JP2630307B2 - Channel test equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a channel test apparatus for testing the state of a channel including a radio section of a mobile communication system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A test apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-110632 is an example of this type of communication path test apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of such a test apparatus and a system to be tested by the test apparatus. In this figure, the mobile communication system includes a mobile station 1, a radio base station 2 for communicating with the mobile station 1 by radio signals, a high-efficiency codec device 3 for performing high-efficiency encoding / decoding conversion, and a communication path 41. Consists of

Further, as a device for testing a communication path of the mobile communication system, a transmission circuit 61 for transmitting voice test data, a reception circuit 62 for receiving test data returned at or around a call path return point, , A test pattern storage unit 64 for storing the above-described test data, which is data for a speech line test, and a transmission signal strength of a test pattern (test data) to be transmitted and a A control circuit 65 for calculating the S / N ratio based on the received signal strength is provided.

In such a test apparatus, when a test control signal is input from the outside, the control circuit 65 instructs the test pattern storage unit 64 to transmit the stored test pattern. The test pattern storage unit 64 gives the test pattern to the transmission circuit 61 based on the instruction, and as a result, the test pattern is transmitted from the transmission circuit 61 to the communication path 41 in the mobile communication system. The test pattern transmitted to the communication path 41 is turned back at the call path return point or in the mobile communication system, received by the reception circuit 62,
The received signal is stored in the reception signal storage unit 63.

In this case, in the control circuit 65, the test data (transmission data) transmitted from the test pattern storage unit 64
Then, the test data (received data) stored in the received signal storage unit 63 is taken out, the transmission signal strength and the received signal strength are obtained, and the S / N ratio is calculated based on the transmitted signal strength and the received signal strength. Then, the calculated S / N ratio is compared with a preset threshold value to determine whether the state of the communication route (that is, the line) is normal, and notifies the external device as numerical data.

[0006]

In such a communication path test apparatus, only a test based on a stored specific test pattern is performed, and a test is performed by freely inputting voice data by a tester's voice or the like. However, there was a problem that it was not easy to use. In addition, the result obtained from the test is only numerical data which is a result of comparison between the S / N ratio and the threshold, and it is not easy to confirm whether the state of the communication path is normal or not from the obtained numerical data. There was also. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for testing a state of a communication path including a wireless section of a mobile communication system by freely inputting voice data and easily confirming a test result.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a microphone unit for inputting an external audio signal, and a first analog audio signal converted from a microphone unit to a digital signal. A first conversion unit for generating test data, a common control unit for instructing one of a S / N ratio test and a bit error test for testing a voice state of a communication path in the mobile communication system, S / N
An arithmetic processing unit that performs each arithmetic processing of the ratio test and the bit error test, a first dropper that supplies the first test data to the arithmetic processing unit when the S / N test is instructed, and a bit error test is instructed. A high-efficiency audio conversion circuit that encodes the first test data to generate the second test data when the
When the S / N ratio test is instructed, the first test data transmitted to the mobile communication system and returned in the mobile communication system is received and provided to the arithmetic processing unit as the first received data, and the bit error is transmitted. When the test is instructed, the second test data is supplied to the arithmetic processing unit, and the second test data transmitted to the mobile communication system and returned in the mobile communication system is received, and is received as the second reception data. And a second dropper provided to the arithmetic processing unit. A second conversion unit for converting the first reception data and the decoded data of the second reception data from the high-efficiency voice conversion circuit into analog signals, respectively; and outputting the output of the second conversion unit as voice. Speaker provided.

[0008]

When testing the state of the communication path in the mobile communication system, the first and second test data to be transmitted into the mobile communication system are voice-input from the microphone unit, and the first test data and the first test data are input. S based on the test data returned in the mobile communication system and the received first received data.
/ N ratio test, and the second test data and this second
A bit error test is performed on the basis of the received test data returned in the mobile communication system and the received second received data. As a result, a test can be easily performed by freely inputting voice from the microphone unit, and an accurate test result can be obtained. Further, the first received data and the decoded data of the second received data from the high-efficiency voice conversion circuit are respectively converted into analog signals and emitted from the speaker. As a result, the test result can be confirmed by the sound from the speaker, so that the tester can easily confirm the test result.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. The system of this embodiment includes a mobile station 1, a radio base station 2 for communicating with the mobile station 1 by radio, and a high-efficiency code of a voice signal. Efficient Codec Device 3 for Decoding / Decoding Conversion
And a time-division communication path 4. Further, a communication path test device 5 for testing a communication path in the mobile communication system is connected to the time-division communication path 4.
The communication path test apparatus 5 includes a microphone section 6 for inputting audio as test data to be provided to the mobile communication system, a speaker section 7 for outputting audio for monitoring, and sending and testing of an order to the communication path test apparatus 5. A test terminal 8 for displaying results is connected. Note that, in FIG. 1, indicates the return point of the communication path in the mobile communication system as already described with reference to FIG.

Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a communication path test apparatus showing a main part of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 51 denotes a transmission circuit for transmitting test data to the time-division communication channel 4 in the mobile communication system; 52, a reception circuit for receiving test data from the time-division communication channel 4; 53, data of a specific time slot; Dropper (second dropper) having a function of extracting a high-efficiency audio signal, a high-efficiency audio conversion circuit 54 for encoding and decoding a high-efficiency audio signal, and 55 a function of extracting data of a specific time slot. A dropper (first dropper) 56 for extracting test data transmitted to the divided communication path 4 side is a D / A conversion circuit having a function of converting analog data into digital data and converting digital data into analog data. is there.

An interface unit 57 is an interface between the D / A converter 56, the microphone 6 and the speaker unit 7, and a reference numeral 58 denotes transmitted test data and each communication path turning point or point shown in FIG. The arithmetic processing unit 59 that calculates the S / N ratio based on the test data received via the test terminal and calculates the bit error, sends an instruction of the test type to each unit based on the order from the test terminal 8. It is a common control unit.

Next, the operation of the thus configured communication path test apparatus 5 will be described. When the test terminal 8 outputs a test setting order to the channel test device 5, the common control unit 59 of the channel test device 5 receives the order and analyzes it. Then, a test type such as an S / N ratio test or an error rate test (bit error test) is set for the high efficiency voice conversion circuit 54 and the arithmetic processing unit 58.
This test type is also set for the droppers 53 and 55. At this time, a call path turning point or a point in the mobile communication system shown in FIG. 1 is also set.

At this time, the channel test device 5
When an external audio signal is input through the microphone unit 6, the audio signal is input to the D through the interface unit 57.
The signal is sent to the / A conversion circuit 56 and is converted into a digital signal by the D / A conversion circuit 56. Here, the microphone unit 6
When the S / N ratio test is performed on the audio signal input through the D / A converter, the audio data from the D / A conversion circuit 56 is taken out by the dropper 55 and given to the arithmetic processing unit 58, where it is stored as transmission reference data. You. At this time, the test data transmitted to the time-division communication path 4 in the mobile communication system is passed through the dropper 53 and the transmission circuit 51 without being encoded by the high-efficiency voice conversion circuit 54. 4 is sent.

The test data sent to the time-division communication path 4 is returned at the call path return point or in the mobile communication system. Then, the folded data is received by the receiving circuit 52, further taken out by the dropper 53, and given to the arithmetic processing unit 58. Arithmetic processing unit 5
At 8, the transmission signal strength of the transmission reference data (first test data) previously stored and the reception of the reception data (first reception data) which is turned back at the call path turning point or at the dropper 53 and taken out. S / N depending on signal strength
Calculate the ratio. Then, the calculated S / N ratio is determined based on the set threshold value. As a result, the communication state of the communication line, which is the communication path, is determined by a numerical value, and the test result is sent to the test terminal 8 via the common control unit 59 and displayed.

Thus, an S / N ratio test is performed on the audio signal input via the microphone unit 6. Next, in the case of a bit error test on an audio signal input via the microphone unit 6, the test is performed as follows. That is, in this case, the audio signal input from the microphone unit 6 is similarly converted into a digital signal by the D / A conversion circuit 56, enters the high-efficiency audio conversion circuit 54 via the dropper 55, and enters the high-efficiency audio conversion circuit 54. The test data is transmitted to the time-division communication path 4 in the mobile communication system through the dropper 53 and the transmission circuit 51 as test data.

In this case, the high-efficiency voice conversion circuit 5
4 to the dropper 5
In step 3, the data is supplied to the arithmetic processing unit 58 and stored in the arithmetic processing unit 58 as transmission reference data. The coded data that has been coded and converted by the high-efficiency voice conversion circuit 54 and transmitted to the time-division communication path 4 is returned at each communication path return point or in the mobile communication system and received by the reception circuit 52. Then, it is taken out by the dropper 53 and given to the arithmetic processing unit 58.

