signal and reducing maintenance requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the device under test is isolated for single device testing, then measurement precision of the DUT contribution is improved, but maintenance cost and time increase due to re-calibration of the RF device chain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces capturing devices as intermediaries that record signal portions at specific nodes within the RF device chain. These capturing devices enable non-intrusive measurement that does not require isolating the DUT from the chain, thus avoiding re-calibration while still allowing precise contribution determination through subsequent signal comparison and processing.
2Measurement precision
If the device under test is isolated for single device testing, then measurement precision of the DUT contribution is improved, but device complexity increases due to isolation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Capturing devices are inserted as intermediaries at strategic nodes in the RF device chain to record signal portions. This approach enables measurement without physical isolation of the DUT, maintaining system simplicity while achieving precise contribution determination through digital signal processing of the captured data.
3Device complexity
If signal analysis is performed at different points in the chain at different times, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to systematic errors from time-variant system changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having capturing devices record signal portions at multiple nodes simultaneously or near-simultaneously before any system changes occur. This pre-capturing approach freezes the system state, eliminating time-variant errors while keeping the analysis system simple. The captured signals are then processed offline to determine DUT contribution without requiring complex real-time coordinated analysis.
4Measurement precision
If a reference signal is used for autocorrelation when the input signal is unknown, then measurement precision may be improved, but reliability deteriorates due to signal property changes and systematic errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to determine DUT contribution autonomously using only the captured signal portions from the RF device chain. By comparing signals captured at different nodes through processing operations, the system derives all necessary information without external reference signals. This self-sufficient approach eliminates reliability issues associated with reference signal mismatches while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for determining at least one contribution of at least one device under test (DUT) are described. The DUT may be part of a radio frequency (RF) device chain. The method includes capturing a first signal portion at a first node associated with an input of the DUT and capturing a second signal portion at a second node associated with an output of the DUT. The first signal portion and the second signal portion are captured quasi-simultaneously. The method may also include aligning the captured first signal portion and the captured second signal portion with each other temporally, and determining the contribution of the DUT by comparing the first signal portion and the second signal portion.