KR20090105459A - Calibration Data Embedded Multi-ZIG for RF Test and RF Test Method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A calibration data embedding multi zig and a performance test method for communication terminal RF performance test for improving compatibility about various interfaces are provided to improve the convenience of a test performer and reduce terminal test time. CONSTITUTION: An RF performance jig for test of communication terminals includes a first RF connector(201), a second RF connector, a third connector, an RF switching unit(205), and a controller(507). The 1RF connector is connected to instrumentation. The second radio frequency connector is connected to the communication terminal. The third connector is connected to the computer in which the test software is performed. The fourth connector is connected to the communication terminal.

Description

Calibration Data Embedded Multi-ZIG for RF Test and RF Test Method for Communication Terminal RF Performance Test

The present invention relates to an auxiliary device for use in connection with a test apparatus of a portable internet terminal or a mobile communication terminal (hereinafter referred to as a portable internet terminal), and more particularly, a plurality of portable internet terminals in one test equipment. The present invention relates to a multi-jig built-in calibration data for testing power supply and RF performance of a plurality of terminals sequentially under the control of a control unit after connecting all the low-cost multi-jigs.

Today, the development of wireless Internet technology has led to the widespread introduction of portable Internet services. Accordingly, various types of portable Internet terminals have been developed.

The portable Internet service refers to a service that enables high-speed wireless Internet access anytime, anywhere, even during stoppages and movements using a portable Internet terminal. Portable Internet service technologies include Wibro (Mobile WiMAX), LTE, and IEEE 802.20. WiBro has been adopted as an official IEEE standard.

Recently, a portable Internet terminal (eg, WiBro Internet terminal), which is commercially available in Korea, can be freely used during high-speed movement by simply connecting to a laptop using a USB port.

During the development of the mobile Internet terminal, various performance characteristics are involved.

Conventionally, in order to perform such a test, a mobile Internet terminal to be developed, a measuring instrument connected to the terminal to perform various characteristic tests, and a computer device on which test software providing various functions for characteristic tests are executed are executed. The test was performed.

In addition, a test jig for easily connecting various types of terminals to a measuring instrument and a computer and a separate power supply for supplying power to the test jig were performed for the characteristic test of the portable Internet terminal. Figure 1a shows a conventional jig used for the performance test of the portable Internet terminal.

1B is a block diagram illustrating a performance test method of a conventional WiBro terminal. Conventionally, the WiBro terminal 130 is connected to a computer device 120 such as a laptop, on which test software is installed, through a USB port, the WiBro terminal 130 is connected to the instrument 110 with an RF cable, and the instrument 110 is connected to the WiBro terminal 130. The computer device 120 was connected and tested. In this process, the computer device 120 supplies power to the WiBro terminal 130 through a USB port.

As shown in Figure 1b, in the prior art was a structure for testing a terminal 1: 1 with one test equipment. Accordingly, when one terminal test is terminated, there is a problem in performing the test because a long time must be waited to connect and test the next terminal, and there is a problem in that the time of replacing the terminal is wasted whenever one test is finished. .

In addition, there is a problem in that an expensive instrument is used inefficiently by performing an RF performance test that takes a long test time even for a terminal requiring no RF performance test due to a problem in power performance.

In addition, with the rapid development of technology, as new technical standards emerge rapidly, a problem that the instrument does not satisfy interface compatibility for terminals having different interfaces is increasing.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, by connecting a plurality of portable Internet terminals to a jig at the same time and by sequentially testing the performance of the plurality of terminals through the control of the control unit in the jig a plurality of settings in one setting By performing the terminal performance test, the object is to reduce the terminal inspection time and to facilitate the test performer.

In addition, the power input part and current sensing circuit are embedded in the jig to supply stable power to the jig and test the power performance of the terminal through the current sensing circuit prior to performing the RF performance test. By not performing a long time RF performance test, the purpose is to reduce the overall test time and to test the power and RF performance of the terminal together.

In addition, even if an expensive measuring instrument provides a single interface, the jig has an interface conversion function that meets various technical standards, thereby improving compatibility with terminals having various interfaces.

In addition, the memory has a built-in calibration data to compensate for RF loss in the jig, improving the accuracy of RF performance measurement and eliminating the need to make adjustments to the equipment even if the jig is replaced. The purpose is to improve.

