Background
The environment adaptation requirements of communication systems to communication equipment are higher and higher, and the design and manufacture of the communication industry also face a large number of test measurement and data acquisition tests. For example, radio frequency wireless communications require filters to remove out-of-band signals and interference. In this process, the target signal is distorted by the filter, resulting in an increase in the error rate. This requires filters with low in-band insertion loss and in-band ripple, and high out-of-band rejection, thereby reducing signal distortion. The increase in the filter index makes the debugging of the filter more and more difficult.
To manufacture a high performance filter, debugging is more important than design. Because the inductance of the coils in the filter is difficult to accurately test, various factors (collectively referred to as parasitic parameters) such as turn-to-turn capacitance, contact capacitance, and mutual inductance between the coils can cause a large difference between the characteristics of the actually manufactured filter and the characteristics expected during design. The effects and errors caused by these parasitic parameters must be adjusted to compensate.
The traditional filter test adopts a pipeline working mode, each post is only responsible for one test item, and generally, one filter finishes 3-8 unequal test procedures which are probably required to be converted for all the test items according to different test indexes, so that the following problems can be caused:
the circulation efficiency is not high, although the assembly line test is nominally adopted, in practice, because each test needs manual insertion of the instrument, the work station and the work station are still transferred by manpower and are not connected by an automatic assembly line, the real flow type operation cannot be realized, and the whole test efficiency is low
The outward appearance that causes in the transportation damage even performance, because the metal cavity is comparatively heavy, and the surface is irregular, and consider that the efficiency problem often can pile up to a certain amount after with the vehicle transport to next test station, because the operation among the operation process is improper or the protection is not in place, often can cause the collision and the lamination of metal cavity, light then the outward appearance collides with the damage, heavy then thoroughly destroys the performance index.
The line balance configuration is not good, because the testing time of each work station is different, the line balance needs to be configured to achieve or approach the pipeline type testing efficiency, the testing requirements of filters of various types are not consistent, the line balance configuration needs a large amount of instrument investment, the equipment connection is complicated, and the equipment cannot be changed easily, so the existing line balance configuration can only rely on past experience to compromise the equipment investment and the testing efficiency.
The consistency difference of the instruments is obvious, each work station needs to be configured with a vector network analyzer and other measuring instruments, the seamless connection between the work stations is based on the measurement error alignment between the instruments, although the daily calibration can meet the requirement of daily test, the problem cannot be thoroughly solved, and frequent calibration consumes manpower and time.
The connector is obvious in use loss, and as the connector is circulated to each work station and needs to be re-plugged with the instrument and the workpiece and is used as a component of a test link, all the connectors have verified service life regulations (less than or equal to 500 times), the overrun use not only brings hidden danger to measurement, but also has more limited connector loss which can be really saved.
Disclosure of Invention
The invention provides a radio frequency device testing system, which solves the problems of low circulation efficiency, poor balance, labor and time consumption caused by consistency difference calibration and the like caused by adopting a production line working mode.
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a radio frequency device testing system, comprising: the device comprises a main control unit, a signal switching unit and a measuring instrument unit; the main control unit is respectively connected with the signal switching unit and the measuring instrument unit, and the access unit is connected with the signal switching unit;
optionally, the main control unit of the radio frequency device testing system is further connected to a power amplifying unit, and the power amplifying unit increases testing power to improve user testing efficiency;
optionally, the radio frequency device test system includes a test message receiving/sending module connected to the main control unit;
the main control unit controls and interacts each part of the radio frequency device test system and processes test data;
optionally, the main control unit is provided with an S parameter test data processing module;
optionally, the main control unit is further provided with an intermodulation test data processing module;
optionally, the main control unit is further provided with a pulse power test data processing module;
optionally, the main control unit is further provided with a continuous wave power test data processing module;
optionally, the main control unit is further provided with an IO control processing module;
optionally, the main control unit further provides an MES access interface, a database access interface, and/or a data analysis interface.
The signal switching unit completes switching between system measurement modes, and at least comprises one of the following measurement modes: s parameter path switching, high-power test path switching, intermodulation test path switching, leakage test path switching and low-reflection load path switching.
Optionally, the signal switching unit selects one or more of a mechanical switch, an electronic switch and a wireless switch.
The meter unit, optionally using a PXIe-based bus architecture, provides at least one or more of the following meter functions: two-way continuous wave generation, FFT-based spectral analysis, and vector network analysis.
