Patent Application
20210018561
The invention relates to a measurement system and a corresponding measurement method for automated measurement of several contributions to signal degradation.
Generally, in times of an increasing number of applications providing communication capabilities, there is a growing need of a measurement system and a corresponding measurement method for performing an automated measurement of several contributions to signal degradation with respect to a device under test comprising such an application in order to verify correct functioning of said applications in a highly accurate and efficient manner.
A method for measuring non-linear distortion using a multi-toned test signal is known from US 2019/0064236 A1.
In this context of testing, with the aid of common measuring devices or measurement systems, respectively, only one error vector magnitude (EVM) value can be measured, which describes the respective signal degradation. In addition to this, it is noted that this degradation has multiple reasons such as noise, non-linearities, frequency response/memory effects, frequency offset, I/Q imbalance, I/Q offset, phase drift, amplitude droop, or any combination thereof. Disadvantageously, as a consequence of the single error vector magnitude value, just the sum of all effects can be obtained. Therefore, as a further disadvantage, the respective device under test cannot efficiently be improved on the basis of said common measurement result.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide a measurement system and a corresponding measurement method for automated measurement of several contributions to signal degradation, whereby both a high accuracy and a high efficiency are ensured. Additionally, as a further advantage, the corresponding effects or contributions, respectively, can automatically be separated and optionally be displayed. In other words, the independent causes for the signal degradation can automatically be identified and quantified. Thus, a user can see at one glance which effects cause a measured error vector magnitude and not just the sum of all effects. This makes it easier for the user to decide which measures promise the biggest benefit to improve the device under test.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a measurement system for automated measurement of several contributions to signal degradation is provided. Said measurement system comprises a device under test, a signal analyzer, and a controller. In this context, the controller comprises at least one command sequence for the device under test and/or the signal analyzer. In addition to this, each of the at least one command sequence comprises respective commands to compensate for a specific cause of signal degradation. Advantageously, not only a high accuracy but also a high efficiency can be ensured. Further advantageously, the independent causes for the signal degradation can automatically be identified and quantified with the aid of the measurement system.
According to a first preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the measurement system further comprises a signal generator, wherein the controller comprises at least one command sequence for the device under test and/or the signal analyzer and/or the signal generator. Advantageously, for instance, both measurement accuracy and efficiency can further be increased.
According to a second preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the measurement system, preferably the controller of the measurement system, is configured to eliminate a certain cause of signal degradation from the device under test by running several command sequences for different combinations of compensations to obtain a compensated measurement. Advantageously, for example, not only measurement efficiency but also measurement accuracy can further be increased.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the measurement system, preferably the controller of the measurement system, is configured to provide a report showing the contributions of the corresponding different causes of signal degradation. Advantageously, for instance, measurement results can efficiently be displayed.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the signal analyzer comprises the controller. Advantageously, for example, complexity can be reduced, which leads to an increased efficiency.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the measurement system further comprises a personal computer, wherein the personal computer comprises the controller. Advantageously, for instance, simplicity can be increased, thereby increasing efficiency.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, at least two of the several contributions depend upon one another. Advantageously, for example, measurement accuracy can further be increased.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the measurement system, preferably the controller of the measurement system, is configured to perform each permutation of at least a part of the several contributions. Advantageously, for instance, the occurrence of measurement errors can further be reduced.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, preferably with respect to the signal analyzer, the several contributions comprise at least one of an enabled equalizer, a disabled equalizer, an enabled pre-distortion, a disabled pre-distortion, an enabled digital pre-distortion, a disabled digital pre-distortion, or any combination thereof. Advantageously, for example, both measurement efficiency and accuracy can further be increased.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the measurement system, preferably the controller of the measurement system, is configured to acquire a different frequency response contribution with compensated non-linearities especially by performing each permutation of at least a part of the several contributions. Advantageously, for instance, not only measurement accuracy but also measurement efficiency can further be increased.