US 6,525,657 B1 · Apparatus and method for production testing of the RF performance of wireless communications devices

Abstract

A radio frequency (RF) multi-testing apparatus and method for rapid (e.g. production line) testing of a wireless communications device for operational adherence of the device to a pre-determined reference specification defining specific absorption rate (SAR) parameters correlated to the device and for simultaneous testing of the body loss of the device. The device is positioned within an RF shielded enclosure and operated at a test transmit power. A linear array of E-field isotropic probes (e.g. five) are positioned at a predetermined location in the container within human tissue simulation matter and measure the electric-field therein. A plurality of RF isotropic probes are spatially distributed within the container and measure the RF power received thereby, with the container providing reflective surfaces therein. Computer processing apparatus compares the electric-field measurements to the SAR reference specification and determines therefrom whether the device adheres to the specification. The computer processing apparatus also combines the RF power measurements and produces a value representing the averaged integrated body loss of the device. The determination of whether the device adheres to the SAR specification also determines a measure of the metallic system integrity of the device.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A radio frequency (RF) testing apparatus for rapid testing of a wireless communications device for operational adherence of said device to a pre-determined reference specification defining specific absorption rate (SAR) parameters correlated to said device, said device being positioned within an RF shielded enclosure and operating at a test transmit power during said testing, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a plurality of means for measuring electric-field, said measuring means being configured for positioning at a pre-determined location within human tissue simulation matter, for taking a measurement of an electric-field at said location and for transmitting a signal corresponding to said measurement;
and,
(b) means for receiving said signals corresponding said measurements, for comparing said measurements to said SAR reference specification and for determining therefrom whether said device adheres to said specification.

A radio frequency (RF) multi-testing apparatus for rapid simultaneous testing of the body loss of a wireless communications device and operational adherence of said device to a pre-determined reference specification defining specific absorption rate (SAR) parameters correlated to said device, said multi-testing device comprising:

(a) an RF shielded enclosure having reflective surfaces therein;
(b) an array of means for measuring electric-field wherein said array is configured for positioning at a predetermined location in said enclosure, each said means for measuring electric-field being configured for taking a measurement of an electric-field within human tissue simulation matter at said location and for transmitting a signal corresponding to said measurement of electricfield;
(c) a plurality of RF power measuring means for spatial distribution within said container, for taking measurements of the RF power received thereby and for transmitting signals corresponding to said RF power measurements;
and,
(d) means for receiving said signals corresponding to said RF power and electric-field measurements, for comparing said electric-field measurements to said SAR reference specification and for determining therefrom whether said device adheres to said specification, and for combining said RF power measurements and producing a value representing the averaged integrated body loss of said device.

2 more elements

A method for rapid radio frequency (RF) testing of a wireless communications device in a production line environment for the manufacture of said device, said device being positioned within an RF shielded enclosure and operating at a test transmit power during said testing, and said device having a pre-determined reference specification defining specific absorption rate (SAR) parameters correlated thereto, said method comprising the steps:

(a) providing human tissue simulation matter within said enclosure;
(b) providing a plurality of means for measuring electric-field at a pre-determined location within said human tissue simulation matter, said electric-field measuring means taking measurements of an electric-field at said location and transmitting signals corresponding to said measurements;
(c) receiving said signals corresponding said measurements, comparing said measurements to said SAR reference specification and determining therefrom whether said device adheres to said specification.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for production testing of the RF performance of wireless communications devices

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for production testing of the RF performance of wireless communications devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23