The invention also provides a radio frequency device testing method, which comprises the following steps:
an initial setting step, setting the type of the radio frequency device for detection on the test system;
a program setting step, selecting a test item to be tested on the test system, and setting a test sequence of the test item;
a loading step, loading a test instruction on the test system;
after the test system loads the test instruction, the main control unit executes the test through the test instrument unit according to the set test item sequence;
and a result obtaining step, wherein the test instrument unit feeds back a test result.
The present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a program which, when executed by a processor, performs the above-described testing steps.
The invention highly integrates a plurality of test items through the radio frequency device test system which can automatically run and comprises the signal switching unit, greatly reduces the test cost, does not need to carry and frequently plug cables midway, and greatly saves the test field. The whole testing process is free from human participation, so that the testing consistency is greatly improved, and the testing time is shortened.
Detailed Description
The embodiment of the invention provides a radio frequency device testing system, which solves the problems that an instrument needs to be manually inserted when different projects are tested each time, a work station still transfers the instruments by manpower, real flow type operation cannot be realized, and the overall testing efficiency is low.
The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
Referring to fig. 1, a schematic structural diagram of a radio frequency device testing system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
The structure schematic diagram of the radio frequency device test system provided by the embodiment of the invention comprises: the device comprises a main control unit, a signal switching unit, a measuring instrument unit, a signal source and a power amplification unit, wherein the main control unit, the signal switching unit and the measuring instrument unit are optional; the main control unit is respectively connected with the signal switching unit and the measuring instrument unit.
And the main control unit is used for controlling and interacting each part of the radio frequency device testing system and processing the testing data. In a preferred embodiment, when receiving a test start signal, the main control unit obtains a current test item from the signal switching unit, obtains a test parameter, and sends a test instruction related to the current test item to the measurement instrument unit. After the measurement is finished, the main control unit sends a feedback signal to the signal switching unit to carry out the next test. The main control unit at least comprises one of an S parameter test data processing module, an intermodulation test data processing module, a pulse power test data processing module, a continuous wave power test data processing module and an IO control processing module.
In a preferred embodiment, the master control unit further provides an MES access interface, a database access interface, and/or a data analysis interface.
The signal switching unit is used for completing the selection and switching of system measurement items and measurement channels, wherein the measurement items at least comprise one of the following items: s parameter path switching, high-power test path switching, intermodulation test path switching, leakage test path switching and low-reflection load path switching. In a preferred embodiment, the signal switching unit is provided with a test item and a test item sequence of the test, and is connected to the device to be tested, and after receiving an instruction to start the test, the signal switching unit switches the signal channel to the corresponding test link, sends the test signal to the main control unit according to the test item sequence, receives a test end signal returned by the main control unit, switches to the test circuit of the next test item, and sends the next test signal number to the main control unit until all test items are completed. The signal switching unit comprises an input interface of at least one test channel, and the test items comprise but are not limited to tests on the same channel or tests on different channels. In a preferred embodiment, the signal switching unit configures the current test item link according to the received configuration word. Through the work of the signal switching unit, the full-automatic operation of the test process of a plurality of test items can be completed, the test efficiency is greatly improved, and errors caused by manual operation are reduced.
The meter unit, including a meter for testing or a modular meter, includes but is not limited to providing at least one of the following meter functions: two-way continuous wave generation, FTT-based spectrum analysis and vector network analysis.
As shown in fig. 2, optionally, the present invention further includes providing signal sources for providing signal inputs to the tested piece, the signal sources including, but not limited to, providing one or more of a single frequency point signal, a multiple frequency point signal, and a low intermodulation dual tone signal.
As shown in fig. 2, optionally, the present invention further includes providing a power amplifying unit, where the power amplifying unit is configured to perform power amplification on an output signal of the signal source, so as to improve the testing efficiency of the user. The power amplification unit includes, but is not limited to, providing at least one of a dual continuous wave power amplifier and a pulsed power amplifier.
Referring to fig. 3, a flow chart of a method for testing a radio frequency device according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.
The invention also provides a radio frequency device testing method, which comprises the following steps:
s301, an initial setting step, namely connecting a device to be tested to the test system;
in step S301, the device under test is connected to the signal switching unit. The connection interface of the device under test may support multiple types including, but not limited to, at least one of a serial interface and a parallel interface. The type of the device under test includes, but is not limited to, at least one of a cavity filter, a duplexer, a combiner, and a passive antenna. In a preferred embodiment, the test system may set a type of a device to be tested for detection, or may specify the type of the device to be tested through an interface, or the signal switching unit may detect the type of the device to be tested. The device under test can be one or more, and the connection of the device under test to the test system comprises the connection of at least one test channel of the same device under test to the signal switching unit.
