FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a test system. Embodiments of the present disclosure further relate to a method for testing a device under test via a testing device.

BACKGROUND

In the state of the art, different types of measurement systems for testing a radio frequency (RF) communication device under test with regard to its over-the-air (OTA) properties are known. Such measurement systems are used to test certain properties of the device under test, particularly certain properties of signals generated by the device under test.

In order to test the device under test, the device under test must be controlled to enter a certain operational mode that is to be tested. For example, the device under test needs to be controlled to enter a sending mode and/or a receiving mode. For this purpose, it is known to connect the device under test to a control device via a cable that is plugged into the device under test.

However, as the device under test needs to be connected to a cable, the measurement process takes more time. Moreover, the cable leading to the device under test may alter the electromagnetic properties of the environment of the device under test such that the measurement results are distorted.

Accordingly, there is a need for a test system as well as a method for testing a device under test that allow for an undisturbed testing of the device under test.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a test system comprising a device under test and a testing device. In an embodiment, the device under test comprises a first initiation unit, wherein the first initiation unit is configured to generate a first wireless initiation signal. The initiation signal consists of at least one of electromagnetic waves and sound waves, wherein the initiation signal comprises a first test command. The testing device comprises a first sensor unit, wherein the first sensor unit is configured to receive the initiation signal via the first sensor unit. The testing device is configured to generate a first electromagnetic test signal based on the first test command

The device under test may be a mobile communication device for 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, for instance 5GNR, and/or LTE, for example a smart phone, a laptop, a tablet, a WLAN router, an internet of things (IoT) device or any other kind of smart device having a communication interface.

The test system according to the disclosure is based on the idea to transmit the first test command from the testing device to the device under test wirelessly, i.e. without a cable leading from the testing device to the device under test. Thus, the electromagnetic properties of the environment of the device under test and/or the ones of the device under test itself are not changed by plugging a cable into the device under test. Moreover, no disturbing objects like the cable are located within a testing chamber used for testing the device under test, for example a shielded chamber, also called anechoic chamber.

Moreover, no additional electromagnetic disturbances are caused by the wireless transmission of the first test command, because the first test command is transmitted to the device under test prior to the actual testing procedure.

The device under test may be provided with suitable software or programmed hardware such that the device under test can process and “understand” the first test command that is transmitted via the electromagnetic waves and/or sound waves from the testing device to the device under test.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first initiation unit is established as a first speaker, wherein the first speaker is configured to generate sound waves, and wherein the first sensor unit is established as a first microphone, wherein the first microphone is configured to receive sound waves.

The sound waves may have a frequency in the audible and/or non-audible frequency range, for example in the ultrasound frequency range. Accordingly, electromagnetic perturbations caused by a movement of a magnet in the first speaker have a frequency being essentially equal to the frequency of the audible or non-audible sound waves. Accordingly, the electromagnetic perturbations may have a frequency that is smaller than 1 MHz.

Thus, the frequency of the electromagnetic perturbations is much smaller than a communication frequency of the device under test, which is typically in the range of 100 MHz to about 200 GHz. Accordingly, testing of the device under test is not impaired by the first initiation signal itself and/or by the generation of the first initiation signal even during an ongoing testing procedure of the device under test.

According to another variant of the present disclosure, the first sensor of the device under test may be configured to detect gestures, for example via radar. Thus, the first initiation unit may be configured as a radar signal generator being configured to generate a radar signal that emulate the radar signature of a gesture. Thus, in this case the first test command is comprised in the emulated gesture or rather in the generated radar signal corresponding to that gesture.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the testing device comprises an antenna being configured to receive the first electromagnetic test signal. Thus, the first electromagnetic test signal can be received and may be analyzed by the testing device in order to test and/or analyze certain properties of the device under test.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the testing device comprises an analysis circuit or module, wherein the analysis module is configured to analyze the first electromagnetic test signal. The analysis module tests certain properties of the device under test by analyzing the first electromagnetic test signal. For example, the testing device may test certain communication layers of the first electromagnetic signal and/or the device under test.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the testing device is configured to simulate a RF communication partner of the device under test. In other words, the second electromagnetic test signal is generated with defined properties such that a certain communication partner for the device under test is simulated by the testing device. For example, the testing device may simulate a mobile communication base station, another mobile communication device, a router, or any other type of RF communication device that is associated with an actual use case of the device under test.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the device under test comprises an initiation unit being configured to generate at least one of electromagnetic waves or sound waves, wherein the testing device comprises a second sensor unit being configured to receive at least one of electromagnetic waves or sound waves. Accordingly, commands and/or requests can also be transmitted from the device under test to the testing device via electromagnetic waves and/or sound waves, such that electromagnetic measurements are not impaired, as already described above with regard to the first initiation signal.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the device under test is configured to generate a second wireless initiation signal via the second initiation unit. The second initiation signal comprises a second test command. The device under test is configured to receive the second initiation signal via the second sensor unit. The device under test is configured to generate a second electromagnetic test signal based on the second test command. The second acoustic signal or rather the second test command may comprise a command for the testing device to enter a certain operational mode, e.g. a RF sending mode and/or a RF receiving mode. Therein, the second test command is transmitted from the device under test to the testing device via electromagnetic waves and/or sound waves, such that electromagnetic measurements are not impaired, as already described above with regard to the first initiation signal.

