Test apparatus and method which can simultaneously execute various tests of one or a plurality of radio communication terminals of various types of communication systems

• US 20040266423A1
• Filed: 06/10/2004
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anritsu Corporation
• Original Assignee: Anritsu Corporation
• Inventors: Miyashita, Osamu, Doi, Tsuyoshi, Morikawa, Takayuki
• Granted Patent: US 7,263,355 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/424
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements

Abstract

A test apparatus main body mounted in a single housing has a connection unit, a common bus, terminal control units, measurement units, and a total control unit. The connection unit can connect at least two terminals of identical or different type of communication systems. The terminal control units output test signals including signals that respectively control the terminals which can be connected to the connection unit based on predetermined test programs according to the type of communication systems, and measurement instructions, which are supplied via the common bus. The second measurement units perform measurements designated by the measurement instructions upon reception of response signals which are output from the terminals in response to the test signals from the terminal control units. The total control unit supplies, in advance, the predetermined test programs according to the type of communication systems and outputs the measurement instructions at predetermined timings to the terminal control units.

Claims

1. A test apparatus for a radio communication terminal, comprising:

a single housing; and

a test apparatus main body mounted in the single housing,

the test apparatus main body comprising;

a connection unit to which at least two radio communication terminals of identical or different type of communication systems can be connected;

a common bus;

first and second terminal control units which are parallelly connected between the common bus and the connection unit, and output test signals including signals that respectively control the at least two radio communication terminals which can be connected to the connection unit based on predetermined test programs according to the identical or different type of communication systems, and measurement instructions, which are supplied via the common bus;

first and second measurement units which are parallelly connected between the common bus and the connection unit, and respectively perform measurements designated by the measurement instructions upon reception of response signals which are output from the at least two radio communication terminals in response to the test signals from the first and second terminal control units; and

a total control unit which supplies, in advance, the predetermined test programs according to the type of communication systems of the at least two radio communication terminals and outputs the measurement instructions at predetermined timings to the first and second terminal control units.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein two radio communication terminals are connected to the connection unit, and

the total control unit instructs the first and second terminal control units to control the first and second measurement units at timings at which the first and second measurement units can measure the response signals from the two radio communication terminals in different times.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein two radio communication terminals are connected to the connection unit, and

the total control unit instructs the first and second terminal control units to control the first and second measurement units at timings at which the first and second measurement units can measure the response signals from the two radio communication terminals in different times, and instructs the first and second measurement units to parallelly perform measurements of first and second measurement items different from each other for at least one of the two radio communication terminals.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one radio communication terminal having a predetermined type of communication system that allows a communication while roaming between a plurality of base stations is connected to the connection unit, and

the total control unit controls the first and second terminal control units to load and execute predetermined test programs according to the predetermined type of communication system, controls the first terminal control unit to transmit a test signal as one base station simulator to the radio communication terminal, and controls the second terminal control unit to transmit a test signal as another base station simulator to the radio communication terminal so as to conduct a hand-over test.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one radio communication terminal having two different type of communication systems that allow a communication while roaming between two base stations of different type of communication systems is connected to the connection unit, and

the total control unit controls the first and second terminal control units to load and execute predetermined test programs according to the different type of communication systems, controls the first terminal control unit to transmit a test signal as a base station simulator of one type of communication system to the radio communication terminal, and controls the second terminal control unit to transmit a test signal as a base station simulator of another type of communication system to the radio communication terminal so as to conduct a hand-over test between the base two station simulators of the different type of communication systems.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one radio communication terminal having two different type of communication systems is connected to the connection unit,

the first and second terminal control units output test signals for controlling the radio communication terminal in accordance with the two different type of communication systems via the common bus,

the first and second measurement units receive and measure response signals, which are output from the radio communication terminal in response to the test signals of the two different type of communication systems received from the first and second terminal control units, via the common bus, and

the total control unit controls the first terminal unit and the first measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of the radio communication terminal in accordance with one of the two different type of communication systems, and then controls the second terminal unit and the second measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of the radio communication terminal in accordance with another of the two different type of communication systems.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a data processing section which combines data measured by the first and second measurement units for each radio communication terminal.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the total control unit has a function of implementing at least one of

a. a first arrangement for, when the at least two radio communication terminals connected to the connection unit adopt an identical type of communication system, making the first and second terminal control units load and execute predetermined test programs corresponding to the identical type of communication system so as to control the first terminal control unit and the first measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of one of the at least two radio communication terminals, and to control the second terminal control unit and the second measurement unit to perform control and measurement of another of the at least two radio communication terminals,

b. a second arrangement for, when at least two radio communication terminals connected to the connection unit adopt different type of communication systems, making the first and second terminal control units respectively load and execute predetermined test programs corresponding to the different communication systems so as to control the first terminal control unit and the first measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of one of the at least two radio communication terminals, and to control the second terminal control unit and the second measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of another of the at least two radio communication terminals, and

