Radio Access Point Testing via RSSI Monitoring and Attenuator Path Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio access point testing methods fail to accurately distinguish between external noise interference and radio characteristic degradation, leading to unreliable normalcy confirmation tests, especially in environments with high RSSI levels due to external noise or multiple connected terminals.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves monitoring RSSI in the forward link and adjusting the path loss in the reverse link to ensure the testing access terminal's initial transmission power reaches the access point, and using a fixed transmission power or superimposing white noise to isolate the impact of external noise on the test signal, allowing for precise evaluation of radio access point normalcy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the testing access terminal controls transmission power to maintain constant packet error rate, then the abnormal state detection capability is improved, but the transmission power becomes steadily high which cannot be distinguished from external noise interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a variable attenuator as an intermediary component in the signal path between the testing access terminal and the radio access point. This attenuator mediates the signal transmission by introducing controlled signal loss, allowing the system to differentiate between high transmission power caused by external noise versus high transmission power indicating radio characteristic degradation. The attenuator enables precise measurement by creating a known reference condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission power parameter dynamically during the testing process. Instead of maintaining constantly high transmission power, the system varies the transmission power level and measures the corresponding packet error rate at different power levels. This parameter change approach allows differentiation between external noise conditions and actual radio characteristic degradation by observing how the system responds to power variations.
2Ease of operation
If the normalcy confirming test is executed while service is continued, then the convenience for maintenance is improved, but external noise and interference power enter the forward link causing high RSSI which affects test accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the testing function into a separate testing access terminal that operates independently from regular service terminals. This segmentation allows the test signal to be transmitted through a dedicated path with controlled characteristics, separating the measurement function from the service function. The variable attenuator further segments the signal path to create isolated measurement zones, enabling accurate testing even when service is ongoing and external noise is present.
3Measurement precision
If the transmission power is controlled to be high to maintain constant packet error rate, then the detection of reception sensitivity degradation is improved, but the calling connection may fail when RSSI is high due to external noise
Solution Approach 1:
The variable attenuator serves as a mediator that compensates for high RSSI conditions caused by external noise. When external noise elevates the RSSI level, the attenuator introduces controlled signal loss to balance the overall signal level, ensuring that the testing access terminal can maintain reliable calling connection while still performing accurate reception sensitivity measurements. This mediation allows the system to operate successfully under varying noise conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
In a case where reception power in a radio access point is high by external noise, the normalcy of the radio access point is tested. In order to judge the normalcy of the radio characteristic of the radio access point, a test is performed through the calling connection between a testing access terminal in the radio access point and a predetermined device. An RSSI is measured before and after the transmission of a test signal. When the RSSI exceeds a threshold value, the path loss of a reverse link connected from the radio access point to the testing access terminal is increased by an attenuator. Then, reception power in the testing access terminal decreases. Thus, initial transmission power in accordance with the reception power from the testing access terminal is raised and the calling connection of the testing access terminal can be performed even under the external noise.