The device under test may comprise an antenna being configured to receive the second electromagnetic test signal. Thus, the second electromagnetic test signal can be received and may be analyzed by the device under test in order to test and/or analyze certain properties of the device under test.

Accordingly, a bi-directional communication via sound waves and/or via electromagnetic waves may be established between the device under test and the testing device.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the testing device comprises a housing, wherein the housing defines a shielded space, and wherein the device under test is placed in the shielded space. The housing is made of or includes a metal or another suitable material, such that the housing prevents electromagnetic waves from the outside from propagating into the shielded space. Accordingly, the shielded space is free of external electromagnetic waves, such that tests can be performed on the device under test without external electromagnetic perturbations.

Generally, the shielded space may relate to a shielded chamber or rather a shielded box. Typically, the shielded chamber is also called anechoic chamber.

The housing may comprise opening and closing means via which the housing can be opened and closed. In an open state of the housing, the device under test can be inserted into the housing and/or it can be taken out of the housing. For testing purposes, the housing is closed via the opening and closing means.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first initiation unit is located in the shielded space. Accordingly, the first acoustic command signal is generated within the shielded space.

If the testing device comprises a sensor unit, the microphone may also be located in the shielded space.

In some embodiments, the housing comprises a shielded connector extending from the shielded space to an exterior of the housing, wherein the shielded connector is connected to the first initiation unit. The first initiation unit may be contacted via a cable from the outside that is plugged into the shielded connector. This way, the first initiation unit can be contacted from outside of the housing, wherein electromagnetic perturbations are prevented from propagating into the shielded chamber by the shielded connector. Moreover, no cables are located within the shielded space that may have different positions and/or orientations during different tests.

Generally, power and/or data may be transmitted via the cable to the first sensor unit and/or the first initiation unit, for example the units associated with the device under test.

Thus, a comparable shielded space can be ensured for different tests. Hence, benchmarking tests can be guaranteed, as the testing environment is always the same.

If the testing device comprises a sensor unit, the housing may comprise a second shielded connector or the shielded connector may be a common connector for both the first initiation unit and the second sensor unit.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the test system comprises at least a second device under test. The second device under test comprises a sensor unit. The sensor unit of the second device under test is configured to receive electromagnetic waves and/or sound waves. The second device under test is configured to receive the first initiation signal via the sensor unit of the second device under test. The second device under test is configured to generate an electromagnetic test signal based on the first test command. Thus, the test system may be used to simultaneously test several (i.e. at least two) devices under test. This way, an overall testing time per device under test is reduced.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the testing device is configured to simulate a respective RF communication partner for each one of the devices under test. In other words, the second electromagnetic test signal is generated with defined properties such that a certain communication partner for each one of the devices under test is simulated by the testing device. Therein, the same electromagnetic test signal may be used for all devices under test. Alternatively, a distinct electromagnetic signal may be generated for at least two devices under test, for example for all devices under test. Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a test system comprising a device under test and a testing device. The device under test comprises a first initiation unit, wherein the first initiation unit is configured to generate a first wireless initiation signal. The initiation signal consists of at least one of electromagnetic waves and sound waves, wherein the initiation signal comprises a first test command. The testing device comprises a first sensor unit, wherein the first sensor unit is configured to receive the initiation signal via the first sensor unit. The testing device is configured to generate a first electromagnetic test signal based on the first test command.

The test system according to the disclosure is based on the idea to transmit the first test command from the device under test to the testing device wirelessly, i.e. without a cable leading from the testing device to the device under test. Thus, the electromagnetic properties of the environment of the device under test and/or of the device under test itself are not changed by plugging a cable into the device under test.

Moreover, no additional electromagnetic disturbances are caused by the wireless transmission of the first test command, because the first test command is transmitted prior to the actual testing procedure.

The device under test may be provided with suitable software such that the device under test can process and “understand” the first test command that is transmitted via the sound waves from the testing device to the device under test.

The sound waves may have a frequency in the audible and/or non-audible frequency range, for example in the ultrasound frequency range. Accordingly, electromagnetic perturbations caused by e.g. a movement of magnets in the first speaker have a frequency being essentially equal to the frequency of the audible or non-audible sound waves. Accordingly, the electromagnetic perturbations have a frequency that is smaller than 1 MHz.

Thus, the frequency of the electromagnetic perturbations is much smaller than a communication frequency of the device under test, which is typically in the range of 100 MHz to about 200 GHz. Accordingly, testing of the device under test is not impaired by the first initiation signal itself and/or by the generation of the first initiation signal even during an ongoing testing procedure of the device under test.

Regarding the remaining advantages and properties of the second embodiment of the test system, reference is made to the explanations given above with respect to the first embodiment of the test system, which also apply to the second embodiment and vice versa.

Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a test system comprising a device under test and a testing device. In an embodiment, the test system comprises a first sensor unit being associated with the device under test, wherein the first sensor unit is established as at least one of a position sensor and a motion sensor. The first sensor unit is configured to determine at least one of a position of the device under test and at least one parameter associated with a motion of the device under test. The device under test is configured to generate a first electromagnetic test signal based on at least one of the position of the device under test and the at least one determined parameter.

Therein and in the following, the term “position” is understood to comprise both the location of the device under test (in the sense of coordinates of the mass center of the device under test) as well as the orientation of the device under test (in the sense of the three rotational angles of the device under test).

The at least one parameter associated with a motion of the device under test may comprise a velocity of the device under test, an acceleration of the device under test and/or a jerk of the device under test.

Thus, the device under test is controlled to generate the first electromagnetic test signal based on a location of the device under test, an orientation of the device under test, a velocity of the device under test, an acceleration of the device under test and/or a jerk of the device under test, etc.

The device under test may comprises the first sensor unit. Accordingly, the device under test may determine whether a condition for starting the testing procedure is already met based on its position and/or the at least one parameter associated with its motion.

An example for such a condition is that the device under test has a predefined location and orientation within the shielded space.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the testing device comprises positioning means, wherein the positioning means are configured to position the device under test in a predefined way. In an embodiment, the positioning means can include a positioning table or the like.

Accordingly, the positioning means may position the device under test in a way necessary for the testing procedure of the device under test.

The positioning means may comprise the first sensor unit. Accordingly, the positioning may determine whether a condition for starting the testing procedure of the device under test is already met based on its position and/or the at least one parameter associated with its motion.

Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a test method for testing a device under test via a testing device. In an embodiment, the method comprises the following steps:

generating a first wireless initiation signal via a first initiation unit of the testing device, the first initiation signal comprising a first test command;

receiving the first initiation signal via a first sensor unit of the device under test; and

generating a first electromagnetic test signal based on the first test command.

Regarding the advantages and properties of the method for testing a device under test, reference is made to the explanations given above with respect to the embodiments of the test system, which also apply to the method and vice versa.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the first electromagnetic test signal is received and analyzed by the testing device. The testing device tests certain properties of the device under test by analyzing the first electromagnetic test signal. For example, the testing device may test certain communication layers of the first electromagnetic signal and/or the device under test.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method comprises the following additional steps:

generating a second initiation signal via a second initiation unit of the device under test, wherein the second initiation signal comprises a second test command;

receiving the second initiation signal via a second sensor unit of the testing device, wherein the second initiation signal comprises a second test command; and

generating a second electromagnetic test signal based on the first test command.

Accordingly, commands and/or requests can also be transmitted from the device under test to the testing device via electromagnetic waves and/or sound waves in such a way that electromagnetic measurements are not impaired, as already explained above.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the device under test is placed in a shielded space defined by a housing of the testing device. The housing is made of or includes metal or another suitable material, such that the housing prevents electromagnetic waves from the outside from propagating into the shielded space. Accordingly, the shielded space is free of external electromagnetic waves, such that tests can be performed on the device under test without external electromagnetic perturbations.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a RF communication partner of the device under test is simulated via the testing device. In other words, the second electromagnetic test signal is generated with defined properties such that a certain communication partner for the device under test is simulated by the testing device. For example, the testing device may simulate a mobile communication base station, another mobile communication device, a router, or any other type of RF communication device that is associated with an actual use case of the device under test.

In some embodiments at least a second device under test is provided. In some embodiments, several additional device under test may be provided. Thus, several (i.e. at least two) devices under test may be simultaneously tested. This way, an overall testing time per device under test is reduced.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a respective RF communication partner for each one of the devices under test is simulated via the same testing device. In other words, the second electromagnetic test signal is generated with defined properties such that a certain communication partner for each one of the devices under test is simulated. Therein, the same electromagnetic test signal may be used for all devices under test. Alternatively, a distinct electromagnetic signal may be generated for at least two devices under test, for example for all devices under test.

Generally, a combination of acoustic signals and electromagnetic signals, for example optical signals, may be used as wireless initiation signal. The device under test or rather the testing device receives the combination of signals and processes them accordingly.

In some embodiments, an application or rather software is running on the device under test to process the signals received and execute corresponding commands on the device under test appropriately.

Furthermore, position and/or orientation of the device under test may be controlled by the positioning means in order to initiate at least one respective command to be executed by the device under test. The positioning means, also called an actuator or the like, is enabled to start, stop or rather control the testing. In some embodiments, test parameters may be adapted by the positioning means while adapting/changing the position and/or orientation of the device under test during the testing.

The initiation of at least one command to be executed by the device under test may relate to a combination of the position of the device under test, the orientation of the device under test, acoustic signals received and electromagnetic signals received, for example optical signals.

Generally, the corresponding commands to be executed may relate to perform actions like “switch on”, “switch off”, “mute”, “enable airplane mode”, “establish a call”, “handover”, “reset”, “communication interface on”, “communication interface off” and so on, wherein the communication interface may relate to a certain standard, for instance Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC).

A protocol may be used that ensures robust communication between the testing device and the device under test.

