Abstract: A digital communications test system and method for testing a plurality of devices under test (DUTs) in which multiple sets of a single vector signal analyzer (VSA) and single vector signal generator (VSG) can be used together to perform error vector magnitude (EVM) measurements for one or more DUTs in parallel, including one or more of composite, switched and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) EVM measurements. This allows N pairs of a VSA and VSG to test N DUTs with N×N MIMO in substantially the sane time as a single VSA and VSG pair can test a single DUT, thereby allowing a substantial increase in testing throughput as compared to that possible with only a single VSA and VSG set.

Abstract: A method of using tester data packet signals and control instructions for testing a radio frequency (RF) data packet signal transceiver device under test (DUT) capable of communicating using multiple radio access technologies (RATs) having one or more mutually distinct signal characteristics. During mutually alternating time intervals, selected ones of which are substantially contemporaneous, tester data packet signals and control instructions are used for concurrent testing and configuration for testing, respectively, of multiple RATs of the DUT.

Abstract: A system and method for testing a radio frequency (RF) multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) device under test (DUT) in which system costs are minimized by using fewer precision RF MIMO testing subsystems together with lower precision integrated RF MIMO signal conversion circuitry to test the DUT.

Abstract: A method for testing a data packet signal transceiver device under test (DUT) that minimizes time lost due to waiting for respective power levels of data packets transmitted by the DUT to settle at the desired nominal value for transmit signal testing. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, signals transmitted by the DUT during receive signal testing, e.g., as acknowledgement data packets, are transmitted at the nominal value for transmit signal testing, thereby allowing sufficient time for individual data packet signal power levels to settle and remain consistent at the nominal value by the time receive signal testing is completed and transmit signal testing is to begin.

Abstract: System and method for confirming radio frequency (RF) signal connections with multiple devices under test (DUTs) tested concurrently using replicas of a RF test signal. Cabled signal connections between the signal source and the DUTs are monitored by sensing levels of outgoing and related reflection RF signals. These signal levels are compared against similar signal levels when the outgoing RF signals are provided to reference impedances. Alternatively, the cabled signal connections have lengths of known signal wavelengths and the RF test signal frequency is swept such that minimum and maximum time delays between the outgoing and reflection RF signals go through minimum and maximum signal cycles with a difference of at least one full cycle. The reflection RF signal magnitude and phase are monitored, from which peak and valley signal level differences and phase changes are identified to determine return loss and phase changes indicative of DUT connection.

Abstract: System and method for using multiple data packet signal testers having narrower data packet signal bandwidths for testing multiple data packet signal transmitters having wider data packet signal bandwidths. Using multiple data packet signal testers with narrower receiver bandwidths to process respective portions of the wider bandwidth of the data packet signals produced by the devices under test (DUTs) enables use of lower cost, narrower-bandwidth test equipment to test wide-bandwidth signals.

Abstract: A method of using tester data packet signals and control instructions for testing a radio frequency (RF) data packet signal transceiver device under test (DUT) capable of communicating using multiple radio access technologies (RATs) having one or more mutually distinct signal characteristics. During mutually alternating time intervals, selected ones of which are substantially contemporaneous, tester data packet signals and control instructions are used for concurrent testing and configuration for testing, respectively, of multiple RATs of the DUT.

Abstract: A method of using tester data packet signals and control instructions for testing multiple data packet signal transceiver devices under test (DUTs). During mutually alternating time intervals, selected ones of which are substantially contemporaneous, multiple tester data packet signals and DUT control instructions are used for concurrent testing of multiple DUTs.

Abstract: A method for testing a data packet signal transceiver device under test (DUT) that minimizes time lost due to waiting for respective power levels of data packets transmitted by the DUT to settle at the desired nominal value for transmit signal testing. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, signals transmitted by the DUT during receive signal testing, e.g., as acknowledgement data packets, are transmitted at the nominal value for transmit signal testing, thereby allowing sufficient time for individual data packet signal power levels to settle and remain consistent at the nominal value by the time receive signal testing is completed and transmit signal testing is to begin.

Abstract: A method for using a test data packet signal to test a data packet signal transceiver device under test (DUT) having an operating characteristic defined by a data packet error rate (PER) as a function of data packet signal power (PWR). The test data packet signal power is varied and a test PER is computed as a function of DUT response data packets and test data packets until a measured test PER or a computed test PER extrapolated from measured PERs is equal to a predetermined PER less than and greater than maximum and minimum PERs, respectively.

Abstract: Methods for measuring the sensitivity of a data packet signal receiver are provided by varying the power level or modulation or both of a received data packet signal in a predetermined controlled sequence of data packet signals.

Abstract: A system and method for initiating testing of a plurality of communication devices. The tester and devices under test (DUTs) are first synchronized as a way of confirming test readiness on the part of the DUTs, Following that, a test sequence is initiated by the tester. The synchronization and test initiation can be accomplished using signals with differing signal magnitudes or device identifiers. The test sequence can be a DUT transmit signal test in which each DUT transmits data packets in accordance with one or more predefined test sequences. Alternatively, the test sequence can be a DUT receive signal test in which the tester transmits data packets to the DUTs with differing signal frequencies or signal magnitudes.

