Transceiver Testing With Spatial Correction Values
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RF testing methods for antenna arrays in wireless communication systems either fail to accurately account for spatial behavior, leading to incomplete compliance with test specifications, or require excessive effort, especially during mass production.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage RF test concept that combines Over-The-Air (OTA) testing for antenna validation with modified RF conducted testing, transforming spatially unaware test quantities into spatially aware ones to account for beamforming capabilities and radiation patterns, reducing testing effort while ensuring accurate compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If RF conducted tests are performed with fixed phase relations between antenna elements, then testing effort is low, but spatial behavior and radiation patterns are not accurately accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining correction values based on OTA measurements of the antenna array's radiation patterns before conducting the RF conducted tests. These correction values are calculated in advance to compensate for the fixed phase relation limitation, allowing the subsequent conducted tests to accurately reflect spatial behavior without requiring complex real-time phase adjustments during testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces correction values as an intermediary element that mediates between the simple fixed-phase conducted test setup and the complex spatial behavior requirements. These correction values, derived from OTA measurements, act as a bridge that allows standard conducted test equipment to achieve accurate spatial performance assessment without requiring complex test instrumentation or setup.
2Measurement precision
If all possible phase relations between antenna elements are tested to increase accuracy, then spatial behavior is accurately captured, but testing effort increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the complex spatial measurements in advance through OTA testing to determine correction values, which are then stored and applied during routine conducted tests. This preliminary action separates the complex measurement task from the routine testing task, allowing accurate spatial characterization to be performed once during antenna validation and then reused for all subsequent production tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the spatial test scenario by using correction values that replicate the effect of complex phase relationships. Instead of physically testing all possible phase relations during production, the correction values serve as a mathematical copy that captures the essential spatial behavior, allowing standard conducted test equipment to assess spatial performance accurately.
3Measurement precision
If OTA testing is used to accurately measure radiation patterns, then spatial behavior is captured, but testing effort and cost increase significantly during mass production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the testing process into two distinct phases: (1) Antenna validation phase using OTA testing to determine correction values, and (2) Production testing phase using simple conducted tests with applied correction values. This segmentation allows the complex and expensive OTA testing to be performed only once during antenna array validation, while routine production testing uses the much simpler and faster conducted test method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the time-consuming OTA measurements and radiation pattern characterization in advance during antenna validation. The results are stored as correction values that are then applied during rapid conducted tests in production. This preliminary action eliminates the need to repeat expensive OTA testing for every production unit, dramatically reducing testing effort and cost during mass production.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments relate to a concept for testing a transceiver device (302) which may be coupled to an antenna array (312), the antenna array (312) comprising at least two an antenna elements. It is provided (204) spatial radiation characteristics of an antenna reference or the antenna array (312) and at least one antenna element of the antenna array. It is determined (206), based on the spatial radiation characteristics and a predefined test quantity for a spatially unaware receiver or transmitter test of the transceiver device (302), a spatially aware test quantity for testing the transceiver device (302) using the spatially unaware receiver or transmitter test based on the determined spatially aware test quantity.