Socket Device for Transceiver Loopback Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transceiver testing systems face inefficiencies and inaccuracies, particularly when testing transceivers with multiple receiver and transmitter arrays, as they require complex connection/disconnection processes and may not accurately distinguish between receiver and transmitter issues in loopback tests.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a socket device with an input coupler, power divider, combiner, and output coupler allows for efficient and accurate testing of transceivers by enabling external testing modes or loopback modes, facilitating simultaneous testing of all transmitters and receivers with reduced hardware connections and improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional testing systems test each transmitter and receiver separately with multiple connections, then testing accuracy is improved, but device complexity and testing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a socket device as an intermediary component between the transceiver and testing equipment. This socket device includes an input coupler, power divider, combiner, and output coupler that facilitate signal distribution and collection. By using this intermediary socket device, the system can test multiple transmitters and receivers simultaneously through a single connection to the signal generator and a single connection to the signal tester, thereby reducing connection complexity while maintaining testing accuracy through proper signal routing and combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple testing functions into a single integrated socket device. The power divider combines multiple output paths from a single input signal, and the combiner merges multiple transmitter outputs into a single signal path to the tester. This merging approach allows simultaneous testing of multiple transmitters and receivers through unified connection points, reducing the number of required connections while preserving individual component testing capability.
2Productivity
If loopback testing is used to reduce testing time, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates as transmitter and receiver issues cannot be distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the testing capability into two distinct modes implemented through the same socket device: external testing mode and loopback testing mode. The external testing mode connects the signal generator and signal tester to the transceiver through the socket device's input coupler and output coupler, enabling separate identification of transmitter and receiver issues. The loopback mode redirects the signal path through the combiner back to the input coupler, enabling rapid self-test. This segmentation allows the system to choose the appropriate mode based on whether speed or diagnostic precision is the priority.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket device dynamically switches between external testing configuration and loopback testing configuration based on operational requirements. The switching mechanism allows the signal path to be reconfigured without physical reconnection, enabling the system to transition between high-precision external testing and high-speed loopback testing. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by allowing the same hardware to optimize for either speed or accuracy depending on the testing phase or requirement.
3Measurement precision
If multiple connections are made for comprehensive testing, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to repeated connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the socket device with all necessary signal routing paths, power dividers, and combiners before the actual testing begins. The socket device is designed with built-in switching capability that allows immediate transition between testing modes without requiring physical reconnection. This preliminary preparation of the testing infrastructure eliminates the time-consuming connection and disconnection operations while maintaining the capability for comprehensive external testing when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a signal distributor to multiple receivers, a signal combiner from multiple transmitters, a switch between external and loopback modes, and an interface to both signal generator and signal tester. This multi-functionality allows a single socket device to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate connection setups, enabling comprehensive testing capability without the time penalty of repeated connections. The universal design consolidates multiple testing pathways into one integrated interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: generating, via a testing signal source, a test transmission signal; receiving the test transmission signal at an input port of a socket device having the input port, an input coupler, a divider, a combiner, an output coupler and an output port; providing, via the input coupler, an input signal based on the test transmission signal; providing, via the divider, portions of the input signal to each of respective inputs of m receivers of a transceiver having n transmitters and the m receivers; combining, via the combiner, signals provided at the respective outputs of the n transmitters into a combined output signal; providing a coupled output signal to the input coupler; providing a measured output signal to the output port; providing, via the output port, the measured output signal to a receiving signal measuring device; and testing, via the receiving signal measuring device, the measured output signal.