Near-field MIMO wireless transmit power measurement test systems, structures, and processes

• US 8,824,588 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2012
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NETGEAR, Inc.
• Original Assignee: NETGEAR, Inc.
• Inventors: Emmanuel, Joseph Amalan Arul, Hummel, Jonathan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, SIU M
• Application Number:
  US13/710,250
• Publication Number:
  US 20140161164A1
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 375/316, 375/224, 375/295, 375/228, 375/267, 455/115, 455/423, 455/115.1, 455/115.3, 455/425, 455/424, 455/67.11, 455/115.4, 455/66.1, 455/67.12, 455/67.14, 455/68
• US Class Current: 375/267
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/10 of transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/73 for taking measurements, e.g. using sensing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0413 MIMO systems

Abstract

Systems, processes, and structures provide near-field transmit power measurement for MIMO wireless devices (DUT), such as for any of product development, product verification, and/or production testing. A test signal, such as comprising a pulse train signal, is provided to a MIMO device under test (DUT), wherein portions of the test signal controllably steered and sequentially transmitted from each of the device antennas, to one or more test antennas that are positioned in close proximity to the MIMO DUT. The near-field power of the received test signals is measured, to quickly and efficiently determine if one or more data streams of the MIMO DUT has a problem.

Claims

1. A process, comprising the steps of:

positioning a multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) device with respect to at least one test antenna, wherein the MIMO device comprises a plurality of transmission (Tx) paths, wherein each of the plurality of Tx paths has a corresponding MIMO antenna associated therewith, and wherein the MIMO device is positioned such that the MIMO antennas are located proximate the at least one test antenna for near field testing;

powering the MIMO device;

providing a pulse train signal to the MIMO device, wherein the pulse train signal comprises a corresponding pulse for each of the Tx paths; and

for each of the plurality of Tx paths, sending an uplink signal associated with the corresponding pulse from the MIMO antenna that corresponds to the currently tested Tx path, receiving the uplink signal from the corresponding MIMO antenna through the at least one test antenna, measuring the power of the received uplink signal, and

providing an output based on the measured power for the currently tested Tx path.

2. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

comparing the measured power of the received uplink signal for each of the plurality of Tx paths to a threshold level;

wherein the provided output is based on the comparison.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein the threshold level comprises any of a stored threshold or a determined threshold.

4. The process of claim 2, wherein if the measured power of the received uplink signal for one or more of the plurality of Tx paths is less than the threshold level, the provided output comprises an indication that there is a problem with the MIMO device.

5. The process of claim 4, wherein the indication comprises an identification of which Tx path of the MIMO device has an output power level that is lower than the threshold level.

6. The process of claim 4, further comprising the step of:

diverting the MIMO device from a production line.

7. The process of claim 6, wherein the diversion of the MIMO device comprises diverting the device to any of a reject area or a rework area.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein the MIMO antennas are positioned within 10 mm from the at least one test antenna.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein the at least one test antenna comprises a plurality of test antennas.

10. The process of claim 8, wherein the number of the test antennas matches the number of MIMO antennas, and wherein the MIMO antennas and the test antennas are configured to provide a similar spacing between corresponding antenna pairs.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the MIMO antennas are positioned within 10 mm from the at least one test antenna.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one test antenna comprises a plurality of test antennas.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the number of the test antennas matches the number of MIMO antennas, and wherein the MIMO antennas and the test antennas are configured to provide a similar spacing between corresponding antenna pairs.

11. A system, comprising:

a test antenna matrix comprising at least one test antenna;

a MIMO test chamber configured for receiving a MIMO device in close proximity to the test antenna matrix for near field testing, wherein the MIMO device comprises a plurality of transmission (Tx) paths, wherein each of the plurality of Tx paths has a corresponding MIMO antenna associated therewith;

a mechanism for powering the MIMO device;

a mechanism for providing a series of pulses to be sequentially transmitted from individual antennas of the MIMO device;

a mechanism for receiving uplink signals through the test antenna matrix; and

at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to measure the power of the received uplink signal, and

provide an output based on the measured power for a currently tested Tx path.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to compare the measured power of the received uplink signal for each of the plurality of Tx paths with a threshold level;

wherein the provided output is based on the comparison.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the threshold level comprises any of a stored threshold or a determined threshold.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein if the measured power of the received uplink signal for one or more of the plurality of Tx paths is less than the threshold level, the provided output comprises an indication that there is a problem with the MIMO device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the indication comprises an identification of which Tx path of the MIMO device has an output power level that is lower than the threshold level.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a mechanism for diverting the MIMO device from a production line.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the mechanism for diverting the MIMO device comprises any of

a mechanism for diverting the MIMO device to a reject area, or a mechanism for diverting the MIMO device to a rework area.

21. An apparatus, comprising:

a test antenna matrix comprising at least one test antenna;

a mechanism for receiving a MIMO device in close proximity to the at test antenna matrix for near field testing, wherein the MIMO device comprises a plurality of transmission (Tx) paths, wherein each of the plurality of Tx paths has a corresponding MIMO antenna associated therewith;

a mechanism for communicating a test signal to the MIMO device;

a mechanism for individually steering a portion for the test signal to an individual Tx path of the MIMO device, wherein the steered portion is separately transmitted from the individual Tx path through the corresponding MIMO antenna;

a mechanism for receiving the transmitted portion of the steered test signal through the test antenna matrix; and

at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to measure the power of the received transmitted portion of the steered test signal, and provide an output based on the measured power for the received transmitted portion of the steered test signal.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to compare the measured power of the received transmitted portion of the steered test signal with a threshold level;

wherein the provided output is based on the comparison.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the threshold level comprises any of a stored threshold or a determined threshold.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein if the measured power of the received transmitted portion of the steered test signal is less than the threshold level, the provided output comprises an indication that there is a problem with the MIMO device.