In the arithmetic processing section 58, the transmission reference data (second test data) previously stored via the dropper 53 and the communication path return point or return point are returned.
The number of bit errors in bit units is calculated based on the reception data (second reception data) extracted by the dropper 53. Then, the calculated number of bit errors is determined based on a reference threshold value. As a result, the state of the communication path in the mobile communication system is determined by a numerical value, and the test result is further sent to the test terminal 8 via the common control unit 59 and displayed.

At the time of the above-mentioned S / N ratio test, the test data transmitted directly to the mobile communication system without being converted by the high-efficiency voice conversion circuit 54 and returned in the mobile communication system is received by the receiving circuit 52. , Dropper 53,
The data is input via a high-efficiency voice conversion circuit 54 and a dropper 55, and is converted from PCM data into an analog signal by a D / A conversion circuit 56. Then, the analog signal is output to the speaker unit 7 via the interface unit 57. In this way, the tester inputs the audio signal from the microphone unit 6 and applies it to the communication channel of the mobile communication system, and also outputs the audio signal provided to the mobile communication system and passing through the communication channel in the mobile communication system to the speaker unit. By monitoring at 7, it is possible to confirm the correctness of the communication path in the mobile communication system.

At the time of the above-described bit error test, the setting for the high-efficiency voice conversion circuit 54 is set for encoding on the transmitting side and decoding for the receiving side, respectively.
As in the case of the ratio test, sound monitoring by the speaker unit 7 becomes possible. As a result, it is possible to perform not only a numerical communication path test but also an auditory communication path test, so that the test results can be easily confirmed and a more detailed test can be performed.

As described above, when testing the state of the communication path (communication line) in the mobile communication system, a voice signal can be freely input from the microphone unit 6 and given to the mobile communication system as transmission test data. By performing an S / N ratio test and a bit error test on the transmission test data and the reception test data turned back in the mobile communication system, an accurate test result by a numerical value is obtained, and the reception test data is transmitted to a speaker. By monitoring, a speech path test by hearing becomes possible.

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention, when testing the state of a communication path in a mobile communication system, the first and second test data to be transmitted into the mobile communication system are transmitted from the microphone unit. An S / N ratio test is performed based on the first test data and the first received data which is received by the first test data being looped back in the mobile communication system. Since the bit error test is performed based on the second test data returned in the mobile communication system and the received second received data, the test can be easily performed by freely inputting a voice from the microphone unit. And accurate test results can be obtained. Further, since the first received data and the decoded data of the second received data from the high-efficiency audio conversion circuit are converted into analog signals and emitted from the speakers, the test results are confirmed by the sounds from the speakers. Yes, and the tester can easily confirm the test results.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile communication system to which a communication path test device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the communication path test device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile communication system and a conventional communication channel test device for testing a communication channel of the mobile communication system.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mobile station, 2 ... Radio base station, 3 ... High-efficiency codec apparatus, 4 ... Time-division communication path, 5 ... Communication path test apparatus, 6 ... Microphone part, 7 ... Speaker part, 8 ... Test terminal, 51
... transmitting circuit, 52 ... receiving circuit, 53, 55 ... dropper,
54: High-efficiency voice conversion circuit, 56: D / A conversion circuit, 5
8: arithmetic processing unit, 59: common control unit,...

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A communication path test apparatus connected to a mobile communication system for testing a state of a communication path including a radio section of the mobile communication system, comprising: a microphone section for inputting an external voice signal; A first converter that converts an analog audio signal into a digital signal and generates first test data;
A common control unit for instructing one of an S / N ratio test and a bit error test for testing the voice state of the communication path, and performing each arithmetic processing of the S / N ratio test and the bit error test An arithmetic processing unit, a first dropper that supplies the first test data to the arithmetic processing unit when the S / N test is instructed, and a first test data when the bit error test is instructed And a high-efficiency voice conversion circuit for generating the second test data by encoding the first test data transmitted to the mobile communication system when the S / N ratio test is instructed and returned in the mobile communication system. The data is received and provided as first received data to the arithmetic processing unit, and when the bit error test is instructed, the second test data is provided to the arithmetic processing unit and sent to the mobile communication system and transmitted. Second folded back in a communication system
And a second dropper that receives the test data and supplies it to the arithmetic processing unit as second received data. 2. The communication path test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first received data and the output data of the high-efficiency voice conversion circuit for decoding the second received data are converted into analog signals. And a speaker that emits the output of the second conversion unit as a voice, sends out a voice signal input from the microphone unit to the mobile communication system, and returns to the mobile communication system. A speech path test apparatus for monitoring an audio signal via a speaker.