Digital communications test system for multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) systems

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A method for facilitating testing of a plurality of devices under test (DUTs) having multiple input multiple output (MIMO) radio frequency (RF) signal transmission and reception capabilities with a plurality of vector signal analyzers (VSAs) and a plurality of vector signal generators (VSGs), comprising:
providing a plurality of controllable signal paths for controlling conveyance of a plurality of RF signals between a plurality of DUTs, a plurality of VSAs and a plurality of VSGs; detecting respective signal levels of each of said plurality of RF signals being transmitted by said plurality of DUTs, and in response thereto providing one or more detection signals indicative of each of said respective signal levels; and receiving a plurality of control signals, including at least one control signal related to said one or more detection signals, and in response thereto controlling respective ones of said plurality of controllable signal paths such that each one of a first portion of said plurality of controllable signal paths has a lower impedance to facilitate conveyance of one or more of said plurality of RF signals, and each one of a second portion of said plurality of controllable signal paths has a higher impedance to substantially prevent conveyance of another one or more of said plurality of RF signals, wherein, in accordance with said plurality of control signals, said plurality of controllable signal paths facilitate substantially simultaneous conveyance of at least first and second ones of said plurality of RF signals from at least first and second ones of said plurality of VSGs, respectively, to each of at least first and second ones of said plurality of DUTs, and alternating between substantially simultaneous conveyance, to each of at least first and second ones of said plurality of VSAs, of
at least first and second ones of said plurality of RF signals from one of said plurality of DUTs, andeach one of said plurality of RF signals from each one of said plurality of DUTs for which said one or more detection signals is indicative of its respective signal level being greater than said defined level.