Signal generation apparatus and signal generation method

A signal generation apparatus comprising:

• a radio frequency (RF) converter configured to convert an analog signal for testing into an analog RF signal;
• at least one controller configured to control an output level of the analog signal such that the output level does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value;
• an RF base module configured to convert a digital base band signal for testing into an intermediate frequency (IF) signal and to output the IF signal to the RF converter as the analog signal for testing;
• and
• a reference table that associates a clipping amount with the output level of the analog RF signal,
• wherein the RF converter is configured to convert the analog signal for testing into the analog RF signal by frequency-converting the IF signal, and
• wherein the at least one controller is further configured to clip the IF signal output from the RF base module based on the output level of the analog RF signal output from the RF converter such that:
• when the output level of the analog RF signal is set, the at least one controller is further configured to calculate a threshold value of clipping power based on the reference table, and
• when a power of the digital base band signal exceeds the threshold value, the RF base module is configured to clip the IF signal according to the clipping amount in the reference table.

A signal generation method using a signal generation apparatus comprising a radio frequency (RF) converter configured to convert an analog signal for testing into an analog RF signal, wherein the RF converter comprises:

• a power amplifier configured to amplify the analog signal, and a switch that-configured to selectively switch between a first path and a second path, the first path passing through the power amplifier and the second path bypassing the power amplifier, the method comprising:
• controlling an output level of the analog signal such that the output level does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value;
• and
• switching the switch from the first path to the second path based on temperature fluctuations in the RF converter, disconnection of an RF cable that inputs the analog signal for testing to the RF converter, or activation of a signal source that generates the analog signal for testing.