System and method for data packet transceiver testing after signal calibration and power settling to minimize test time
View Patent ↗A system and method for testing one or more wireless data packet signal transceiver devices under test (DUTs). Incoming data packets from a DUT are monitored to discern between data packets transmitted as part of a DUT calibration cycle or initial data packets being transmitted as the DUT transmitter circuitry settles at its new settings (e.g., transmit signal frequency or power), and later data packets transmitted following completion of the DUT calibration cycle or settling of the DUT transmitter circuitry. Following identification of these later data packets, the tester is so notified and begins the test procedure, e.g., capturing the data packets for analysis. Meanwhile, the tester has been allowed to remain in active use for other test purposes during DUT calibration cycles and settling intervals, thereby increasing testing efficiency and reducing overall test time.
1. An apparatus including a system for testing one or more wireless data packet signal transceiver devices under test (DUTs), comprising:
signal routing circuitry to convey one or more data packet signals from a corresponding one or more DUTs;
measurement circuitry coupled to said signal routing circuitry to measure said one or more data packet signals and in response thereto provide one or more measurement signals related to at least one of a duration and power level of each of said one or more data packet signals;
control circuitry coupled to said measurement circuitry and responsive to said one or more measurement signals by providing one or more control signals indicative of when each of said at least one of a duration and power level of each of said one or more data packet signals has a value within a respective predetermined range; and
test circuitry coupled to said signal routing circuitry and said control circuitry, and responsive to said one or more control signals by capturing at least a respective portion of each of said one or more data packet signals for which said one or more control signals is indicative of each of said at least one of a duration and power level of a corresponding one of said one or more data packet signals having a value within said respective predetermined range.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said signal routing circuitry comprises one or more signal dividers.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said signal routing circuitry comprises one or more signal couplers.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said measurement circuitry comprises one or more signal power sensors.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said measurement circuitry comprises one or more signal power meters.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
said one or more measurement signals include a plurality of signal data representing said each of said at least one of a duration and power level of each of said one or more data packet signals; and
said control circuitry comprises processing circuitry to compare said plurality of signal data with a plurality of range data representing said respective predetermined range for each of said at least one of a duration and power level of each of said one or more data packet signals.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said test circuitry comprises a vector signal analyzer.
8. A method of testing one or more wireless data packet signal transceiver devices under test (DUTs), comprising:
conveying one or more data packet signals from a corresponding one or more DUTs;
measuring said one or more data packet signals to provide one or more measurement signals related to at least one of a duration and power level of each of said one or more data packet signals;
responding to said one or more measurement signals by providing one or more control signals indicative of when each of said at least one of a duration and power level of each of said one or more data packet signals has a value within a respective predetermined range; and
responding to said one or more control signals by capturing at least a respective portion of each of said one or more data packet signals for which said one or more control signals is indicative of each of said at least one of a duration and power level of a corresponding one of said one or more data packet signals having a value within said respective predetermined range.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said conveying one or more data packet signals comprises power-dividing each of said one or more data packet signals.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein said conveying one or more data packet signals comprises power-coupling each of said one or more data packet signals.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein said measuring said one or more data packet signals comprises sensing a power of each of said one or more data packet signals with a respective signal power sensor.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein said measuring said one or more data packet signals comprises measuring a power of each of said one or more data packet signals with a respective signal power meter.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein:
said one or more measurement signals include a plurality of signal data representing said each of said at least one of a duration and power level of each of said one or more data packet signals; and
said responding to said one or more measurement signals comprises comparing said plurality of signal data with a plurality of range data representing said respective predetermined range for each of said at least one of a duration and power level of each of said one or more data packet signals.
14. The method of claim 8 , wherein said responding to said one or more control signals comprises capturing said at least a respective portion of each of said one or more data packet signals with a vector signal analyzer.