Transmitter Power Settling via Receiver Test Acknowledgement Packets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless device test systems experience significant time losses due to waiting for transmitter signal power to settle during testing, which can exceed the actual test time and increase manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
By coordinating the transmission of acknowledgement data packets during receiver testing to initiate and complete transmitter power settling, allowing immediate start of transmitter testing without additional delay, and enabling parallel testing of multiple devices to reduce overall test time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If transmitter testing is performed immediately after receiver testing, then test sequence is simple, but transmitter output power is unstable causing false negatives and requiring test packet disregard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing receiver testing before transmitter testing to allow the transmitter output circuitry to settle into steady-state operation before actual transmitter measurements begin. This preliminary receiver testing phase serves as a warm-up period that stabilizes the transmitter power output, ensuring reliable transmitter test results without requiring complex power stabilization circuits.
2Reliability
If initial test data packets are disregarded during transmitter testing, then false negatives are avoided, but test time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by making the receiver testing phase serve dual purposes: it performs necessary receiver measurements while simultaneously acting as a power-stabilization period for the transmitter. This eliminates the need for separate settling periods or disregard of initial test packets, as the transmitter is already stabilized when transmitter testing begins, maintaining continuous useful testing action throughout.
3Productivity
If test equipment sophistication is increased to reduce settling time, then test speed improves, but equipment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing the transmitter's own operational characteristics and the existing receiver testing phase to provide the necessary power stabilization. Rather than adding external stabilization equipment or sophisticated power control circuits, the system uses the natural settling behavior of the transmitter during receiver testing to achieve stable output power, allowing standard equipment to achieve high test speeds.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for testing a data packet signal transceiver device under test (DUT) that minimizes time lost due to waiting for respective power levels of data packets transmitted by the DUT to settle at the desired nominal value for transmit signal testing. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, signals transmitted by the DUT during receive signal testing, e.g., as acknowledgement data packets, are transmitted at the nominal value for transmit signal testing, thereby allowing sufficient time for individual data packet signal power levels to settle and remain consistent at the nominal value by the time receive signal testing is completed and transmit signal testing is to begin.