Self-test method for antennas

• US 20060197538A1
• Filed: 05/25/2005
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Leinonen, Marko, Rousu, Seppo
• Application Number:
  US11/136,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20060197538A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/533
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/19 Self-testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/20 of receivers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a radio communication apparatus for checking antenna interface connections of first antenna means of the radio communication apparatus, wherein a predetermined signal is transmitted at a frequency within a reception band of the first antenna means by using a second antenna means of the radio communication apparatus. The transmitted predetermined signal is received through the first antenna means to obtain a reception output which is compared with the predetermined signal. Thereby, a self-test option can be provided in the communication apparatus, e.g. mobile phone, so that no extra components are required during manufacturing and antenna operation can be continuously monitored during usage.

Claims

1. A method for checking antenna interface connections of a radio frequency communication apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

a) transmitting a predetermined signal at a predetermined frequency of a transmitter of said radio frequency communication apparatus;

b) receiving said transmitted predetermined signal through a receiver of said radio-frequency communication apparatus to obtain a reception output; and

c) comparing said reception output with said transmitted predetermined signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitter and said receiver are connected to a same physical antenna.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitter and said receiver are each using an associated antenna.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is a continuous wave signal.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is a communication signal.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said communication signal comprises at least one of a voice call signal, a data call signal and any other signaling signal.

7. The method according to claim 1, where said transmitted predetermined signal comprises a fundamental frequency signal.

8. The method according to claim 1, where said transmitted predetermined signal comprises a harmonic frequency signal.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is transmitted at a normal transmission system frequency band.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is transmitted outside a normal frequency system band.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is transmitted at a normal reception frequency system band.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is received at a normal reception system frequency band.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is received outside a normal frequency system band.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is transmitted at a lever lower than an allowed maximum spurious signal level at a used transmission band.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is transmitted at a level lower than an allowed maximum spurious signal level at a used reception band.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is transmitted at a level lower than an allowed maximum spurious signal level outside used communication system bands.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein said comparing step comprises calculating an insertion loss between a transmitting means for transmitting said predetermined signal and a receiving means for receiving said transmitted predetermined signal and generating said reception output.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of storing said calculated insertion loss.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of comparing said calculated insertion loss to a predetermined threshold value.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said predetermined threshold value is stored in a terminal device during production.

21. The method according to claim 17, wherein said predetermined threshold value is determined previously by a terminal device.

22. The method according to claim 17, wherein several threshold values are provided for different antenna connection failure mechanisms.

23. The method according to claim 1, wherein said checking method is performed when a multi-antenna communication apparatus is powered up.

24. The method according to claim 1, wherein said checking method is performed when a predetermined communication system is activated.

25. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of generating an error message to a user or using a properly working uplink connection to an operator or a service provider when said comparing step leads to a result that an antenna is not properly operating.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein said error message is displayed.

27. The method according to claim 1, wherein said checking method is initiated in response to an output of a sensor

28. The method according to 27, where said sensor comprises an acceleration sensor.

29. The method according to 27, wherein said sensor comprises a moisture sensor.

30. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of synchronizing timings of said transmitting step and said receiving step.

31. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of setting said timing so that said transmitting step is the only transmission at that time.

32. The method according to claim 1, wherein multiple individual antenna measurements are done and an antenna with a poor connection is isolated based on said antenna measurements.

33. The method according to claim 1, wherein said receiver of radio-frequency apparatus is a power detection circuitry.

34. The method according claim 1, wherein the predetermined ignal is received with the power detection circuitry.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein information from the power detection circuitry is compared to the said transmitted predetermined signal power.

36. The method according the claim 1, wherein information of the pre-determined signal is received via the receiver and via a power detection circuitry, wherein individual pieces of information can be combined in a suitable way.

37. A computer program product embodied within a computer-readable medium, when loaded into a memory of a computer device, said computer program produce comprising code means for performing the steps of:

a) transmitting a predetermined signal at a predetermined frequency of a transmitter of said radio frequency communication apparatus;

b) receiving said transmitted predetermined signal through a receiver of said radio frequency communication apparatus to obtain a reception output; and

c) comparing said reception output with said transmitted predetermined signal.

38. A radio communication apparatus for checking antenna interface connections of an antenna of a radio frequency communication apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

a) means for transmitting a predetermined signal at a predetermined frequency of a transmitter of said radio frequency communication apparatus;

b) means for receiving said transmitted predetermined signal through a receiver of said radio frequency communication apparatus to obtain a reception output; and

c) means for comparing said reception output with said transmitted predetermined signal.

39. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said transmitter and said receiver are connected a same physical antenna.

40. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said transmitter and said receiver are each using an associated antenna.

41. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is a continuous wave signal.

42. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is a communication signal.

43. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said communication signal comprises at least one of a voice call signal, a data call signal and any other signaling signal.

44. The apparatus according to claim 38, where said transmitted predetermined signal comprises a fundamental frequency signal.

45. The apparatus according to claim 38, where said transmitted predetermined signal comprises a harmonic frequency signal.

46. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is transmitted at a normal transmission system frequency band.

47. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is received at a normal reception system frequency band.

48. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said transmitted predetermined signal is received outside a normal frequency system band.

49. The apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising storing means for storing a calculated insertion loss.

50. The apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising comparing means for comparing a calculated insertion loss to a predetermined threshold value.

51. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said predetermined threshold value is stored in a terminal device.

52. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said predetermined threshold value is determined previously by a terminal device.

53. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein several threshold values are provided for different antenna connection failure mechanisms.

54. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein a first antenna means comprises a WCDMA antenna and a second antenna means comprises a GSM antenna.

55. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein a first antenna means comprises a GSM antenna and a second antenna means comprises a Bluetooth antenna.

56. The according to claim 38, wherein a first antenna means comprises a GSM antenna and a second antenna means comprises a GPS antenna.

57. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein a first antenna means comprises a GSM antenna and a second antenna means comprises a DVB-H antenna.

58. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said communication apparatus comprises a mobile phone, smart phone, PDA or laptop computer.

59. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said receiver of radio-frequency apparatus is a power detection circuitry.

60. The apparatus according claim 59, wherein the predetermined signal is received with the power detection circuitry.

61. The apparatus according to claim 59, wherein the information from the power detection circuitry is compared to the said transmitted predetermined signal power.

62. The apparatus according to claim 59, wherein the predetermined signal is received by the power detection circuitry through a decoupling element.

63. The apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the decoupling element is implemented with a capacitor.

64. The apparatus according the to claim 62, wherein the decoupling element is implemented with a directional coupler.

65. The apparatus according the claim 38, wherein information of the predetermined signal is received via the receiver and via a power detection circuitry.