Wireless Emulation Waveform Testing for IoT Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional testing technologies face challenges in testing IoT devices and other wireless devices, especially in wireless environments struggling to support BYOD and IoT applications, due to the lack of general-purpose processors and standardized network hardware in these devices.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for testing wireless devices by recording and storing wireless emulation waveforms from each type of device, allowing a test server to transmit these waveforms to a wireless device emulator within the target environment, enabling verification of device operation and performance metric determination before actual deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional testing technology is used, then testing can be performed on devices with general-purpose processors and standardized network hardware, but IoT devices without these components cannot be tested
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the IoT device's wireless communication behavior through recorded waveforms. Instead of requiring the actual physical device with its specific hardware constraints, the system records the wireless signals (waveforms) exchanged between the device and network, then replays these recordings in a virtual testing environment. This allows testing of IoT devices without general-purpose processors by using waveform copies that replicate the device's communication patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces waveform files as an intermediary between the IoT device and the testing system. The recording module captures actual wireless communications, converts them into waveform files, and the playback module uses these waveform files to simulate device behavior. This intermediary waveform representation bridges the gap between devices lacking standard hardware and the testing infrastructure, enabling testing through signal-level abstraction rather than hardware-level interaction.
2Reliability
If wireless devices are tested in actual wireless environments, then real-world performance can be verified, but network capacity is consumed and deployment is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs testing actions in advance by recording waveforms during device operation and creating virtual test scenarios before actual deployment. The system captures wireless communications during normal device operation, processes these into waveform files, and stores them for future playback and testing. This preliminary waveform capture and virtual testing allows performance verification to occur before the device is physically deployed to production environments, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of wireless environments and device behaviors through waveform recordings. Instead of physically deploying devices to multiple test locations, the system records actual wireless communications and replays them in controlled virtual environments. This copying approach allows repeated testing of the same device behavior under different simulated conditions without consuming additional network capacity or delaying deployment timelines.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of wireless devices are tested, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but testing complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal testing framework that handles multiple device types through a single waveform-based interface. The recording module can capture waveforms from any wireless device, the storage module maintains waveform files for various device types, and the playback module can replay waveforms for any supported device. This universal waveform approach allows the same testing infrastructure to accommodate diverse wireless devices (IoT sensors, mobile phones, tablets, wearables) without requiring device-specific testing hardware or complex configuration, achieving multi-functionality through signal-level abstraction.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for testing wireless devices is disclosed. In some examples, a system for testing wireless devices in wireless environments comprises a test server and a wireless device tester implemented on the test server. The test server includes at least one processor and memory storing, for each wireless device of different types of wireless devices, a wireless emulation waveform received from the wireless device during operation of the wireless device. The wireless device tester is configured for receiving emulation requests specifying wireless devices and wireless environments for testing. The wireless device tester is configured for transmitting, for each request, a responsive wireless emulation waveform to a wireless device emulator physically located in the specified wireless environment and determining a performance metric for the wireless device within the specified wireless environment.