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the different frequency response contribution with compensated non-linearities gets different impact of unwanted linear effects. Advantageously, for example, inaccuracy can further be reduced.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the measurement system, preferably the controller of the measurement system, is configured to analyze a noise contribution by command sequences creating several measurements and I/Q averaging on the signal analyzer. Advantageously, for instance, measurement exactness can further be increased.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the measurement system, preferably the controller of the measurement system, is configured to compensate unwanted linear effects with command sequences comparing an ideal signal with the respective measured signal. Advantageously, said ideal signal may be simulated by the measurement system, preferably by the controller of the measurement system. Further advantageously, additional components are not necessary, which leads to reduced costs and an increased efficiency.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the measurement system, preferably the controller of the measurement system, is configured to compensate unwanted linear effects by creating respective equalized values. Advantageously, for instance, both measurement exactness and measurement efficiency can further be increased.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the measurement system, preferably the controller of the measurement system, is configured to compensate unwanted linear effects with command sequences comprising pre-distortion, especially digital pre-distortion. Advantageously, for example, not only accuracy but also efficiency can be increased.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the measurement system, preferably the controller of the measurement system, is configured to compensate unwanted linear effects with command sequences using modeling techniques, especially polynomial modeling techniques, based on the corresponding measured data. Advantageously, for instance, measurement exactness can further be increasing, thereby also increasing measurement efficiency.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the measurement system, preferably the controller of the measurement system, is configured to illustrate respective proportions with the aid of a pie chart. Advantageously, said illustration may be performed with the aid of a display in a highly efficient manner.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the measurement system, preferably the controller of the measurement system, is configured to show respective proportions with the aid of a permutations table in order to illustrate the corresponding dependencies in the contributions. Advantageously, for instance, a user can see at one glance which effects cause a measured error vector magnitude and not just the sum of all effects.
According to a further preferred implementation form of the first aspect of the invention, the measurement system, preferably the controller of the measurement system, is configured to highlight an intensity of a respective contribution with a corresponding color. Advantageously, for example, efficiency of the respective illustration can further be increased.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a measurement method for automated measurement of several contributions to signal degradation is provided. Said measurement method comprises the step of generating at least one command sequence for a device under test and/or a signal analyzer with the aid of a controller. In this context, each of the at least one command sequence comprises respective commands to compensate for a specific cause of signal degradation. Advantageously, not only a high accuracy but also a high efficiency can be ensured. Further advantageously, the independent causes for the signal degradation can automatically be identified and quantified with the aid of the measurement system.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are now further explained with respect to the drawings by way of example only, and not for limitation. In the drawings:
Firstly,
As it can further be seen from
It is generally noted that the at least one command sequence may also comprise or be at last one test sequence. The at least one command sequence or test sequence, respectively, may be run individually and may be used to determine independent measurements.
In this context, for instance, I/Q averaging may be used to determine the respective signal-to-noise ratio, exemplarily the signal-to-noise ratio of a satellite down-link), especially without disconnecting the corresponding signal or carrier or signal carrier.
Advantageously, pure signal power and noise power can be measured separately and preferably in the same channel especially without disconnecting the corresponding signal or carrier or signal carrier. Further advantageously, especially rather than calculating the respective noise figure from a decrease in power during I/Q averaging, the derived noise power and signal power may be used to calculate the signal-to-noise ratio.
Accordingly, as it will be mentioned again in the following, on the one hand, the measurement system, preferably the controller 13 of the measurement system, may analyze a noise contribution by command sequences creating several measurements and I/Q averaging on the signal analyzer 12.
On the other hand, the signal analyzer 12 may measure pure signal power and pure noise power separately and preferably in the same channel especially without disconnecting the corresponding signal or carrier or signal carrier. In addition to this, the measurement system, preferably the controller 13 of the measurement system, may use the respective measured or derived signal power and the respective measured or derived noise power to calculate the corresponding signal-to-noise ratio. With respect to the derived signal power and the derived noise power, it is noted that the derived signal power and the derived noise power may especially be based on I/Q averaging.
