US 2019/0356397 A1 · Over-the-Air Test Fixture using Antenna Array

Abstract

Various embodiments are presented of a system and method for testing (e.g., rapidly and cheaply) devices with antennas configured for radio frequency (RF) and/or millimeter wave (mmW) transmission and/or reception. A device to be tested (e.g., the device under test (DUT)) may be mounted to an interface in a measurement fixture (e.g., a socket, anechoic chamber, etc.). Power and data connections of the DUT may be tested over the interface, which may also provide connections for input/output signals, power, and control and may also provide positioning. RF characteristics (e.g., including transmission, reception, and/or beamforming) of the DUT may be tested over-the-air using an array of antennas or probes.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for performing over the air production testing of a device under test (DUT), the method comprising:

installing the DUT in a testing position, wherein the testing position is in a measurement fixture, wherein the testing position comprises connections for power, control, and data to the DUT;
transmitting, to the DUT, a wireless signal based on a test input, wherein the test input is transmitted using an array of testing antennas and a first receive pattern definition, wherein the first receive pattern definition comprises at least one impairment, wherein the at least one impairment comprises a pattern impairment;
receiving, from the DUT, a first output signal based on the wireless signal, wherein the first output signal comprises one of:
a modulation signal received by the DUT;
or
a quality metric of the modulation signal received by the DUT;
and
determining, based at least in part on the first output signal, whether the DUT meets a quality standard.

5 more elements

A method for performing over the air production testing of a device under test (DUT), the method comprising:

installing the DUT in a testing position, wherein the testing position is in a measurement fixture, wherein the testing position comprises connections for power, control, and data to the DUT;
causing the DUT to transmit a wireless signal based on a test input using a first pattern definition;
performing a plurality of measurements of the wireless signal using an array of antennas connected to at least one instrument, wherein the at least one instrument is configured to measure the wireless signal;
comparing the plurality of measurements of the wireless signal to a plurality of expected measurements based on the first pattern definition;
and
determining, based at least in part on the comparison, whether the DUT meets a quality standard.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Over-the-Air Test Fixture using Antenna Array

Life of this patent

Over-the-Air Test Fixture using Antenna Array

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20