RF Transceiver OTA Testing via Relative Power Difference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless device testing systems face challenges in accurately determining receiver sensitivity and transmitter power levels in a wireless test environment due to variables like signal attenuation and multipath effects, especially after full assembly, which requires determining absolute signal path loss, increasing testing complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A method for testing RF data packet signal transceivers via a wireless signal medium that estimates OTA signal path loss using earlier performance characteristics, allowing for final functional testing without wired connections, by transmitting and receiving data packet signals while altering power levels to determine receiver sensitivity and comparing with expected values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless signal path testing is used for fully assembled DUT, then testing can be performed without wired connections and antenna system effects are included, but determining absolute signal path loss becomes problematic due to positioning sensitivity and variables like signal attenuation and multipath effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from absolute signal path loss to relative power differences. By measuring the difference between transmitted tester signal power and received DUT signal power, the method eliminates the need to determine absolute path loss, thereby resolving the positioning sensitivity issue while maintaining measurement precision for receiver sensitivity and transmitter power level testing.
2Measurement precision
If absolute signal path loss determination is required for wireless testing, then receiver sensitivity and transmitter power levels can be accurately determined, but testing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement information (power difference) from the complex absolute path loss determination process. By taking only the difference between transmitted and received power levels, the method achieves accurate receiver sensitivity and transmitter power level measurement without requiring complex absolute path loss calibration, thereby reducing testing system complexity and costs.
3Measurement precision
If conductive signal paths are used for testing, then absolute signal path loss can be determined, but antenna system effects and wireless signal issues cannot be included
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/conductive signal path testing method with a wireless electromagnetic signal testing method. By using radio frequency signals transmitted through the air instead of conductive cables, the method enables inclusion of antenna system effects and wireless signal issues while maintaining the ability to determine power differences through the innovative measurement approach.
Data Source
AI summary
Method for testing a radio frequency (RF) data packet signal transceiver device under test (DUT) via a wireless signal medium that enables final functional testing of a fully assembled DUT without requiring wired signal connections. System performance characteristics indicative of manufacturing assembly defects, such as defective antennas or subsystem connections, can be performed using over the air (OTA) test signals communicated wirelessly between the DUT and a tester. By using actual DUT performance characteristics determined during earlier manufacturing tests, such as receiver sensitivity and transmitter power, and known power levels available from the tester transmitter, the OTA signal path loss (i.e., attenuation of the wireless signal) can be estimated and used to confirm the final state of system operation.