c. a third arrangement for, when one radio communication terminal having two different type of communication systems is connected to the connection unit, making the first and second terminal control units respectively load and execute predetermined test programs corresponding to the two different type of communication systems so as to control the first terminal control unit and the first measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of the radio communication terminal based on one of the two different type of communication systems, and to control the second terminal control unit and the second measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of the radio communication terminal based on another of the two different communication systems.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the total control unit has a function of implementing at least one of

a. a first arrangement for, when the at least two radio communication terminals connected to the connection unit adopt an identical type of communication system, making the first and second terminal control units load and execute predetermined test programs corresponding to the identical type of communication system so as to control the first terminal control unit and the first measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of one of the at least two radio communication terminals, and to control the second terminal control unit and the second measurement unit to perform control and measurement of another of the at least two radio communication terminals,

b. a second arrangement for, when at least two radio communication terminals connected to the connection unit adopt different type of communication systems, making the first and second terminal control units respectively load and execute predetermined test programs corresponding to the different communication systems so as to control the first terminal control unit and the first measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of one of the at least two radio communication terminals, and to control the second terminal control unit and the second measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of another of the at least two radio communication terminals,

c. a third arrangement for, when one radio communication terminal having two different type of communication systems is connected to the connection unit, making the first and second terminal control units respectively load and execute predetermined test programs corresponding to the two different type of communication systems so as to control the first terminal control unit and the first measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of the radio communication terminal based on one of the two different type of communication systems, and to control the second terminal control unit and the second measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of the radio communication terminal based on another of the two different type of communication systems, and

d. a fourth arrangement for, when one radio communication terminal of a predetermined type of communication system is connected to the connection unit, making the first terminal control unit load and execute a predetermined test program corresponding to the predetermined type of communication system, thereby to control the radio communication terminal and the first and second measurement units to simultaneously perform measurement processes of different functions or performance of the radio communication terminal.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the total control unit has a function of selectively implementing, in addition to the arrangements a, b, c, and d, one of

e. a fifth arrangement for, when one radio communication terminal of a predetermined type of communication system is connected to the connection unit, making the first terminal control unit transmit a test signal including an interference signal to the radio communication terminal, and making the second terminal control unit load and execute a predetermined test program corresponding to the predetermined type of communication system so as to control the radio communication terminal and to conduct an interference test based on a response from the radio communication terminal.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the total control unit further comprises a console, a display unit, a data memory for storing measurement results measured by the first and second measurement units for the at least two radio communication terminals, and a display control section for reading out the measurement results from the data memory upon reception of an instruction from the console, and displaying the readout measurement results on the display unit.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the display control section selectively displays at least one of the measurement results of the at least two radio communication terminals and measurement conditions designated by measurement instructions upon reception of an instruction from the console.

13. A test method for a radio communication terminal, comprising:

a) preparing a test apparatus main body mounted in a single housing,

the test apparatus main body comprising;

a connection unit to which at least two radio communication terminals of identical or different type of communication systems can be connected;

a common bus;

first and second terminal control units which are connected between the common bus and the connection unit;

first and second measurement units which are connected between the common bus and the connection unit; and

a total control unit which is connected to the common bus and stores predetermined test programs according to the identical or different type of communication systems and measurement instructions in an internal memory,

b) making the total control unit supply, in advance, the predetermined test programs according to the identical or different type of communication systems of the at least two radio communication terminals and output the measurement instructions at predetermined timings to the first and second terminal control units;

c) making the first and second terminal control units output test signals including signals that respectively control the at least two radio communication terminals which can be connected to the connection unit based on predetermined test programs according to the identical or different type of communication systems, and measurement instructions, which are supplied via the common bus; and

d) making the first and second measurement units perform measurements designated by the measurement instructions upon reception of response signals which are output from the at least two radio communication terminals in response to the test signals from the first and second terminal control units.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein two radio communication terminals are connected to the connection unit, and

the total control unit instructs the first and second terminal control units to control the first and second measurement units at timings at which the first and second measurement units can measure the response signals from the two radio communication terminals in different times.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein two radio communication terminals are connected to the connection unit, and

the total control unit instructs the first and second terminal control units to control the first and second measurement units at timings at which the first and second measurement units can measure the response signals from the two radio communication terminals in different times, and instructs the first and second measurement units to parallelly perform measurements of first and second measurement items different form each other for at least one of the two radio communication terminals.

16. A method according to claim 13, wherein one radio communication terminal of a predetermined type of communication system that allows a communication while roaming between a plurality of base stations is connected to the connection unit, and

the total control unit controls the first and second terminal control units to load and execute predetermined test programs according to the predetermined type of communication system, controls the first terminal control unit to transmit a test signal as one base station simulator to the radio communication terminal, and controls the second terminal control unit to transmit a test signal as another base station simulator to the radio communication terminal so as to conduct a hand-over test.

