Mobile terminal testing device and transmitting antenna testing method

According to one embodiment, a mobile terminal testing device which tests a mobile terminal including a plurality of transmitting antennas by transmitting/receiving radio signals between the mobile terminal testing device and the mobile terminal, includes a radio signal processing module configured to transmit and receive radio signals to and from the mobile terminal and a controller configured to cause the mobile terminal to switch one from another among the plurality of transmitting antennas by a predetermined radio signal transmitted to the mobile terminal via the radio signal processing module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-120573 filed Jun. 17, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a mobile terminal testing device for testing mobile communication terminals and also a transmitting antenna testing method.

2. Description of the Related Art

When a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone or a data communication terminal is developed, it is necessary to test whether the developed mobile communication terminal can communicate normally. Here, the mobile communication terminal to be tested is connected to a testing device which operates as a pseudo base station simulating the function of an actual base station in order to try communication between the testing device and the mobile communication terminal, and thus the test is carried out to check the contents of the communication.

The mobile communication terminals conforming to the standards of Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) are permitted to include a plurality of transmitting antennas. But mobile communication terminal with a plurality of transmitting antennas need to be subjected to a transmission test for each antenna, a test for antenna switching and the like, and thus the transmitting antennas used of a mobile communication terminal to be tested must be switched for each of these tests. However, in the usual status, the user cannot designate a transmitting antenna to be used by the mobile communication terminal.

As a technique to avoid such a drawback, the following is known. That is, an external control device is connected to a mobile terminal device, and the testing function of the mobile terminal device is controlled by the external control device to carry out the tests (JP No. 2011-82791 A).

However, for testing a mobile communication terminal by connecting the external control device to a mobile communication terminal, the external control device need to conform to the model of the terminal to be tested, which takes some time and effort to construct the test atmosphere. Therefore, when various kinds of models of mobile communication terminals are to be tested, the test atmosphere needs to be changed according to the model, taking great time and effort.

Note that in the following description, the above-used mobile communication terminal will be referred to as mobile terminal for simplification.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile terminal testing device (1) which tests a mobile terminal (2) including a plurality of transmitting antennas by transmitting/receiving radio signals between the mobile terminal testing device (1) and the mobile terminal (2), the mobile terminal testing device (1) comprising: a radio signal processing module (10) configured to transmit and receive radio signals to and from the mobile terminal (2); and a controller (15) configured to cause the mobile terminal (2) to switch one from another among the plurality of transmitting antennas by a predetermined radio signal transmitted to the mobile terminal (2) via the radio signal processing module (10).

With this structure, the transmitting antennas of the mobile terminal are switched therebetween by radio signals transmitted/received between the mobile terminal testing device and the mobile terminal. Therefore, the transmitting antennas can be tested without connecting the mobile terminal to an external control device by switching the transmitting antennas therebetween.

According to the second aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile terminal testing device (1) according to the first aspect, wherein the controller (15) sends an RRC message to the mobile terminal (2) to select a transmitting antenna according to an instruction from the testing device (1), and causes the mobile terminal (2) to switch to a transmitting antenna designated by PDCCH.

With this structure, the transmitting antennas of the mobile terminal are switched therebetween by RRC message and PDCCH conforming to the LTE-A standards. Therefore, the transmitting antennas can be tested without incorporating a special function to the mobile terminal.

According to the third aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile terminal testing device (1) according to the second aspect, wherein the controller (15) measures a signal received from the mobile terminal (2) in coincidence with a timing of causing the mobile terminal (2) to switch to the transmitting antenna by the PDCCH.

With this structure, the received signal is measured at the timing of switching to another antenna. Therefore, the measuring of a signal while switching one antenna to another can be easily carried out.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile terminal testing device (1) according to the first aspect, further comprising: a call processing module (12), wherein the controller (15) outputs to the call processing module (12), a first signal which enables the mobile terminal testing device (1) to designate selection of a transmitting antenna, and a second signal which designates the transmitting antenna, and the call processing module (12) transmits a predetermined RRC message to the mobile terminal (2) based on the first signal and thereafter transmits a predetermined PDCCH to the mobile terminal (2) based on the second signal.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile terminal testing device (1) according to the fourth aspect, further comprising: a user interface (14) configured to set a parameter and a scenario for operating the mobile terminal testing device (1), wherein the controller (15) controls operation of the mobile terminal testing device (1) based on the parameter and the scenario thus set.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile terminal testing device (1) according to the fifth aspect, wherein the controller (15) notifies the set parameter to the call processing module (12) and establishes a communication conforming to the set parameter.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile terminal testing device (1) according to the fifth aspect, wherein the controller (15) transmits the set scenario to the call processing module to carry out an operation according to the set scenario.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile terminal testing device (1) according to the fourth aspect, further comprising: a radio signal measurement module (13) configured to measure the signal received from the mobile terminal (2), wherein the controller (15) transmits an instruction signal which sets a timing of switching one from another among the transmitting antennas to the radio signal measurement module (13) via the call processing module (12), and the radio signal measurement module (13) starts measurement of the received signal at the timing.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile terminal testing device (1) according to the fourth aspect, wherein the predetermined RRC message includes a field for designating the selection of a transmitting antenna of the mobile terminal (2) by the mobile terminal testing device (1), and the predetermined PDCCH includes control information which designates the transmitting antenna of the mobile terminal (2).