The jig for RF performance test of a plurality of communication terminals of the present invention for achieving the above object comprises a first RF connector for connecting to the instrument; A plurality of second RF connectors for connecting with a communication terminal; A third connector for connecting with a computer running test software; A plurality of fourth connectors for connecting with a communication terminal; An RF switch unit for connecting the first RF connector and the plurality of second RF connectors under control of a controller; A switch unit for connecting the third connector and the plurality of fourth connectors under control of a controller; And a controller configured to control a switching operation of the RF switch unit and the switch unit according to an external command or software.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of communication terminal RF performance test jig of the present invention includes a power input unit for receiving an external power source; It may further comprise a; power supply for supplying power to the plurality of communication terminal side the power input from the power input unit.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit includes a current sensing circuit and a power switching unit for sensing a current value supplied to each communication terminal, and the control unit includes a current sensed by the current sensing circuit. The method may further include a function of determining power performance of the plurality of communication terminals using the value.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of communication terminal RF performance test jig of the present invention further includes a memory having calibration data for compensating for the loss of each RF cable and the switch unit according to frequency. The controller may further include a function of compensating for losses occurring when measuring performance of a plurality of communication terminals by using data stored in the memory.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the third connector and the plurality of fourth connectors of the plurality of communication terminal RF performance test jigs of the present invention may be configured as USB connectors.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of communication terminal RF performance test jig of the present invention is connected to a third USB (USB) connector (USB to Serial) converter (USB to Serial); A plurality of fifth serial connectors for connecting to a communication terminal; The control unit may further include a serial switch unit for connecting the USB to Serial converter and the plurality of fifth serial connectors.

A method for testing the performance of a plurality of communication terminals includes supplying power to the plurality of communication terminals through a jig; Detecting the current supplied to each communication terminal by using a current sensing circuit provided in the jig to test whether the power performance of each communication terminal is normal; Testing RF performance by connecting an RF switch unit and a USB switch unit or a serial switch unit; Checking the power supply performance and RF performance test results; may be made.

Another method for testing the performance of a plurality of communication terminals according to another embodiment of the present invention is to test the RF performance, and then determine whether power supply performance is normal or not. It may be made further including a case; determining whether the power supply performance normal to test the RF performance only.

Another method for testing the performance of a plurality of communication terminals of the present invention according to another embodiment further comprises the step of correcting the RF performance measurement value using the calibration (calibration) data stored in the memory in the jig; It can also be done.

The jig for performance test of a plurality of communication terminals of the present invention has the advantage of being able to connect a plurality of communication terminals at the same time to perform a plurality of terminal tests through one connection operation.

 This advantage provides the test performer with the convenience of work and the opportunity to perform other tasks while the terminal test is in progress.

In addition, it is possible to improve the reliability of the test by almost matching the test environment between terminals.

In addition, one-time connection work can reduce the unnecessary time spent between each terminal test, and test the power performance first to perform a time-consuming RF performance test on terminals with abnormal power performance. If you do not have a bad terminal can be screened, faster and more efficient test can be performed.

In addition, the jig for performance test of the plurality of communication terminals of the present invention has the effect of increasing the compatibility of the equipment by providing an interface to various communication standards, such as USB (serial).

In addition, the data on the RF cable loss factor between the instrument and the terminal is embedded in the memory inside the jig of the present invention, thereby increasing the fluidity and compatibility of the equipment, thereby eliminating the need for a separate calibration for the RF loss. And shorten the equipment installation time.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the jig for testing a plurality of communication terminals of the present invention.

2 is an overall block diagram of a jig for testing a plurality of communication terminals according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of communication terminal test jig 200 according to the first exemplary embodiment may include a first RF connector 201, a plurality of second RF connectors 202, and a third connector 203. ), A plurality of fourth connectors 204, an RF switch unit 205, a switch unit 206, a power input unit 208, a power supply unit 207, and a control unit 209.

In the above-described configuration, the inside and the outside of the first RF connector 201 are connected to the inside of the RF switch unit 205 and the outside of the instrument 110 through an RF cable. Inside and outside of the plurality of second RF connectors 202 are connected to the inside of the RF switch unit 205 and the outside of the mobile Internet terminal 130 through the RF cable.

