Multi-Antenna Panel Transmission Testing With a Single Probe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating multi-antenna panel transmission and reception in wireless communication devices, particularly in FR2, are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive, and do not accurately reflect the device's ability to maintain coverage when the best beam is blocked.
Innovation Solution
A single testing probe is used to capture performance data from all antenna panels, allowing for post-processing to evaluate multi-panel transmission and reception, and interference between panels is limited to ensure reliable coverage, considering a second-best beam to mitigate blockage issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple test probes are used to measure all transmission and reception directions around a device, then measurement completeness is improved, but testing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single test probe is designed to perform multiple measurement functions by sequentially measuring different antenna panels. The probe can measure both first antenna panel and second antenna panel transmissions, as well as both first and second antenna panel receptions, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized probes. This multi-functional approach maintains measurement completeness while reducing testing complexity and cost.
2Loss of time
If multiple test probes are used to measure all antenna panels simultaneously, then measurement time is reduced, but testing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The testing process uses periodic action by sequentially measuring different antenna panels in a structured sequence. The single probe systematically cycles through measuring the first antenna panel transmission, second antenna panel transmission, first antenna panel reception, and second antenna panel reception. This periodic measurement approach efficiently utilizes the single probe to gather all necessary data without requiring simultaneous multi-probe operation, thereby reducing cost while maintaining reasonable testing time.
3Reliability
If antenna panels transmit at high power, then signal strength is improved, but interference between panels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The testing process segments the measurement into distinct phases where each antenna panel is measured separately. During first antenna panel transmission measurement, the second antenna panel remains inactive or at minimal power, and vice versa. This temporal segmentation of high-power transmissions eliminates mutual interference between panels while still allowing each panel to transmit at the necessary high power levels for accurate measurement of signal strength and EIRP.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of different antenna panels during testing. Rather than all panels transmitting simultaneously at fixed power levels, the testing methodology dynamically activates only the relevant panel for each measurement phase. This dynamic approach allows optimal power levels for each individual measurement while preventing interference that would occur with simultaneous high-power transmission from multiple panels.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a communication device (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) that transmits a first signal via a first antenna panel of a set of antenna panels to a first transmission-reception point (TRP) in a first transmission direction, and transmits a second signal via a second antenna panel to a second TRP in a second transmission direction. The communication device limits interference between the first antenna panel and the second antenna panel, where the interference by the first antenna panel is limited based on effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) from the first antenna panel in the second transmission direction toward the second TRP, and the interference by the second antenna panel is limited based on the EIRP from the second antenna panel in the first transmission direction toward the first TRP.