Moreover, according to a second exemplary embodiment of the measurement system 10b shown in
In this context, the controller 13 comprises at least one command sequence for the device under test 11 and/or the signal analyzer 12 and/or the signal generator 14. In addition to this, each of the at least one command sequence comprises respective commands to compensate for a specific cause of signal degradation.
As it can further be seen from
With respect to the each of the exemplary embodiments according to
Further advantageously, the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, preferably the controller 13 of the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, may provide a report showing the contributions of the corresponding different causes of signal degradation.
In this context, it might be particularly advantageous if the measurement system further comprises a display 15 according to the third exemplary embodiment 10c of
In accordance with the fourth exemplary embodiment 10d of
As an alternative, in accordance with fifth exemplary embodiment 10e according to
Moreover, in accordance with the sixth exemplary embodiment of inventive measurement system 10f according to
As it can further be seen from said
As an alternative, it is noted that the controller 13 of the personal computer 16 may advantageously be connected to at least one of the device under test 11, the signal analyzer 12, the signal generator 14, the display 15, or any combination thereof.
With respect to each of the exemplary embodiments 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, it might be particularly advantageous if at least two of the several contributions depend upon one another. Alternatively, it is noted that all of the several contributions may depend upon one another.
In addition to this or as an alternative, the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, preferably the controller 13 of the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, may advantageously perform each permutation of at least a part of the several contributions.
Further additionally or further alternatively, preferably with respect to the signal analyzer 12, the several contributions may comprise at least one of an enabled equalizer, a disabled equalizer, an enabled pre-distortion, a disabled pre-distortion, an enabled digital pre-distortion, a disabled digital pre-distortion, or any combination thereof.
In further addition to this or as a further alternative, the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, preferably the controller 13 of the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, may acquire a different frequency response contribution with compensated non-linearities especially by performing each permutation of at least a part of the several contributions.
In this context, the different frequency response contribution with compensated non-linearities may advantageously get different impact of unwanted linear effects.
Moreover, also with respect to each of the exemplary embodiments 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, preferably the controller 13 of the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, may analyze a noise contribution by command sequences creating several measurements and I/Q averaging on the signal analyzer.
In addition to this or as an alternative, the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, preferably the controller 13 of the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, may advantageously compensate unwanted linear effects with command sequences comparing an ideal signal with the respective measured signal.
Further additionally or further alternatively, the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, preferably the controller 13 of the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, may compensate unwanted linear effects by creating respective equalized values.
In further addition to this or as a further alternative, it might be particularly advantageous if the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, preferably the controller 13 of the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, compensates unwanted linear effects with command sequences comprising pre-distortion, especially digital pre-distortion.
Further additionally or further alternatively, the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, preferably the controller 13 of the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, may advantageously compensate unwanted linear effects with command sequences using modeling techniques, especially polynomial modeling techniques, based on the corresponding measured data.
In further addition to this or as a further alternative, it is noted that the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, preferably the controller 13 of the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, may illustrate respective proportions with the aid of a pie chart. In this context, it is noted that for the purpose of illustration, the display 15 may advantageously be used.
Again, with respect to each of the exemplary embodiments 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, preferably the controller 13 of the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, may advantageously show respective proportions with the aid of a permutations table in order to illustrate the corresponding dependencies in the contributions. In this context, as already mentioned above, it is noted again that for the purpose of illustration, the display 15 may advantageously be used.
Additionally or alternatively, the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d 10e, 10f, preferably the controller 13 of the measurement system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, may advantageously highlight an intensity of a respective contribution with a corresponding color. In this context, as an example, red may be used for a high intensity. Further exemplarily, blue may be used for a low intensity.
Finally,
It is generally noted that the at least one command sequence may also comprise or be at last one test sequence. The at least one command sequence or test sequence, respectively, may be run individually and may be used to determine independent measurements.
In this context, for instance, I/Q averaging may be used to determine the respective signal-to-noise ratio, exemplarily the signal-to-noise ratio of a satellite down-link), especially without disconnecting the corresponding signal or carrier or signal carrier.
