SDR Analog Gain Configuration for Load Test Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current load testing techniques face challenges in accurately configuring analog gains for software defined radios (SDRs) during load tests, leading to suboptimal uplink decode performance and inability to emulate requested throughputs, especially when channel modeling and power control are involved, without information on external RF loss between the SDR and the base station.
Innovation Solution
The SDR is capable of dynamically adjusting analog gains based on digital gain values measured during a calibration test, allowing for accurate and dynamic selection of analog and digital gains, enabling efficient load testing even without information on external RF loss, and facilitating automatic uplink transmission power calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed analog gain is used in SDR during load test, then device complexity is reduced, but uplink decode performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic analog gain adjustment based on measured digital gain values from calibration tests. The SDR transitions from fixed analog gain to dynamically configurable analog gain, allowing the system to adapt gain settings based on actual channel conditions and power control requirements, thereby improving uplink decode performance without excessive complexity increase
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs calibration tests to measure digital gain values, then uses these measurements as feedback to configure the optimal analog gain setting. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the analog gain is properly configured based on actual system performance, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and performance
2Ease of operation
If analog gain is configured without external RF loss information, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The SDR performs self-calibration by conducting calibration tests and measuring its own digital gain values. The system determines the optimal analog gain setting based on its own performance characteristics without requiring external RF loss information, making the system easier to operate while maintaining accurate gain configuration through self-measurement and self-configuration
3Reliability
If dynamic analog gain adjustment is implemented, then uplink decode performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calibration tests beforehand to measure digital gain values and determine the optimal analog gain setting before actual load testing begins. This preliminary configuration step simplifies the overall process by pre-determining gain settings, reducing the complexity of real-time adjustments while maintaining improved uplink decode performance
Data Source
AI summary
A device may determine an analog gain for an aggregated analog signal. The aggregated analog signal may be associated with a calibration test to be used to determine a set of calibration parameters for a load test of a base station. The device may determine the set of calibration parameters for the load test based on an outcome of performing a calibration test. The set of calibration parameters may result in a set of digital gains approximately centered in a digital dynamic gain range. The device may perform the load test after determining the analog gain for the analog signal and based on the set of calibration parameters for the load test.