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile terminal testing device (1) according to the ninth aspect, wherein the predetermined RRC message is “RRC Connection Reconfiguration” including a field “ue-TransmitAntennaSelection”, and the control information of the predetermined PDCCH is a DCI format 0 including a field “Antenna Selection mask”.

According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a transmitting antenna testing method for a mobile terminal testing device (1) which tests a mobile terminal (2) including a plurality of transmitting antennas by transmitting/receiving radio signals between the mobile terminal testing device (1) and the mobile terminal (2), the method comprising: a step of enabling by an RRC message the mobile terminal testing device (1) to designate selection of the plurality of transmitting antennas of the mobile terminal (2); and a step of designating a transmitting antenna of the mobile terminal (2) by PDCCH.

With this structure, the transmitting antennas of the mobile terminal are switched therebetween by radio signals transmitted/received between the mobile terminal testing device and the mobile terminal. Therefore, the transmitting antennas can be tested without connecting the mobile terminal to an external control device by switching the transmitting antennas therebetween.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, there is provided a transmitting antenna testing method according to the eleventh aspect, further comprising: a step of measuring a signal received from the mobile terminal (2) in coincidence with a timing of causing the mobile terminal (2) to switch from an transmitting antenna to another by the PDCCH.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a transmitting antenna testing method according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the predetermined RRC message includes a field for designating the selection of a transmitting antenna of the mobile terminal (2) by the mobile terminal testing device (1), and the predetermined PDCCH includes control information which designates the transmitting antenna of the mobile terminal (2).

According to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a transmitting antenna testing method according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the predetermined RRC message is “RRC Connection Reconfiguration” including a field “ue-TransmitAntennaSelection”, and control information of the predetermined PDCCH is a DCI format 0 including a field “Antenna Selection mask”.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A mobile terminal testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1shows a mobile terminal testing device1according to the embodiment. The mobile terminal testing device1, as a pseudo base station, transmits and receives radio signals between itself and a mobile terminal2by a wire via a coaxial cable or the like. Note that the mobile terminal testing device1may transmit and receive signals between itself and the mobile terminal2by radio through an antenna. The mobile terminal testing device1is configured to confirm to the LTE-A standards and communicates with the mobile terminal2based on the LTE-A standards.

The mobile terminal testing device1comprises a radio signal processing module10, a radio hardware control module11, a call processing module12, a radio signal measurement module13, a user interface14and a controller15.

The radio signal processing module10transmits and receives radio signals between itself and the mobile terminal2. The radio signal processing module10carries out processes such as coding, modulation and frequency conversion onto transmission data entering from the call processing module12and the radio signal measurement module13, to produce radio signals, and transmits them to the mobile terminal2. Further, the radio signal processing module10carries out processes such as frequency conversion, demodulation and decoding onto radio signals received from the mobile terminal2, and outputs them to the call processing module12and the radio signal measurement module13.

The radio hardware control module11controls the radio signal processing module10to controls the transmission/reception level, frequency, etc. of the radio signals.

The call processing module12is connected to the radio signal processing module10and the radio hardware control module11. The call processing module12transmits a setting signal to the radio hardware control module11according to a scenario or the like set according to the test conditions, and instructs the radio signal processing module10to transmit a radio signal conforming to the scenario or the like. Meanwhile, the call processing module12transmits and receives radio signals between itself and the mobile terminal2through the radio signal processing module10, and establish a call connection conforming to the test condition between itself and the mobile terminal2to carry out a call control corresponding to the scenario.

The radio signal measurement module13is connected to the radio signal processing module10. The radio signal measurement module13measures the transmission/reception level, throughput, etc. of the radio signal transmitted/received by the radio signal processing module10, and outputs the measurement result to the controller15. The controller15associates the measurement result transmitted from the radio signal measurement module13with time data and the like and stores it to a hard disk or the like. The controller15outputs the measurement result and the like to display on the user interface14at a user's request, and outputs them to a file as a log.

The user interface14comprises an entry unit141and a display module142. The entry unit141receives an operational entry from the user. The display module142displays a screen for setting parameters, a measurement result of the radio signal measurement module13, etc., mentioned above. The entry unit141comprises a touchpad, a keyboard, a push button, or the like. The display module142comprises a liquid crystal display or the like.

