Abstract:
A universal testing system platform with a modular and symmetrical design that provides a flexible, efficient and space saving architecture for testing wireless devices is disclosed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/866,720 entitled “Core Testing Machine,” filed Sep. 25, 2015, and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/866,752 entitled “Universal Device Testing Interface,” filed Sep. 25, 2015, and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/866,630 entitled “Universal Device Testing System,” filed Sep. 25, 2015, and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/866,780 entitled “Set Top Boxes Under Test,” filed Sep. 25, 2015, and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/948,143 entitled “Cable Modems/eMTAs Under Test,” filed Nov. 20, 2015, and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/929,180 entitled “Hardware Architecture for Universal Testing System: Cable Modem Test,” filed Oct. 30, 2015, and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/929,220 entitled “Hardware Architecture for Universal Testing System: Wireless Router Test,” filed Oct. 30, 2015, and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/948,925 entitled “Wireless Routers Under Test,” filed Nov. 23, 2015, and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/987,538 entitled, “Test Sequences Using Universal Testing System,” filed Jan. 4, 2016, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     NOTICE REGARDING COLOR DRAWINGS 
       [0002]    The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0003]    The present invention is directed to a system for testing devices. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    For a better understanding of the various embodiments of the invention, reference should be made to the description of embodiments below, in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures. 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a high-level exploded view of a rack system associated with a universal test station, according to certain embodiments. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a high-level diagram of an exploded view of a Faraday cage associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a high-level diagram of an enlarged view of the base plate of a Faraday cage associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a high-level diagram of an enlarged view of the back plate of a Faraday cage associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a high-level diagram of an enlarged view of the connector plate of a Faraday cage associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a high-level diagram of a perspective view of a MOCA harness associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a high-level diagram of an exploded view of a MOCA harness associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a high-level diagram of a perspective view of a splitter assembly of the MOCA harness associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a high-level diagram of a router bracket of the MOCA harness associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Methods, systems, user interfaces, and other aspects of the invention are described. Reference will be made to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to these particular embodiments alone. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents that are within the spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 
         [0015]    Moreover, in the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these particular details. In other instances, methods, procedures, components, and networks that are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art are not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the present invention. 
         [0016]    According to certain embodiments, a universal test station for testing wireless devices such as wireless routers, cable modems, set top boxes, cable modems with eMTA (Embedded Multimedia Terminal Adapter, a combination cable modem and telephone adapter) comprises a modular rack with a symmetrical architecture and compact footprint. The symmetrical design provides for easy installation of the universal test station equipment. For example, the equipment includes:
   2 MOCA harnesses   4 Faraday cages (each cage has 4 device test slots but the embodiments not restricted to 4 slots per Faraday cage. The number of slots per Faraday cage may vary from implementation to implementation)   4 servers (the embodiments not restricted to 4 servers per rack. The number of servers per rack may vary from implementation to implementation).   keyboard and mouse   computer screen   4 PDUs (power distribution unit with multiple outputs to distribute electric power to the equipment in the universal tester station   
 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a high-level exploded view of a rack system associated with a universal test station, according to certain embodiments.  FIG. 1  shows a top perspective view of a universal test station  100  set-up that includes a rack  101 , MOCA harnesses  102 , Faraday cages  103 , test servers  104 , keyboard and mouse shelf  105 , computer screen  106  with attachment, power distribution units  107  and cover plates  108 . The embodiments not restricted to 4 Faraday cages per rack. The number of Faraday cages per rack may vary from implementation to implementation The symmetrical design of rack  101  accommodates 2 Faraday cages on the right side  111  of rack  101  and another 2 Faraday cages (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) on the left side  112  of rack  101 . Similarly, the symmetrical design of rack  101  accommodates one MOCA harness that is accessible at the front side  109  of rack  101  and another MOCA harness that is accessible at the rear side  110  of rack  101 . Further, rack  101  can accommodate 4 servers. The embodiments not restricted to 4 servers per rack. The number of servers per rack may vary from implementation to implementation. 