Abstract: A local oscillator (LO) of a test system is set to an initial frequency whereupon a device under test (DUT) transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal to the test system. Characteristics of the RF signal are measured with the test system and used to identify magnitudes and frequencies of spurious signal products. The LO of the test system is reset to one or more subsequent frequencies that are offset from the initial frequency. One or more subsequent RF signals are transmitted from the DUT to the test system, with the DUT maintaining its original signal settings. Characteristics of the subsequent RF signals are measured with the test system and used to identify magnitudes and frequencies of spurious signal products for each of the subsequent LO frequencies. The spurious signal products that have shifted in frequency for each of the subsequent LO frequencies as self-generated signal products can then be identified.

Abstract: A system and method for testing signal reception by a data packet signal transceiver. By monitoring signals provided to and returning from a device under test (DUT), e.g., stimulus and response signals, respectively, it can be determined whether and when the DUT has received a faulty data packet or received a valid data packet in a faulty manner. When such events occur, appropriate control signals are provided for instructing the test signal reception and analysis subsystem (e.g., a vector signal analyzer) to capture and retain for analysis such faulty data packet or valid data packet received in a faulty manner. This enables the data packet reception test results to identify the number of data packets correctly received within the prescribed time interval and identify which data packet reception faults are due to reception of a faulty data packet or reception of a valid data packet in a faulty manner.

Abstract: A system and method for using a N×N multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) data packet signal transceiver for testing multiple data packet signal transceivers. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, a N×N MIMO access point can be used for simultaneous testing of multiple single input, single output (SISO) data packet signal transceivers. Selective data packet signal corruption (e.g., in the form of data packet signal attenuation), allows for individual testing of the transmit signals from respective ones of the data packet signal transceivers.

Abstract: The invention described herein utilizes devices under test (DUTs) outfitted with stored, predefined test sequences, testers equipped with vector-signal generation (VSG) and vector-signal analysis (VSA) functionality, and novel methods for combining loopback and single-ended test functions in order to obtain higher testing efficiency for DUTs using Bluetooth or other time-division duplex (TDD) based communications.

Abstract: Method and system for facilitating testing of multiple time-division-duplex (TDD) data packet signal transceivers. Replicas of a data packet signal are transmitted by a tester to multiple TDD devices under test (DUTs), where the replicated signal is either a null or TDD data packet signal. In one embodiment, replica null data packet signals are transmitted for a predetermined time interval sufficient for the DUTs to synchronize with the tester. In another embodiment, following successful and unsuccessful receptions of responsive signals from respective DUTs indicating successful reception of their respective replica TDD data packet signals and, therefore, synchronization with the tester, corresponding replica TDD data packet signals are provided with data packet signal characteristics causing such replica data packet signals to fail to conform or to conform, respectively, with a predetermined data packet signal standard.

Abstract: System and method for facilitating testing of multiple data packet signal transceivers involving data-packet-signal replication and one or more status signals indicating successful and unsuccessful receptions of confirmation signals. Based upon the one or more status signals, one or more control signals cause the replicated data packet signals to be distributed to the devices under test (DUTs) such that, following successful and unsuccessful receptions of confirmation signals, corresponding replicated data packet signals are caused to fail to conform in part or to conform, respectively, with a predetermined data packet signal standard.

Abstract: A system and method for testing signal reception by a data packet signal transceiver. By monitoring signals provided to and returning from a device under test (DUT), e.g., stimulus and response signals, respectively, it can be determined whether and when the DUT has received a faulty data packet or received a valid data packet in a faulty manner. When such events occur, appropriate control signals are provided for instructing the test signal reception and analysis subsystem (e.g., a vector signal analyzer) to capture and retain for analysis such faulty data packet or valid data packet received in a faulty manner. This enables the data packet reception test results to identify the number of data packets correctly received within the prescribed time interval and identify which data packet reception faults are due to reception of a faulty data packet or reception of a valid data packet in a faulty manner.

Abstract: System and method for confirming radio frequency (RF) signal connections with multiple devices under test (DUTs) tested concurrently using replicas of a RF test signal. Cabled signal connections between the signal source and the DUTs are monitored by sensing levels of outgoing and related reflection RF signals. These signal levels are compared against similar signal levels when the outgoing RF signals are provided to reference impedances. Alternatively, the cabled signal connections have lengths of known signal wavelengths and the RF test signal frequency is swept such that minimum and maximum time delays between the outgoing and reflection RF signals go through minimum and maximum signal cycles with a difference of at least one full cycle. The reflection RF signal magnitude and phase are monitored, from which peak and valley signal level differences and phase changes are identified to determine return loss and phase changes indicative of DUT connection.