National Instruments Corporation

Gerardo Orozco Valdes

Craig Eugene Rupp

Vijaya Yajnanarayana

I Zakir Ahmed

Thomas Deckert

Christopher N White

Johannes D H Lange

Karl F Grosz

Dong Chen

Chen Chang

David M Crowley

Abram H Rose, Iv

Johannes DH Lange

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for verifying alignment of a compact antenna test range (CATR) are presented. A radio frequency (RF) profile may be generated based on test signals received by a reference antenna at a plurality of orientations. Phase and amplitude data of the RF profile may be used to determine whether the CATR is aligned properly.

Compact antenna test range (CATR) alignment verification

Various embodiments are presented of a system including an alignment fixture for testing (e.g., rapidly and cheaply) phased array antennas and other devices configured for radio frequency (RF) transmission and/or reception. A device to be tested (e.g., the device under test (DUT)) may be positioned in a testing position by the alignment fixture. The alignment fixture may provide a configurable level of friction to retain the DUT in the testing position. The alignment fixture may provide isolation from electromagnetic interference for the DUT while in the testing position.

Over-the-air testing interface for phase array antennas

Antenna characterization systems and methods are described for hardware-timed testing of integrated circuits (IC) with integrated antennas configured for over-the-air transmission and/or reception. An IC to be tested (e.g., the device under test (DUT)) may be mounted to an adjustable positioner in an anechoic chamber. Radio frequency (RF) characteristics (e.g., including transmission characteristics, reception characteristics, and/or beamforming characteristics) of the IC may be tested over-the-air using an array of antennas or probes within the anechoic chamber while continually transitioning the adjustable positioner through a plurality of orientations. Counters and reference trigger intelligence may be employed to correlate measurement results with orientations of the DUT.

Hardware timed over-the-air antenna characterization

Correlation of device-under-test orientations and radio frequency measurements

Method and system for a test process. The method may include performing tests on one or more units under test (UUTs). At least one test on one or more UUTs may be performed. A signal may be acquired from the UUT. A reference signal may be retrieved. The reference signal may be derived from a transmitted signal characteristic of the UUT. The signal may be analyzed with respect to the reference signal. Results, useable to characterize the one or more UUTs, from performing the at least one test on the one or more UUTs may be stored. The reference signal may be derived from an initial test and may be stored for subsequent retrieval. A respective reference signal may be retrieved for all UUTs of the one or more UUTs for a respective test. The signal may be a radio frequency signal. The UUT may be a wireless mobile device.

Unit testing and analysis of multiple UUTs

Unit testing and analysis using a stored reference signal

A system and method for estimating a time delay introduced by an envelope tracking amplifier (ETA) of a transmitter. The ETA receives a first baseband signal that is generated by the transmitter and operates on the first baseband signal to produce an output signal. The receiver receives a second baseband signal in response to the transmitter's transmission of the output signal. The receiver generates a model signal that represents an estimate of the first baseband signal. The receiver computes a first time delay between the amplitude envelopes of the second baseband signal and the model signal. The receiver computes a second time delay between phase signals derived respectively from the second baseband signal and the model signal. The receiver estimates the time delay that is introduced by the ETA of the transmitter by subtracting the second time delay from the first time delay.

Amplitude/phase delay calibration for envelope-tracking amplifier

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Gerardo Orozco Valdes