The inner side and the outer side of the third connector 203 are respectively connected to the switch unit 206 and the outer side of the third connector 203 through a predetermined cable. The third connector 203 may be composed of a commercially available USB connector, a serial connector, or an IEEE1394 connector. The cable connecting the inside and the outside of the third connector 203 is composed of a cable having the same interface as the interface of the third connector 203. Inner and outer sides of the plurality of fourth connectors 204 are respectively connected to the switch unit 206 and the outer side to the portable Internet terminal 130 through predetermined cables. The fourth connector 204 may be composed of a commercially available USB (USB) connector, a serial (serial) connector or an IEEE1394 connector. The cable connecting the inside and the outside of the fourth connector 204 is composed of a cable having the same interface as the interface of the fourth connector 204.

The RF switch unit 205 sequentially connects the first RF connector and the plurality of second RF connectors under the control of the control unit 209, and the switch unit 206 sequentially turns the third RF connector under the control of the control unit 209. Connect the connector and the plurality of fourth connectors.

The power input unit 208 is connected to an external commercial power supply to supply a constant power to the power supply unit 207, the power supply unit 207 supplies a constant current to the portable Internet terminal. The control unit 209 is connected to the RF switch unit 205, the switch unit 206, and the power supply unit 207, and controls the sequential switching of the RF switch unit 205 and the switch unit 206.

3 is an outer perspective view of the jig 200 for testing a plurality of communication terminals of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the jig 200 is connected to the measuring instrument 110, the computer 12, and the plurality of terminals 130.

4 is a configuration diagram of a power supply unit 207 according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the power supply unit 207 may include a current sensing circuit 410 and a power switch unit 420. The current sensing circuit 410 of FIG. 4 is just one embodiment and may be implemented in other forms. The current sensing circuit 410 and the power switch unit 420 may supply power to the portable Internet terminal 130 simultaneously or sequentially under the control of the controller 209 and also by measuring the strength of the current flowing through the terminal. You can test whether there is a power supply failure.

5 is an overall block diagram of a jig for testing a plurality of communication terminals according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the multiple communication terminal test jig 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a first RF connector 201, a plurality of second RF connectors 202, and a third USB (USB). ) 540, a plurality of fourth USB (USB) connector 550, RF switch unit 205, USB (USB) switch unit 560, power input unit 208, power supply unit 207, control unit ( 570, a USB to Serial converter 510, a plurality of fifth serial connectors 530, a serial switch unit 520, and a memory 580. In addition, the power supply unit 207 includes a current sensing circuit 410 and the power switch unit 420. Configuration and functions of the first RF connector 201, the plurality of second RF connectors 202, the RF switch unit 205, and the power input unit 208 are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

The USB to Serial converter 510 connects the third USB connector 540 and the serial switch unit 520. The serial switch 520 sequentially connects the third USB connector 540 and the plurality of fifth USB connectors 530 under the control of the controller 209.

Connection and function of the third USB connector 540, the plurality of fourth USB connectors 550, and the USB switch unit 560 may be performed by connecting the third connector 203 and the fourth connector ( 204, the connection and function of the switch unit 206 is the same.

The power supply unit 207 is connected to supply a constant power to a plurality of terminals as shown in Figure 5, under the control of the controller current sensing circuit 410 detects the current flowing through each terminal power supply abnormality Test for presence The power switching unit 420 sequentially connects the terminals under the control of the controller 570.

The controller 570 controls the current sensing circuit 410 to perform a power performance test, and controls the RF switch unit 205, the USB switch unit 560, the serial switch unit 520, and the power switch unit 420. Control the connection. The control unit 570 tests the power supply performance by sequentially connecting the power switch unit 420 first, and the RF switch unit 205, the USB switch unit 560, and the serial switch unit only for terminals having no abnormality in power supply performance. The connection of 520 may be controlled to test the RF performance. In addition, the control unit 570 first controls the power switch unit 420 to test the power performance of the first terminal, and next, the RF switch unit 205, the UES position only when the power performance of the first terminal is not abnormal. The controller 560 and the serial switch unit 520 may be controlled to test the RF performance of the terminal, and when the RF performance test of the first terminal is completed, the power supply performance and the RF performance test of the next terminal may be performed. .

Hereinafter, a method for testing RF performance of a plurality of communication terminals using the plurality of communication terminal test jig of the present invention will be described in detail.

First, a method of testing power supply performance will be described.

Power is supplied to the jig 200 while the jig 200, the computer 120, the portable internet terminal 130, and the measuring device 110 are connected to each other. Next, the current sensing circuit 410 receives power from the power input unit 208 and supplies constant power to each of the portable Internet terminal 130. The control unit 570 determines whether there is an abnormality in the current flowing through each portable Internet terminal 130 through the current sensing circuit 410 and transmits a test result to the computer 120.