The controller15comprises a computer unit comprising a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive, and an input/output port (not shown). On the ROM and the hard disk drive, a program which causes the computer to function as the controller15is stored together with various control constants, various maps, etc. That is, with the CPU executing the program stored on the ROM and the hard disk drive, the computer unit functions as the controller15.

To the input/output port of the controller15, the radio hardware control module11, the call processing module12, the radio signal measurement module13and the user interface14are connected.

Note that in this embodiment, the radio hardware control module11, the call processing module12, and the radio signal measurement module13each comprises a processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP) programmed to execute the respective processing. Further, the radio signal processing module10comprises a communication module.

The controller15displays the setting screen on the display module142for the user to carry out entries from the entry unit141as instructed on the setting screen, and thus the parameter which causes the test device to operate as a pseudo base station conforming to the test condition, and the scenario which defines the call control procedure corresponding to the test condition are set. The controller15transmits the setting signal to the radio hardware control module11based on the parameter thus set. The controller15controls the frequencies and multiplexing systems of radio signals transmitted/received by the radio signal processing module10via the radio hardware control module11, and causes the radio signal measurement module13to measure. Further, the controller15notifies the set parameter to the call processing module12and establishes a communication conforming to the set parameter.

Further, the controller15transmits the scenario specified by the entry unit141to the call processing module12, and causes the call processing module12to operate a call control and the like according to the designated scenario.

Furthermore, according to the instruction input to the entry unit141, the controller15transmits the signals to the radio hardware control module11and the call processing module12and causes these modules11and12to operate the call control and the like according to the instruction entered.

The mobile terminal testing device1of this embodiment can carry out the transmission test by itself on each of a plurality of transmitting antennas of the mobile terminal2.

The controller15causes the mobile terminal2to switch among the transmitting antennas by a radio signal transmitted to the mobile terminal2. More specifically, the controller15uses a radio resource control (RRC) message and downlink control information (DCI) format 0 of physicaldownlink control channel (PDCCH) to cause the mobile terminal2switch one from another among these transmitting antennas.

According to the LTE-A standards, it is possible to set in the field “ue-TransmitAntennaSelection” of “RRC Connection Reconfiguration”, which is an RRC message, to enable the base station side to designate the selection of a transmitting antenna of the mobile terminal2. Further, according to the LTE-A standards, after setting by the “RRC Connection Reconfiguration” message to enable the base station side to designate the selection of a transmitting antenna of the mobile terminal2, a transmitting antenna of the mobile terminal2is designated in the field “Antenna selection mask” of the DCI format 0 which is control information. Thus, the antenna of the mobile terminal2can be selected.

When, for example, the test of the transmitting antennas of the mobile terminal2is selected, the controller15causes the call processing module12to transmit the “RRC Connection Reconfiguration” message to enable the base station side to designate the selection of a transmitting antenna of the mobile terminal2.

Then, the controller15notifies the antenna to select to the call processing module12and designates the antenna to select by the control information DCI format 0 of PDCCH, thereby causing the base station to select a transmitting antenna.

Moreover, the controller15notifies by transmission the antenna to select and the timing for starting measurement, which is the timing for switching an antenna to another to the call processing module12, thus causing the mobile terminal2to switch the antenna changed at the measurement start timing, and the radio signal measurement module13to carry out the measurement at the measurement start timing.

Upon receiving the measurement start timing signal, the call processing module12transmits the measurement start timing signal to the radio signal measurement module13via the controller15, and causing the radio signal measurement module13to start the measurement at the measurement start timing.

Upon receiving the measurement start timing signal, the radio signal measurement module13starts the measurement at the measurement start timing.

The procedure of the transmitting antenna test of the mobile terminal2by the mobile terminal testing device1will be described.

When the function of parameter setup is selected by operation on the entry unit141, the controller15displays a parameter setting screen on the display module142, for example, to set the band, duplex mode, channel bandwidth and the like as parameters of the pseudo base station.

The controller15stores the set parameters to the hard disk drive and notifies the parameters to the call processing module12to be able to control radio signals according to the set parameters.

After setting the parameters, the mobile terminal testing device1and the mobile terminal2are connected with a cable. For example, when the power of the mobile terminal2is turned on, location registration is carried out. Here, it is checked whether the location registration has been normally carried out on the mobile terminal testing device1side. Note that when the mobile terminal2comprises a plurality of transmitting antennas, a coupler which couples the outputs of a plurality of antenna ports should be used to input the outputs of the antenna ports altogether to the antenna ports of the mobile terminal testing device1.

When a call connection is carried out by operation of the entry unit141while the location registration is valid, the controller15instructs the call processing module12to carry out call connection, thus connecting the call to the mobile terminal2.