17. A method according to claim 13, wherein one radio communication terminal having two different type of communication systems that allow a communication while roaming between two base stations of the different type of communication systems is connected to the connection unit, and

the total control unit controls the first and second terminal control units to load and execute predetermined test programs according to the different type of communication systems, controls the first terminal control unit to transmit a test signal as a base station simulator of one type of communication system to the radio communication terminal, and controls the second terminal control unit to transmit a test signal as a base station simulator of another type of communication system to the radio communication terminal so as to conduct a hand-over test between the two base station simulators of the different type of communication systems.

18. A method according to claim 13, wherein at least one radio communication terminal having two different type of communication systems is connected to the connection unit,

the first and second terminal control units output test signals for controlling the radio communication terminal in accordance with the two different type of communication systems via the common bus,

the first and second measurement units receive and measure response signals, which are output from the radio communication terminal in response to the test signals of the two different type of communication systems received from the first and second terminal control units, via the common bus, and

the total control unit controls the first terminal unit and the first measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of the radio communication terminal in accordance with one of the two different type of communication systems, and then controls the second terminal unit and the second measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of the radio communication terminal in accordance with another of the two different type of communication systems.

19. A method according to claim 13, further comprising preparing a data processing section, and

wherein the data processing section combines data measured by the first and second measurement units for each radio communication terminal.

20. A method according to claim 13, wherein the total control unit has a function of implementing at least one of

a. a first arrangement for, when the at least two radio communication terminals connected to the connection unit adopt an identical type of communication system, making the first and second terminal control units load and execute predetermined test programs corresponding to the identical type of communication system so as to control the first terminal control unit and the first measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of one of the at least two radio communication terminals, and to control the second terminal control unit and the second measurement unit to perform control and measurement of another of the at least two radio communication terminals,

b. a second arrangement for, when at least two radio communication terminals connected to the connection unit adopt different type of communication systems, making the first and second terminal control units respectively load and execute predetermined test programs corresponding to the different type of communication systems so as to control the first terminal control unit and the first measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of one of the at least two radio communication terminals, and to control the second terminal control unit and the second measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of another of the at least two radio communication terminals, and

c. a third arrangement for, when one radio communication terminal having two different type of communication systems is connected to the connection unit, making the first and second terminal control units respectively load and execute predetermined test programs corresponding to the two different type of communication systems so as to control the first terminal control unit and the first measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of the radio communication terminal based on one of the two different type of communication systems, and to control the second terminal control unit and the second measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of the radio communication terminal based on another of the two different type of communication systems.

21. A method according to claim 13, wherein the total control unit has a function of implementing at least one of

a. a first arrangement for, when the at least two radio communication terminals connected to the connection unit adopt an identical type of communication system, making the first and second terminal control units load and execute predetermined test programs corresponding to the identical type of communication system so as to control the first terminal control unit and the first measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of one of the at least two radio communication terminals, and to control the second terminal control unit and the second measurement unit to perform control and measurement of another of the at least two radio communication terminals,

b. a second arrangement for, when at least two radio communication terminals connected to the connection unit adopt different type of communication systems, making the first and second terminal control units respectively load and execute predetermined test programs corresponding to the different type of communication systems so as to control the first terminal control unit and the first measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of one of the at least two radio communication terminals, and to control the second terminal control unit and the second measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of another of the at least two radio communication terminals,

c. a third arrangement for, when one radio communication terminal having two different type of communication systems is connected to the connection unit, making the first and second terminal control units respectively load and execute predetermined test programs corresponding to the two different type of communication systems so as to control the first terminal control unit and the first measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of the radio communication terminal based on one of the two different type of communication systems, and to control the second terminal control unit and the second measurement unit to perform control and measurement processes of the radio communication terminal based on another of the two different type of communication systems, and

d. a fourth arrangement for, when one radio communication terminal of a predetermined type of communication system is connected to the connection unit, making the first terminal control unit load and execute a predetermined test program corresponding to the predetermined type of communication system, thereby to control the radio communication terminal and the first and second measurement units to simultaneously perform measurement processes of functions or performance of the radio communication terminal.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the total control unit has a function of selectively implementing, in addition to the arrangements a, b, c, and d, one of

e. a fifth arrangement for, when one radio communication terminal of a predetermined type of communication system is connected to the connection unit, making the first terminal control unit transmit a test signal including an interference signal to the radio communication terminal, and making the second terminal control unit load and execute a predetermined test program corresponding to the predetermined type of communication system so as to control the radio communication terminal and to conduct an interference test based on a response from the radio communication terminal.

23. A method according to claim 13, wherein the total control unit further comprises a console, a display unit, a data memory for storing measurement results measured by the first and second measurement units for the at least two radio communication terminals, and a display control section for reading out the measurement results from the data memory upon reception of an instruction from the console, and displaying the readout measurement results on the display unit.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the display control section selectively displays at least one of the measurement results of the at least two radio communication terminals and measurement conditions designated by measurement instructions upon reception of an instruction from the console.