Abstract: System and method for testing transmission and reception performance of a data packet signal transceiver device under test (DUT). Data packet signals transmitted by a tester with a tester transmit output power (TTOP) contain trigger frames that include data corresponding to a reported tester transmit power (RTTP) of the data packet signals, and a desired received signal strength (TRSS) of DUT data packet signals to be received by the tester. Based on received signal strength of the tester data packet signals reported by the DUT (DRSS), responsive DUT data packet signals having a DUT transmit output power of RTTP?DRSS+TRSS. Successive repetitions of such tester and DUT data packet signals for multiple combinations of values of the TTOP, RTTP and DRSS enable testing transmission and reception performance of the DUT, including determining minimum and maximum DUT transmission power levels, with minimal signal interactions between tester and DUT.

Abstract: System and method of testing performance of a data packet signal transceiver (DUT). Multiple DUT signals, with each having a respective DUT transmit power (RDTPn) received by the tester and corresponding to one (IDTPn) of multiple intended DUT transmit powers, for n=1, . . . , m, with a power equal to a minimum IDTP, maximum IDTP, or intermediate IDTP therebetween. Following association of each RDTPn with its IDTPn, a tester signal is sent having a trigger frame and tester transmit output power (TTOP). The trigger frame includes data corresponding to a reported tester transmit power (RTTP), and a desired signal strength (TRSS) of a DUT data packet signal to be received by the tester. A return DUT signal having a RDTPn is received, from which an IDTPn corresponding to the RDTPn is determined and compared to RTTP-TTOP+TRSS.

Abstract: Method for testing a radio frequency (RF) data packet signal transceiver device under test (DUT) via a wireless signal medium that enables final functional testing of a fully assembled DUT without requiring wired signal connections. System performance characteristics indicative of manufacturing assembly defects, such as defective antennas or subsystem connections, can be performed using over the air (OTA) test signals communicated wirelessly between the DUT and a tester. By using actual DUT performance characteristics determined during earlier manufacturing tests, such as receiver sensitivity and transmitter power, and known power levels available from the tester transmitter, the OTA signal path loss (i.e., attenuation of the wireless signal) can be estimated and used to confirm the final state of system operation.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling uses of respective tester points of access (PoAs) during wireless testing of one or more radio frequency (RF) signal transceiver devices under test (DUTs) in which one or more device identifiers are used to determine whether a DUT requesting access to one of multiple wireless PoAs is eligible to interact with the PoA receiving such request or, instead, eligible to interact with another one of the multiple PoAs and is to be redirected to such other PoA. Access by the requesting DUTs to respective PoAs may be predetermined so as to control loading of the PoAs during testing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting faulty elements in an active planar antenna array of an extremely high frequency (EHF) wireless communication device. A planar antenna array having a matrix of dual-polarization modulated scattering probes is disposed within a near-field region of the antenna under test (AUT). Electromagnetic energy received from the AUT is converted to a complex electrical signal that is modulated by an electrical modulation signal and radiated as a scattering signal. The resulting electromagnetic scattering signal, received and converted to an electrical signal by another antenna, is used in a holographic image reconstruction operation via a backward-propagation transformation to reconstruct the signal spectrum radiated from the surface of the AUT. A comparison of this reconstructed signal spectrum with a reference signal spectrum radiated from the surface of a known good antenna array enables detection of faulty antenna elements within the AUT.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting faulty elements in an active planar antenna array of an extremely high frequency (EHF) wireless communication device. A planar antenna array having a matrix of dual-polarization modulated scattering probes is disposed within a near-field region of the antenna under test (AUT). Electromagnetic energy received from the AUT is converted to a complex electrical signal that is modulated by an electrical modulation signal and radiated as a scattering signal. The resulting electromagnetic scattering signal, received and converted to an electrical signal by another antenna, is used in a holographic image reconstruction operation via a backward-propagation transformation to reconstruct the signal spectrum radiated from the surface of the AUT. A comparison of this reconstructed signal spectrum with a reference signal spectrum radiated from the surface of a known good antenna array enables detection of faulty antenna elements within the AUT.

Abstract: A method for testing a data packet signal transceiver device under test (DUT). Following initial signal communications with a DUT, timing of further transmissions by the DUT may be effectively controlled by transmitting congestive communication channel signals to cause the DUT to detect apparent communication channel activity and in response thereto delay its own signal transmissions.

Abstract: A method for coordinating testing of a wireless device under test (DUT) using non-link testing resources. Coordination between the tester and DUT is achieved by transmitting, from the tester to the DUT, predetermined numbers of data packets associated with predetermined tester identification data (e.g., MAC addresses identifying the tester transmitter). During test phases involving measurement and/or calibration of DUT transmit signals, the tester sends a number of data packets associated with one or more versions of tester identification data, in response to which the DUT performs internal operations (e.g., revising transmit power offsets). During later test phases involving validation of DUT performance, the tester sends another number of data packets associated with one or more versions of the tester identification data to inform the DUT that its testing has passed or failed, and/or is to be repeated.

Abstract: A method for testing a device under test (DUT) during a test sequence. In accordance with one embodiment, during a regular, pre-defined test sequence, data packets are transferred from a tester to a device under test (DUT) containing data related to at least one of an identification parameter of the DUT, an operational characteristic of the DUT and a request for data. Examples of such transferred data include address data for identifying the DUT (e.g., a unique media access control (MAC) address) and calibration data for controlling an operational characteristic of the DUT (e.g., signal power levels, signal frequencies or signal modulation characteristics). In accordance with another embodiment, the DUT retrieves and transmits data to the tester, either in response to the request for data or as a preprogrammed response to its synchronization with the tester.