         [0024]    As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the symmetrical design of the rack not only provides for easy installation but also provides easy access to the test equipment supported by the rack. For example, as can be from  FIG. 1 , each test slot of the Faraday cages are easily accessible from the right side  111  and left side  112  of rack  101 . The test slots of the Faraday cages are easily accessible because the door assemblies face outward away from the rack. The computer screen  106 , mouse and keyboard shelf are easily accessible from the front side  109  of rack  101 . 
         [0025]    According to certain embodiments, the compact footprint of the rack  101  allows for the set up of multiple similar racks in the testing area of a room. According to certain embodiments, each rack  101  is approximately 7 feet in height and 3 feet in width and has a depth that can accommodate the Faraday cages as described herein. Each rack  101  can be assembled using standard 19 inch rack rails and rack shelves that are approximately 3 feet in width and with a depth that can accommodate the Faraday cages as described herein. Further, rack  101  is not restricted to 4 Faraday cages, 4 servers, and 4 PDUs. Since rack  101  is modular in nature, rack  101  can be easily expanded to support an increased number of MOCA harnesses and/or Faraday cages and/or servers and/or PDUs, etc., depending on the floor space available and/or the needs or business objectives or technical objectives of the test facility or of the associated enterprise. Similarly, modular rack  101  can be easily reduced to support a reduced number of MOCA harnesses and/or Faraday cages and/or servers and/or PDUs, etc. 
         [0026]    As a non-limiting example, each universal test station  100  is supplied with 
         [0027]    Internet connectivity for remote management and technical support of the universal test station  100 . As a non-limiting example, Internet access for the universal test station  100  comprises a static public IP address. As another non-limiting example, each universal test station  100  has two “20A” outlets. 
         [0028]    According to certain embodiments, as a non-limiting example, each server in the universal test station  100  is of a 3U rackmount size (e.g., 17.1″×5.1″×25.5″) and supports the testing of 4 devices under test (DUTs) simultaneously. Each DUT when undergoing tests are installed in a given test slot of a given Faraday cage of universal test station  100 . 
         [0029]    According to certain embodiments, as a non-limiting example, the computer screen, keyboard and mouse (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) are used for interacting with a web based GUI (e.g., GUI is an operator dashboard used for setting up the tests for one or more DUTs). The computer screen is attached to a wall mount arm, which in turn is attached to the rack. The computer screen can be rotated 90° and can be tilted downwards according to the needs of the operator. 
         [0030]    As a non-limiting example, each server is equipped with at least the following components of the latest engineering design (if appropriate):
   7× Quad Ethernet Card: Network interface cards are used to test the LAN/WAN functionality of the device under test (DUT). The ports include cables that connect to the connector plate of a given test slot of a given Faraday Cage (there are 4 test slots in a Faraday cage, according to certain embodiments). The DUT is connected to the server ports through the connector plate.   4× Dual Band Wireless Adapter: The adapter cards are used to test the WiFi functionality of the DUT. Each adapter card supports 2 bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac standard. The SMA (SubMiniature version A connectors or semi-precision coaxial RF connectors) cables run from the adaptor card ports to the connector plates of a given Faraday Cage where WiFi antennas are connected.   