Advantageously, pure signal power and noise power can be measured separately and preferably in the same channel especially without disconnecting the corresponding signal or carrier or signal carrier. Further advantageously, especially rather than calculating the respective noise figure from a decrease in power during I/Q averaging, the derived noise power and signal power may be used to calculate the signal-to-noise ratio.
Accordingly, as it will be mentioned again in the following, on the one hand, the measurement method may further comprise the step of analyzing a noise contribution on the basis of I/Q averaging, especially on the basis of a decrease in power during I/Q averaging.
On the other hand, the signal analyzer may measure pure signal power and pure noise power separately and preferably in the same channel especially without disconnecting the corresponding signal or carrier or signal carrier. In addition to this, preferably the controller may use the respective measured or derived signal power and the respective measured or derived noise power to calculate the corresponding signal-to-noise ratio. With respect to the derived signal power and the derived noise power, it is noted that the derived signal power and the derived noise power may especially be based on I/Q averaging.
In other words, the method may further comprise the step of measuring pure signal power and pure noise power separately and preferably in the same channel especially without disconnecting the corresponding signal or carrier or signal carrier. In addition to this, the method may further comprise the step of using the respective measured or derived signal power and the respective measured or derived noise power to calculate the corresponding signal-to-noise ratio. With respect to the derived signal power and the derived noise power, as already mentioned above, it is noted that the derived signal power and the derived noise power may especially be based on I/Q averaging.
It is noted that it might be particularly advantageous if the measurement method further comprises the step of eliminating a certain cause of signal degradation from the device under test by running several command sequences for different combinations of compensations to obtain a compensated measurement.
In addition to this or as an alternative, the measurement method may advantageously comprise the step of providing a report showing the contributions of the corresponding different causes of signal degradation.
It is further noted that the above-mentioned signal analyzer may advantageously comprise the controller. Moreover, the measurement method may further comprise the step of using a personal computer, wherein the personal computer especially comprises the controller. With respect to the contributions, it is noted that at least two of the several contributions may especially depend upon one another.
Additionally or alternatively, preferably with respect to the signal analyzer, the several contributions comprise at least one of an enabled equalizer, a disabled equalizer, an enabled pre-distortion, a disabled pre-distortion, an enabled digital pre-distortion, a disabled digital pre-distortion, or any combination thereof.
Furthermore, it might be particularly advantageous if the measurement method further comprises the step of performing each permutation of at least a part of the several contributions.
In addition to this or as an alternative, the measurement method may advantageously comprise the step of acquiring a different frequency response contribution with compensated non-linearities especially by performing each permutation of at least a part of the several contributions. In this context, the different frequency response contribution with compensated non-linearities may get different impact of unwanted linear effects.
Moreover, as already mentioned above, it might be particularly advantageous if the measurement method further comprises the step of analyzing a noise contribution by command sequences creating several measurements and I/Q averaging on the signal analyzer.
Additionally or alternatively, the measurement method may further comprise the step of compensating unwanted linear effects with command sequences comparing an ideal signal with the respective measured signal. Further additionally or further alternatively, the measurement method may preferably comprise the step of compensating unwanted linear effects by creating respective equalized values.
In addition to this or as an alternative, the measurement method may further comprise the step of compensating unwanted linear effects with command sequences comprising pre-distortion, especially digital pre-distortion.
In further addition to this or as a further alternative, the measurement method may advantageously comprise the step of compensating unwanted linear effects with command sequences using modeling techniques, especially polynomial modeling techniques, based on the corresponding measured data.
It is further noted that it might be particularly advantageous if the measurement method comprises the step of illustrating respective proportions with the aid of a pie chart.
Additionally or alternatively, the measurement method may preferably comprise the step of showing respective proportions with the aid of a permutations table in order to illustrate the corresponding dependencies in the contributions.
In further addition to this or as a further alternative, the measurement method may advantageously comprise the step of highlighting an intensity of a respective contribution with a corresponding color.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
Although the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of serveral implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.