The RF performance test of the portable Internet terminal is a basic test of whether the wireless communication of the terminal is normally performed and checks whether there is any problem in the transmission mode (TX mode) and the reception mode (RX mode).

Hereinafter, a method of testing the RF performance of the portable Internet terminal will be described. In the RX performance test method of the portable internet terminal 130, first, a command for testing is transmitted from the computer 120 to the measuring instrument 110, and the measuring instrument 110 receiving the command is sent to the portable internet terminal 130. The RF signal is transmitted via the RF switch unit 205 of the jig 200. Next, the computer 120 receives the RF signal value received by the portable Internet terminal 130.

In the TX performance test method of the portable Internet terminal 130, first, a command for testing is transmitted from the computer 120 to the portable Internet terminal 130, and the portable Internet terminal 130 receiving the command is a measuring instrument 110. RF signal is transmitted via the RF switch unit 205 of the jig 200. Next, the computer 120 receives the RF signal value received by the instrument 110.

Since the specific RF performance test method including the calibration belongs to the prior art, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

6A is a flowchart of a method for testing RF performance of multiple communication terminals using a jig according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the measuring instrument 110, the jig 200, the computer 120, and the plurality of terminals 130 are connected to each other, and then, power is supplied to the jig. (S110) Next, the current sensing circuit 410 supplies power. A power performance test is performed on the terminal connected by the switch unit 420. (S120) Next, an RF performance test is performed on the terminal. (S130) When the test is finished, switch to the next terminal to perform the power performance test. And repeat the RF performance test. When the test for all terminals is completed, the test results are corrected using the built-in calibration data for the test results for all the terminals. (S140) Next, the power and RF performance test results are checked.

6B is a flowchart of a method for testing RF performance of multiple communication terminals using a jig according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the measuring instrument 110, the jig 200, the computer 120, and the plurality of terminals 130 are connected to each other, and then, power is supplied to the jig. (S210) Next, the current sensing circuit 410 supplies power. A power performance test is performed on the terminals connected by the switch unit 420. (S220) The test is performed on all terminals simultaneously or sequentially by controlling the power switch unit 420 under the control of the controller 570. Do it repeatedly. Next, the control unit 570 is the first switch of the RF switch unit 205 and the switch unit 206 (except for the switch unit 206 in FIG. 5, the USB switch unit 560 and the serial switch unit 520). Connect to and perform an RF performance test for the first terminal. (S230) After the test is completed, switch to the next terminal to repeat the RF performance test. When the test for all terminals is finished, the test results are corrected using the built-in calibration data for the test results for all terminals. (S240) Next, the power performance and RF performance test results are checked. (S250)

7A is a flowchart of a method for testing RF performance of multiple communication terminals using a jig according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the measuring instrument 110, the jig 200, the computer 120, and the plurality of terminals 130 are connected to each other, and then the power is supplied to the jig. (S310) Next, the current sensing circuit 410 supplies power. The power supply performance test is performed on the terminal connected by the switch unit 420. (S320) If there is no abnormality in the power performance by checking the power performance test result, the RF performance test step is entered, and if there is an abnormality in the power performance. The RF performance test is skipped and switched to the next terminal. (S325) Next, the RF performance test is performed only on the terminal having no abnormal power supply performance. (S330) When the test is finished, the RF terminal performs the test by repeatedly switching to the next terminal. do. When the test for all terminals is finished, the test results are corrected using the built-in calibration data for the test results for all terminals. (S340) Next, the power performance and RF performance test results are checked.

7B is a flowchart of a method for testing RF performance of multiple communication terminals using a jig according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the measuring instrument 110, the jig 200, the computer 120, and the plurality of terminals 130 are connected to each other, and then the power is supplied to the jig. (S410) Next, the current sensing circuit 410 supplies power. A power performance test is performed on the terminals connected by the switch unit 420. (S420) The test controls the power switch unit 420 according to the control of the controller 570 to simultaneously or sequentially all the terminals. Repeatedly, the result is stored in the memory of the jig 200 and / or the computer 120.

