SIGNAL GENERATOR, METHOD AND TEST SYSTEM FOR TESTING A DEVICE UNDER TEST

• US 20180152371A1
• Filed: 11/30/2016
• Published: 05/31/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: CARDALDA-GARCIA, Adrian, MAIER, Stefan
• Granted Patent: US 10,666,539 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/0085 using test signal generators
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/29 Performance testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/18 Protocol analysers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A signal generator for broadcasting signals to a device under test is described. Said signal generator comprises a broadcasting unit configured to broadcast a signal and a controller unit configured to send a composite signal to the broadcasting unit. Said composite signal emulates several signals from multiple access points. Further, a method and a test system for testing a device under test are described.

Claims

1. A signal generator for broadcasting signals to a device under test, said signal generator comprising:

a broadcasting unit configured to broadcast a signal; and

a controller unit configured to forward a composite signal to the broadcasting unit, said composite signal emulating several signals from multiple access points.

2. The signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said broadcasting unit has one port.

3. The signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said broadcasting unit is configured to interface with said device under test via a single radio frequency connection.

4. The signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said signal generator comprises a data storage being connected to said controller unit.

5. The signal generator according to claim 4, wherein a pre-generated data file is stored in said data storage.

6. The signal generator according to claim 5, wherein said pre-generated data file is configured to provide said composite signal.

7. The signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said signal generator comprises an input panel connected to said controller unit.

8. The signal generator according to claim 7, wherein said input panel provides a graphical user interface.

9. The signal generator according to claim 7, wherein said signal generator is configured such that parameters received via said input panel are processed by said controller unit in order to generate a multiplexed composite signal based upon said parameters input.

10. The signal generator according to claim 9, wherein said multiplexed composite signal is said composite signal emulating several signals from multiple access points.

11. The signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said signal generator comprises a protocol tester.

12. The signal generator according to claim 11, wherein said protocol tester is connected to outputs of said device under test, in particular wherein said protocol tester is connected to said device under test via a link, for instance a cable connection, a radio link, a radio frequency connection and/or a LTE connection.

13. The signal generator according to claim 11, wherein said protocol tester is configured to evaluate data received from said device under test with respect to expected data based upon said composite signal.

14. The signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said composite signal comprises at least one of different communication standards, different network standards, different communication protocols and different network protocols, in particular downlink LTE transmitter points, WIFI access points and/or Bluetooth transmitters.

15. The signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said controller unit is further configured to change parameters of said composite signal in order to avoid signal pulses overlapping in time.

16. The signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said controller unit is configured to simulate multiple access points each transmitting an individual signal.

17. The signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said signal generator is a vector signal generator.

18. A method for testing a device under test, comprising the following steps:

providing a signal generator, in particular a signal generator according to claim 1; and

broadcasting a single composite signal that emulates several signals from multiple access points.

19. A test system for testing a device under test, comprising:

a device under test; and

a signal generator according to claim 1.

20. The test system for testing a device under test according to claim 19, wherein a protocol tester is provided, said protocol tester being a separate unit with respect to said signal generator.