Abstract: A method for improving accuracy of power measurements of low power radio frequency (RF) signals received by a RF signal receiver in which power measurement accuracy taken at a low resolution is compensated with use of multiple RF signal attenuations at a finer resolution. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, incremental RF signal attenuations are applied to the received RF signal. An average of the power measurements, including those with the applied signal attenuations, has a net measurement error less than that of a direct power measurement.

Abstract: A method for improving accuracy of power measurements of low power radio frequency (RF) signals received by a RF signal receiver in which power measurement accuracy taken at a low resolution is compensated with use of multiple RF signal attenuations at a finer resolution. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, incremental RF signal attenuations are applied to the received RF signal. An average of the power measurements, including those with the applied signal attenuations, has a net measurement error less than that of a direct power measurement.

Abstract: System and method for providing variable time delays with high temporal granularity and consistent broadband delay performance for testing of time-of-arrival (ToA) or angle-of-arrival (AoA) performances of radio frequency (RF) signal transceivers. Multiple delays may be imparted to a common RF signal to provide multiple delayed RF signals corresponding to RF signals originating from a source location and received at various locations having respective position coordinates relative to respective orthogonal axes, plus another delayed RF signal corresponding to a RF signal originating from the source location and received at a location at an intersection of the orthogonal axes.

Abstract: System and method for controlling test flow of a radio frequency (RF) signal transceiver device under test (DUT) by inducing an interrupt via an internal signal interface or an external signal interface (with one example of the latter being a baseband signal interface for conveying audio signals). With exemplary embodiments, one or more DUT control signals are provided to or otherwise initiated within the DUT by inducing an interrupt, including inducement via use of the signal interface. With further exemplary embodiments, one or more test control signals are also provided to RF circuitry that responds by transmitting one or more RF receive signals for the DUT and receives from the DUT one or more RF transmit signals related to the one or more DUT control signals.

Abstract: A method for estimating receiver sensitivity of a radio frequency (RF) data packet signal transceiver device under test that relies upon beacon request and response data packets for enabling communication links.

Abstract: A method for assessing receiver signal reception performance during wireless beam steering operation of a radio frequency (RF) data packet signal transceiver capable of multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) operation. In response to transmissions of a sounding packet (SP) from a beamforming device (“beamformer”), a receiving device (“beamformee”) transmits a response data packet containing matrix data representing a beamforming feedback matrix (BFM) related to signal attenuation by the wireless signal path environment through which the beamformer and beamformee are communicating. Using the matrix data, a statistical variation can be computed which is indicative of signal reception performance of the beamformee.

Abstract: Method for testing multiple signal transceiver devices under test (DUTs), such as data packet signal transceivers, with a shared DUT testing resource, such as a tester having a single vector signal generator (VSG) and a single vector signal analyzer (VSA). Requests by the DUTs for access to tester resources (e.g., to receive signals from the signal generator or provide signals to the signal analyzer) are prioritized based upon tester availability and whether the requesting DUT requires sole access or can share access to the tester. If the tester is unavailable, DUT requests are queued according to their respective priorities to await tester availability. As a result, access to shared tester resources can be managed dynamically to minimize test time while testing multiple DUTs concurrently.

Abstract: Method for testing a radio frequency (RF) data packet signal transceiver device under test (DUT) with multiple RF signal transmitters and RF signal receivers capable of concurrent operations. Multiple successions of test data packets from a tester to respective RF signal receivers of the DUT and multiple successions of responsive DUT data packets from respective RF signal transmitters of the DUT to the tester are conveyed such that multiple RF signal transmissions, multiple RF signal receptions, or RF signal transmission and reception are performed at least partially concurrently.

Abstract: A testing apparatus obtains user equipment (UE) parametric measurements with unknown and/or unavailable authentication and security information. The testing apparatus may obtain uplink and downlink parameters of a wireless device after the wireless device initiates registration while an associated timer is activated, enabling the testing apparatus to obtain additional measurement information without security information about the tested wireless device. The apparatus may also measure the UE's transmitted power level prior to the initiation of the authentication procedure. The testing apparatus may determine if a wireless device is to be tested at another frequency pair. If so, the testing apparatus redirects the wireless device to a radio resource at the other frequency pair. The testing apparatus then obtains uplink and downlink parameters for the wireless device by performing pre-registration and intra-registration measurements at the other frequency pair.

Abstract: A method for enabling confirmation of expected phase shifts of radio frequency (RF) signals emitted from respective elements of an antenna array, such as a phased array antenna used for providing directional RF signal radiation patterns needed for beamforming. As a RF signal transmitted via an antenna element of the antenna array is shifted, e.g., stepped, in phase, the resulting received RF signal is monitored. Following detection of a phase shift, a sample of the received RF signal is captured and stored, e.g., for subsequent analysis, such as comparison with one or more expected signal phase differences to characterize the directivity of the transmitted signal.

Abstract: Method for testing a radio frequency (RF) data packet signal transceiver device under test (DUT) including communicating via each one of multiple available signal channels. Data packets exchanged between a tester and DUT as a normal part of a communication link initiation sequence are exchanged in such a manner that the tester transmits with varied signal power via all available channels simultaneously, thereby ensuring that a properly working DUT will transmit in response to reception of tester data packets having sufficient signal power. For example, in the case of a Bluetooth low energy transceiver, advertisement, scan request and scan response data packets can be used in such manner.