S302, a procedure setting step, namely selecting a test item to be tested on the test system and setting a test sequence of the test item;
in the step of setting the program in S302, the test items and the order of the test items to be tested may be selected and set in the test system, one of the test items may be selected, or a plurality of the test items may be selected. For example, if only S parameter items need to be tested, only S parameter test items are selected for testing in the program selection. If a plurality of items need to be tested, selecting a plurality of test items to be tested, and setting a test sequence, for example, setting the first test item of the test as an S-path parameter, setting the second test item as an intermodulation test, and setting the third test item as a leakage test until all the test items and the test sequence are set.
In a preferred embodiment, the program setting step further includes a step of setting at least one test item sequence of at least one test channel of the same device under test, or includes a step of setting at least one test item sequence of at least one test channel of different devices under test. When a device to be tested is tested, a plurality of test channels of the device to be tested are respectively connected to the input interface of the signal switching unit, and a test sequence is set. For example, a first test item may be set as an S-path parameter test of a first channel, a second test item may be set as an intermodulation test of a second channel, and a third test item may be set as a leakage test of the second channel until all test items and test sequences are set.
S303, a loading step, namely loading a test instruction on the test system;
in the step S303, in the step of loading the test instruction, after the type of the device to be tested is connected and the test step is set, the test instruction is loaded, and the test process is started.
S304, a testing step, in which the main control unit executes a test through the test instrument unit according to the set test item sequence;
and after receiving the test instruction and the set test item sequence, the main control unit calls the test module of the main control unit according to the sequence to test. In one embodiment, after receiving the test instruction, the main control unit calls the S-path parameter test module according to the item test sequence, and sends a channel switching instruction to the signal switching unit, where the switching instruction includes the currently tested item and the test parameter. The signal switching unit receives a channel switching instruction and then switches to an S path parameter test link of a first channel, the signal switching unit sends radio frequency test signals received from the device to be tested to the main control unit according to test parameters, and the main control unit sends the received S parameter test signals and test parameter data to the test instrument for testing. In a preferred embodiment, the test instruction sent by the master control unit to the signal switching unit includes a configuration word, and the switching unit performs switching of the test link according to the configuration word.
S305, a result obtaining step, wherein the test instrument unit feeds back a test result and sends a test completion message of the project to the main control unit.
In the step, the test instrument unit feeds back the test result, including sending the test result back to the main control unit, in one embodiment, the test instrument unit feeds back the test result further includes displaying the test result on the test instrument, and in another embodiment, the test unit feeds back the test result further includes sending the test result to a remote receiving terminal through a wired or wireless communication mode, for example, sending the test result to a handheld mobile terminal of a tester, or sending the test result to a remote network terminal by using a wired communication network, so that the tester can know the test progress and the test result immediately even if the tester is not in a test site. The wireless communication mode includes but is not limited to one of WIFI, Bluetooth and mobile cellular network.
S306, judging whether the test item is the last test item or not by the main control unit, if so, terminating the test, processing the final test result, and if not, entering the step S304.
And the main control unit processes the final test result, including comprehensively evaluating the processing results of all test items, storing the processing results and sending the processing results to the receiving terminal.
Referring to fig. 4, another embodiment of the present invention provides a flowchart S401 of a method for testing a device under test controlled by a remote terminal, which includes setting a test sequence for testing the type, test items and test items of the device under test on the remote terminal, and sending a test message to a test message transceiver module of a radio frequency device test system;
the remote terminal includes a wired terminal or a wireless terminal. For example, the test result is sent to a handheld mobile terminal of a tester in a wireless mode, or the result is sent to a remote network terminal by using a wired communication network, so that the tester can know the test progress and the test result immediately even if the tester is not in a test field. The wireless communication mode includes but is not limited to one of WIFI, Bluetooth and mobile cellular network. The type of the device to be tested arranged on the remote terminal comprises but is not limited to at least one of a cavity filter, a duplexer, a combiner and a passive antenna. And connecting the device to be tested to the signal switching unit. In one embodiment, the device under test type may not be provided on the remote terminal. The input interface of the device under test includes but is not limited to a serial interface and a parallel interface. The test items to be tested can be selected on the remote terminal, one of the test items can be selected, and a plurality of the test items can be selected. For example, if only S parameter items need to be tested, only S parameter test items are selected for testing in the program selection. If a plurality of items need to be tested, selecting a plurality of test items to be tested, and setting a test sequence, for example, setting the first test item of the test as an S-path parameter, setting the second test item as an intermodulation test, and setting the third test item as a leakage test until all the test items and the test sequence are set. In a preferred embodiment, the program setting step further includes a step of setting at least one test item sequence of at least one test channel of the same device under test, or includes a step of setting at least one test item sequence of at least one test channel of different devices under test. When a device to be tested is tested, a plurality of test channels of the device to be tested are respectively connected to the input interface of the signal switching unit, and a test sequence is set. For example, a first test item may be set as an S-path parameter test of a first channel, a second test item may be set as an intermodulation test of a second channel, and a third test item may be set as a leakage test of the second channel until all test items and test sequences are set.