When the instruction to start the measurement of the transmitting antenna test of the mobile terminal2is operated via the entry unit141while the call connection is on, the processes shown in the sequence diagram ofFIG. 2are carried out.

In Step S101, the controller15transmits to the call processing module12, a signal (first signal) in which a parameter “Antenna Selection” enabling the selection of the antennas of the mobile terminal2is on, and another signal (second signal) in which a parameter “Antenna Port” indicating an antenna port to select is set to Port0.

In Step S102, the controller15transmits to the call processing module12, an instruction signal in which an order “Start Call” indicating the start of the test is set.

When receiving the instruction signal in which the order “Start Call” is set, the call processing module12transmits to the mobile terminal2, the “RRC Connection Reconfiguration” message in which “setup/closedLoop” is set to the field “ue-TransmitAntennaSelection” of “RRC Connection Reconfiguration” in Step S103.

In Step S104, the call processing module12sets to the control information DCI format 0 of PDCCH to transmit Uplink Data via Port0of the antenna and reports to the mobile terminal2.

In response to this, the mobile terminal2transmits Uplink Data via Port0in Step S105.

Then, in Step S106, a notification is made to transmit Uplink Data via Port0of the antenna using control information DCI format 0 of PDCCH, and in Step S107, the mobile terminal2transmits Uplink Data via Port0.

In this state, in Step S108, the radio signal measurement module13measures the received signal.

Next, in order to measure the received signal while switching a transmitting antenna to another, in Step S109, the controller15transmits to the call processing module12a signal (third signal) in which the parameter “Antenna Port” is set to Port1, and an instruction signal setting the measurement start timing, which is the timing for switching the antenna port.

When the signal (third signal) in which the parameter “Antenna Port” is set to Port1, and the instruction signal in which the measurement start timing is set are received, in Step S110, the call processing module12transmits the instruction signal which sets the measurement start timing to the radio signal measurement module13via the controller15. Note that inFIG. 2, in Step S110and Step S118, which will be described later, the illustration is omitted but the call processing module12is connected to the radio signal measurement module13indirectly via the controller15.

When receiving the instruction signal in which the measurement start timing is set, in Step S111, the radio signal measurement module13starts the measurement at the measurement start timing.

Similarly, in Step S112, at the measurement start timing, the call processing module12sets to the control information DCI format 0 of PDCCH to transmit Uplink Data via the Port1of the antenna and notifies to the mobile terminal2.

In response to this, in Step S113, the mobile terminal2switches to Port1from Port0and transmits Uplink Data therethrough.

After that, in Step S114, it is notified to transmit Uplink Data via Port1of the antenna in the control information DCI format 0 of PDCCH, and thus in Step S115, the mobile terminal2transmits Uplink Data via Port1.

In the meantime, the signal received via Port1of the antenna of the mobile terminal2is measured, and in Step S116, the measurement is finished.

Subsequently, in order to measure the received signal while switching the transmitting antenna from Port1to Port0, in Step S117, the controller15transmits to the call processing module12the signal (second signal) in which the parameter “Antenna Port” is set to Port0, and an instruction signal setting the measurement start timing, which is the timing for switching the antenna port.

When receiving the signal in which the parameter “Antenna Port” is set to Port0and the measurement start timing is set, in Step S118, the call processing module12transmits the instruction signal sets the measurement start timing to the radio signal measurement module13via the controller15.

Upon receiving the instruction signal setting the measurement start timing, in Step S119, the radio signal measurement module13starts the measurement at the measurement start timing.

Similarly, in Step S120, the call processing module12sets at the measurement start timing the control information DCI format 0 of PDCCH to transmit Uplink Data via Port0of the antenna and notifies to the mobile terminal2.

In response to this, in Step S121, the mobile terminal2switches to Port0from Port1and transmits Uplink Data therethrough.

As described above, the transmitting antennas are tested while switching one transmitting antenna to another in the mobile terminal2by the radio signal transmitted to the mobile terminal2. Therefore, the transmitting antennas can be tested by switching one to another without connecting an external control device or the like to the mobile terminal2.

Moreover, the transmitting antennas are switched from one to another by the mobile terminal2using an RRC message and the control information DCI format 0 of PDCCH, the transmitting antennas can be tested by switching one to another without incorporating a special function to the mobile terminal2.

Furthermore, the measurement is carried out according to the timing of switching the transmitting antennas from one to another using the control information DCI format 0 of PDCCH, the signal reception while switching one transmitting antenna to another can be easily measured as well.

Embodiments of the present invention are as disclosed above, but naturally, they may be modified by a person having ordinary skill in the art as long as they fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.

Various inventions can be achieved by any suitable combination of a plurality of structural elements disclosed in the embodiments. For example, some structural elements may be deleted from the whole structural elements indicated in the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, some structural elements of one embodiment may be combined with other structural elements of another embodiment.