Next, the control unit 570 searches the power performance test result stored in the memory to determine a portable Internet terminal having no power failure. (S425) The control unit 570 is an RF switch unit corresponding to the terminal having no power failure (S425). 205 and the switch 206 (except for the switch 206 according to the embodiment of FIG. 5), the switch of the USB switch unit 560 and the serial switch unit 520 is connected and there is no power failure. The RF performance test is performed on the terminal. (S430) After the RF performance test is completed, a terminal having no power failure is determined next, and switching to connect the corresponding terminal is repeated to perform the RF performance test. When the test for all terminals is finished, the test results are corrected using the built-in calibration data for the test results for all terminals. (S440) Next, the power performance and RF performance test results are checked. (S450)

The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the accompanying drawings, various substitutions, modifications and changes are possible within the scope without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention and the embodiments described above The scope of rights is not limited.

1A is a perspective view of a jig for testing a conventional portable Internet terminal;

Figure 1b is a block diagram of the performance test connection of the conventional WiBro terminal,

2 is an internal structural block diagram of a jig for performance test of a plurality of communication terminals according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

3 is an external perspective view of a jig for performance test of a plurality of communication terminals of the present invention;

4 is an internal configuration diagram of a power supply unit of the present invention,

5 is an internal structural block diagram of a jig for performance test of a plurality of communication terminals according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

6A is a block diagram illustrating a method for testing a portable Internet terminal performance using a jig for performance testing of multiple communication terminals according to an embodiment of the present invention;

6B is a block diagram illustrating a method for testing a portable Internet terminal performance using a jig for performance testing of multiple communication terminals according to another embodiment of the present invention;

7A is a block diagram illustrating a portable internet terminal performance test method using a jig for performance testing of multiple communication terminals according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a block diagram illustrating a portable internet terminal performance test method using a jig for performance testing of multiple communication terminals according to another embodiment of the present invention.

*** Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing ***

110: instrument, 120: computer,

130: portable internet terminal, 200: test jig,

201: first RF connector 202: second RF connector

205: RF switch unit 207: power supply unit

208: power input unit 410: current sensing circuit

420: power switch 510: USB_Serial converter

520: the serial switch unit 530: the fifth serial connector

540: third USB connector 550: fourth USB connector

560: USB switch unit 570: control unit

580: memory

Claims (9)

A first RF connector for connecting with the meter; A plurality of second RF connectors for connecting with a communication terminal; A third connector for connecting with a computer running test software; A plurality of fourth connectors for connecting with a communication terminal; An RF switch unit for connecting the first RF connector and the plurality of second RF connectors under control of a controller; A switch unit for connecting the third connector and the plurality of fourth connectors under control of a controller; And a control unit for controlling the switching operation of the RF switch unit and the switch unit according to an external command or software. The method of claim 1, A power input unit for receiving external power; The jig for RF performance test of a plurality of communication terminals further comprising; a power supply for supplying power to the plurality of communication terminals to the power input from the power input unit. The method of claim 2, The power supply unit includes a current sensing circuit and a power switching unit for sensing a current value supplied to each communication terminal side, The control unit is a jig for RF performance test of the plurality of communication terminals, characterized in that for determining the power supply performance of the plurality of communication terminals using the current value sensed by the current sensing circuit. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, And a memory having calibration data for compensating for the loss of each of the RF cable and the switch unit according to a frequency. The control unit is a jig for the RF performance test of the plurality of communication terminals, characterized in that for compensating for the loss caused when measuring the performance of the plurality of communication terminals using the data stored in the memory. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Jig for RF performance test of a plurality of communication terminals, characterized in that the third connector and the plurality of fourth connectors are USB (USB) connector. The method of claim 5, A USB to Serial converter for connecting with a third USB connector; A plurality of fifth serial connectors for connecting to a communication terminal; RF of a plurality of communication terminals further comprising a serial switch unit for connecting the USB to Serial converter and the plurality of fifth serial connectors under control of a controller. Jig for performance test. In the method for testing the performance of a plurality of communication terminals, Supplying power to a plurality of communication terminal sides through a jig; Detecting the current supplied to each communication terminal by using a current sensing circuit provided in the jig to test whether the power performance of each communication terminal is normal; Testing RF performance by connecting an RF switch unit and a USB switch unit or a serial switch unit; Checking the power performance and RF performance test results; and testing RF performance of a plurality of communication terminals using a jig. The method of claim 7, wherein Jig, characterized in that it further comprises; after the RF performance, determining whether the power performance is normal or not, the power performance normal whether or not to test the RF performance only in the communication terminal is determined that the power performance is normal; Method for testing RF performance of multiple communication terminals. The method according to claim 7 or 8, And calibrating the RF performance measurement value using calibration data stored in the memory in the jig. The method for testing RF performance of a plurality of communication terminals using a jig.

Images