S402, a testing step, wherein the testing message transceiving module sends the received testing message to the main control unit, and the main control unit loads a testing instruction and starts a testing process;
and after receiving the test instruction and the set test item sequence, the main control unit calls the test module of the main control unit according to the sequence to test. In one embodiment, after receiving the test instruction, the main control unit calls the S-path parameter test module according to the item test sequence, and sends a channel switching instruction to the signal switching unit, where the switching instruction includes the currently tested item and the test parameter. The signal switching unit receives a channel switching instruction and then switches to an S path parameter test link of a first channel, the signal switching unit sends radio frequency test signals received from the device to be tested to the main control unit according to test parameters, and the main control unit sends the received S parameter test signals and test parameter data to the test instrument for testing. In a preferred embodiment, the test instruction sent by the master control unit to the signal switching unit includes a configuration word, and the switching unit performs switching of the test link according to the configuration word.
And S403, returning to the step, sending the test result to a remote test terminal by the test system, wherein the remote test terminal comprises a wired terminal or a wireless terminal. For example, the test result of each project and/or the test results of all the projects after testing are sent to the handheld mobile terminal of the tester in a wireless mode, or the results are sent to the remote network terminal by using a wired communication network, so that the tester can know the test progress and the results immediately even if the tester is not in a test field. The wireless communication mode includes but is not limited to one of WIFI, Bluetooth and mobile cellular network. In one embodiment, the remote terminal may send an instruction to terminate the test.
Referring to fig. 5, another embodiment of the present invention provides a remote terminal for remotely using the test system, where the remote terminal includes a setting module, a sending module, and a receiving module.
The setting module is used for setting the type of a device to be tested, test items and the test sequence of the test items;
the types of devices to be tested arranged on the remote terminal include but are not limited to a cavity filter, a duplexer, a combiner and a passive antenna. And connecting the device to be tested to the input interface. In an embodiment, the type of the device to be tested may not be set on the remote terminal, and after the signal detection unit of the device to be tested test system detects that the device to be tested is connected to the input interface, the detection of the device to be tested is started. The type of device under test detected is determined. The input interface during radio frequency can be supported in various types including serial interface, parallel interface. The test item to be tested can be selected on the remote terminal, and the test item can be selected. For example, if only S parameter items need to be tested, only S parameter test items are selected for testing in the program selection. If a plurality of items need to be tested, selecting a plurality of test items to be tested, and setting a test sequence, for example, setting the first test item of the test as an S-path parameter, setting the second test item as an intermodulation test, and setting the third test item as a leakage test until all the test items and the test sequence are set. In a preferred embodiment, the program setting step further includes a step of setting at least one test item sequence of at least one test channel of the same device under test, or includes a step of setting at least one test item sequence of at least one test channel of different devices under test. When a device to be tested is tested, a plurality of test channels of the device to be tested are respectively connected to the input interface of the signal switching unit, and a test sequence is set. For example, a first test item may be set as an S-path parameter test of a first channel, a second test item may be set as an intermodulation test of a second channel, and a third test item may be set as a leakage test of the second channel until all test items and test sequences are set.
The sending module is used for sending the test message to a test message receiving and sending module of the test system of the device to be tested;
the transmission mode of the sending module comprises a wired mode or a wireless mode, for example, the sending module is sent to a handheld mobile terminal of a tester in a wireless mode, or a wired communication network is used for sending a result to a remote network terminal, so that the tester can obtain the test progress and the result immediately even if the tester is not in a test field. The wireless communication mode includes but is not limited to one of WIFI, Bluetooth and mobile cellular network.
And the receiving module is used for receiving the test result.
In one embodiment, the receiving module sends the test result of each item and/or the test result of all the tested items to a handheld mobile terminal of a tester in a wireless mode, or sends the result to a remote network terminal by using a wired communication network, so that the tester can know the test progress and the test result immediately even if the tester is not in a test field. The wireless communication mode includes but is not limited to one of WIFI, Bluetooth and mobile cellular network. In one embodiment, the remote terminal may send an instruction to terminate the test.
The present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, performs the steps of S301-S305.
The above-mentioned embodiments are only used for illustrating the technical solutions of the present invention, and not for limiting the same; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that: the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some technical features may be equivalently replaced; and such modifications or substitutions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the corresponding technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.