 
         [0033]    According to certain embodiments, there are total of 4 Faraday (RF) cages per universal test station  100 . Each RF cage supports 4 test slots to support a total of 16 slots. Two of the RF cages are on right side of Rack  101  and the other two RF cages are on left side of Rack  101 . The RF cages help protect the DUT from WiFi interference from nearby devices and DUTs. The WiFi signal strength and reverse/forward bandwidth of signals are improved to great extent through the use of RF cages, according to certain embodiments. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a high-level diagram of an exploded view of a Faraday cage associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments. In  FIG. 2 , Faraday cage  103  comprises 4 test slots (e.g., test slot  200 ). Faraday cage  103  includes a back plate  201 , right end plate  202 , left end plate  203 , 3 septum walls (such as septum wall  204 ), 4 connector plates (such as connector plate  205 ), 4 door assemblies (such as door assembly  206 ) with hinges  210 , 3 center stiles (such as center stile  216 ), 2 rack ears (such as rack ear  207 ), a base plate  208 , and a top plate  209 , according to certain embodiments. The embodiments are not restricted to 4 slots per Faraday cage. The number of slots per Faraday cage may vary from implementation to implementation. The sizing of rack  101  can be modified to accommodate Faraday cages that have more than or less than 4 slots per Faraday cage according to certain embodiments. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a high-level diagram of an enlarged view of the base plate of a Faraday cage associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments. In  FIG. 3 , base plate  208  of a Faraday cage associated with the universal test station comprises air holes  302  and a plurality of rivet holes  304  (for assembling a given Faraday cage) as can be seen around the perimeter  306  of base plate  208 , according to certain embodiments. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a high-level diagram of an enlarged view of the back plate of a Faraday cage associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments. In  FIG. 4 , back plate  201  of a Faraday cage associated with the universal test station comprises cut-outs  402  for associated connector plates (e.g., see connector plate  205  of  FIG. 2 ), and a plurality of rivet holes  404  (for assembling a given Faraday cage and for installing the connector plates), according to certain embodiments. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a high-level diagram of an enlarged view of the connector plate of a Faraday cage associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments.  FIG. 5  shows a front view  205 A, and a back view  205 B of connector plate  205 . Connector plate  205  includes 7 RJ45 coupler holes  501 , 2 RJ12 coupler holes  502 , 2 F-Jack to F-Jack adapters  503 , 2 SMA connectors  504 , and a power harness  505 , according to certain embodiments. A given DUT is installed one of the slots of a Faraday cage. The installed DUT is thus connected to the LAN, MOCA, WIFI interfaces (associated with the universal test station) and power through the connector plate  205 , according to certain embodiments. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a high-level diagram of a perspective view of a MOCA harness associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments.  FIG. 6  shows a MOCA harness  102  that includes a harness chassis  601 , end plates (such as end plate  602 ), a top plate  603  (with holding holes  606 ) and 16 router brackets  604  (8 router brackets on each side of the harness chassis). The router brackets are associated with wireless routers configured as MoCA LAN Bridge and MoCA WAN Bridge for the test slots of the Faraday cages. Thus, each MoCA harness has total of 8 MoCA LAN Bridges and 8 MoCA WAN Bridges, according to certain embodiments. The MoCA LAN Bridges and MoCA WAN Bridges are used for testing the MoCA LAN/WAN functionality of a given DUT, according to certain embodiments. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is a high-level diagram of an exploded view of a MoCA harness associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments.  FIG. 7  shows a MoCA harness  102  that includes a harness chassis  601  (with bottom plate  703 , and side walls  704 ), end plates  602 , a top plate  603  and router brackets  604  (there are 8 router brackets on each side of the harness chassis  601 , but only one router bracket is shown in  FIG. 7 ), and 2 splitter assemblies  702  (only 1 splitter assembly is shown in  FIG. 7 ). The splitter assembly is designed to help in cable management and the routing of cables from the MoCA harness to the connector plates of the Faraday cages. Further, the splitter assembly makes for easy maintenance and convenient replacement of parts such as attenuators and splitters, according to certain embodiments. 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a high-level diagram of a perspective view of a splitter assembly of the MOCA harness associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments. In  FIG. 8 , the splitter assembly  702  includes four 3-way splitters  802 , and 4 wire tabs  804 , according to certain embodiments. 
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is a high-level diagram of a router bracket of the MoCA harness associated with the universal test station, according to certain embodiments.  FIG. 9  shows a top view  605 A, a right side view  605 B and a front side view  605 C of the router bracket  605 , according to certain embodiments. Router bracket  605  includes a bare modem card bracket  901 , a printed circuit board  902 , a front bezel  903 , and screws  904 , according to certain embodiments. 
         [0042]    In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.