Methods for reducing path loss while testing wireless electronic devices with multiple antennas

A method for using a test station to test a device under test that includes at least first and second antenna structures, wherein the test station includes a test enclosure and a test antenna within the test enclosure, the method comprising:

• switching the second antenna structure out of use;
• after switching the second antenna structure out of use and while the device under test is mated with a test fixture within the test enclosure, positioning the device under test in a first orientation that minimizes over-the-air radio-frequency signal path loss for radio-frequency signals traveling between the test antenna and the first antenna structure;
• performing radio-frequency measurements on the first antenna structure while the device under test is in the first orientation, wherein radio-frequency measurements are only performed on the first antenna structure while the device under test is in the first orientation;
• switching the first antenna structure out of use and switching the second antenna structure into use;
• after switching the first antenna structure out of use and switching the second antenna structure into use and while the device under test is mated with the test fixture, positioning the device under test in a second orientation that minimizes over-the-air radio-frequency signal path loss for radio-frequency signals travelling between the test antenna and the second antenna structure;
• and
• performing radio-frequency measurements on the second antenna structure while the device under test is in the second orientation, wherein radio-frequency measurements are only performed on the second antenna structure while the device under test is in the second orientation.

A method for using a test station to test a device under test that includes at least first and second antenna structures, wherein the test station includes a test enclosure and a near field communications element within the test enclosure, the method comprising:

• positioning the device under test in a first orientation, wherein the first antenna structure is positioned closer to the near field communications element than the second antenna structure in the first orientation;
• while the device under test is in the first orientation, receiving radio-frequency signals from the first antenna structure of the device under test with the near field communications element using near field electromagnetic coupling without receiving any radio-frequency signals from the second antenna structure of the device under test with the near field communications element while the device under test is in the first orientation, wherein radio-frequency signals are only received from the first antenna structure when the device under test is positioned in the first orientation;
• positioning the device under test in a second orientation that is different from the first orientation, wherein the second antenna structure is positioned closer to the near field communications element than the first antenna structure in the second orientation;
• and
• while the device under test is in the second orientation, receiving radio-frequency signals from the second antenna structure of the device under test with the near field communications element using near field electromagnetic coupling without receiving any radio-frequency signals from the first antenna structure of the device under test with the near field communications element while the device under test is in the second orientation, wherein radio-frequency signals are only received from the second antenna structure when the device under test is positioned in the second orientation.