Signal generator, method and test system for testing a device under test

• US 10,666,539 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2016
• Issued: 05/26/2020
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Aung, Sai
• Application Number:
  US15/365,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20180152371A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,273 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 being configured to test said device under test for location based services by simulating multiple access points, said signal generator comprising:

a broadcasting unit configured to broadcast a single composite signal to said device under test, the broadcasting unit having a single broadcast antenna;

said signal generator comprising a controller unit configured to create said single composite signal which emulates several individual signals that do not come from said multiple access points but are generated by the signal generator to simulate coming from said multiple access points, said single composite signal being a multiplexed composite signal,

said controller unit configured to forward said single composite signal to the broadcasting unit to broadcast over said single broadcast antenna, and

said signal generator configured to use a single baseband for transmitting said single composite signal, such that multiple broadcast antennas simulating several access points in a test system are not required.

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 said multiplexed composite signal based upon said parameters input.

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

11. The signal generator according to claim 10, 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.

12. The signal generator according to claim 10, 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.

13. 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, different network protocols, different times, different frequencies and different signal strengths, in particular downlink LTE transmitter points, WIFI access points and/or Bluetooth transmitters.

14. 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.

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

16. A method for testing a device under test, for location based services by simulating multiple access points, the method comprising:

providing a signal generator for broadcasting signals to said device under test, said signal generator comprising a broadcasting unit configured to broadcast a single composite signal to said device under test, said signal generator further comprising a controller unit configured to create said single composite signal which emulates several individual signals that do not come from said multiple access points but are generated by the signal generator to simulate coming from said multiple access points, said controller unit being further configured to forward said composite signal to the broadcasting unit having a single broadcast antenna; and

broadcasting said single composite signal that emulates said several individual signals from said multiple access points, in order to test said device under test for said location based services by simulating said multiple access points, wherein a single baseband is used to transmit said single composite signal, and wherein said single composite signal is a multiplexed composite signal, such that multiple broadcast antennas simulating several access points in a test system are not required.

17. A test system for testing device under test, comprising:

a device under test and a signal generator for broadcasting signals to a device under test,

said signal generator being configured to test said device under test for location based services by simulating multiple access points,

said signal generator comprising a broadcasting unit having a single broadcast antenna configured to broadcast a single composite signal to said device under test,

said signal generator comprising a controller unit configured to create said single composite signal which emulates several individual signals that do not come from said multiple access points but are generated by the signal generator to simulate coming from said multiple access points,

said single composite signal being a multiplexed composite signal,

said controller unit being configured to forward said single composite signal to the broadcasting unit; and

said signal generator being configured to use a single baseband for transmitting said single composite signal, such that multiple broadcast antennas simulating several access points in a test system are not required.

18. The test system according to claim 17, wherein a protocol tester is provided, said protocol tester being a separate unit with respect to said signal generator.

19. A signal generator for broadcasting signals to a device under test, said signal generator being configured to test said device under test for location based services by simulating multiple access points, said signal generator comprising:

a broadcasting unit configured to broadcast a composite signal to said device under test;

an input panel; and

a controller unit connected to said input panel,

said controller unit being configured to process parameters received via said input panel in order to generate the composite signal and forward the composite signal to the broadcasting unit having a single broadcast antenna, said composite signal emulating several signals from multiple access points, said composite signal being a single composite signal of multiple multiplexed frequency channels that do not come from said multiple access points but are generated by the control unit to simulate said multiple access points each transmitting an individual signal, such that multiple broadcast antennas simulating several access points in a test system are not required.