Universal Wireless Router Test System with Virtualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current testing systems for wireless devices lack the capability to simultaneously and independently test multiple devices of various types across different interfaces, such as WiFi, LAN, WAN, and MOCA, with real-time, bi-directional communication and virtualization for comprehensive testing.
Innovation Solution
A universal testing system comprising a test station with multiple Faraday cages, each with physical slots for devices under test, connected to test servers via MOCA LAN and WAN harnesses, RF splitters, and virtualization containers for running tests on WiFi, LAN, WAN, and MOCA interfaces, with a user interface for real-time control and monitoring through web sockets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple devices of various types are tested simultaneously across different interfaces, then testing comprehensiveness and productivity are improved, but device complexity and system configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The test server is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple device types (wireless routers, access points, clients) and multiple interface types (WiFi, wired Ethernet, MOCA, DOCSIS) simultaneously through a single unified platform. The virtualization containers enable the same physical server to dynamically adapt to different testing scenarios, eliminating the need for separate dedicated test systems for each device/interface combination.
Solution Approach 2:
Virtualization containers act as intermediaries between the physical test server hardware and the diverse testing requirements. These containers provide a standardized interface layer that abstracts the complexity of different device interfaces, allowing the test server to manage multiple device types through uniform control mechanisms while maintaining isolated testing environments.
2Measurement precision
If real-time bi-directional communication and virtualization are implemented for comprehensive testing, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The test server is segmented into multiple virtualization containers, each dedicated to specific interface types or device categories. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each container for its specific testing function while maintaining precise measurement capabilities. Each container operates as an isolated virtual environment, enabling accurate measurements without cross-contamination from other testing activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtualization infrastructure dynamically changes parameters such as resource allocation, network configuration, and container instantiation based on testing requirements. This enables the system to adapt measurement parameters in real-time for different device types and interface configurations, maintaining high measurement precision across diverse testing scenarios.
3Reliability
If multiple physical slots and Faraday cages are used for isolated testing, then reliability and interference prevention are improved, but device complexity and physical space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple physical slots and Faraday cages are merged into a single integrated test server platform. The virtualization infrastructure combines the isolation benefits of separate physical environments with the space efficiency of consolidated hardware, allowing multiple isolated testing environments to coexist within one physical server through virtual partitioning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simultaneous and independent testing of multiple devices across various interfaces, providing comprehensive performance evaluation of wireless devices, including WiFi throughput, VOIP connections, and MIMO antenna technology, with real-time monitoring and control capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A universal testing system comprising a test station with multiple Faraday cages
Data Source
AI summary
A hardware architecture for a universal testing system used for performing Wifi tests on wireless devices under test (DUT) is disclosed. According to certain embodiments, test information travels from a Wifi port of the test server to the Wifi port's antenna in a Faraday cage, and then travels over the air to DUT's Wifi antenna in the same Faraday cage, and then to a LAN Ethernet port of the DUT, and then to the test server's Ethernet port.