System and method for confirming radio frequency (RF) signal connection integrity with multiple devices under test (DUTs) to be tested concurrently

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A method of confirming radio frequency (RF) signal connection integrity with one or more devices under test (DUTs), comprising:
providing one or more cabled signal paths for conveying a respective one or more RF signals, including one or more outgoing RF signals and one or more reflection RF signals, wherein each one of said one or more reflection RF signals is related to a respective one of said one or more outgoing RF signals; providing, for one or more DUTs via said one or more respective cabled signal paths, said one or more outgoing RF signals having a nominal outgoing RF signal frequency varying over a frequency range including minimum and maximum nominal outgoing RF signal frequencies; and receiving one or more reflection RF signals via said one or more respective cabled signal paths and in response thereto providing one or more measured reflection signals indicative of one or more of
a respective signal magnitude versus time of each one of said one or more reflection RF signals, anda respective signal phase versus time of each one of said one or more reflection RF signals.