Patent Publication Number: US-2011053518-A1

Title: Wireless communication performance test method, wireless communication test-use measurement device, and wireless communication performance test system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-202065, filed on Sep. 1, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention herein relates to a wireless communication performance test method, a wireless communication test-use measurement device, and a wireless communication performance test system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There has been a wireless communication performance test system, hereinafter referred to as “a performance test system”, used for testing the wireless communication performance of a wireless communication device, such as a mobile phone or a personal handy-phone system (PHS) device or the like. In the performance test system of the related art, a control personal computer (PC) and a wireless device tester are connected to the wireless communication device that is a test object. In addition, when the control PC transmits control information to the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device performs a test operation in response to the control information. As a result, data output from the wireless communication device is transferred to the control PC through the wireless device tester. Accordingly, the control PC determines the test result. 
     An example of the conventional performance test system will be described. Here, the example indicates a case in which a mobile phone is a test object.  FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the performance test system used for testing the wireless communication performance of the mobile phone. As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the performance test system includes a mobile phone  510 , a wireless device tester  520 , and a control PC  530 . 
     The mobile phone  510  includes a radio frequency (RF) processor  511 , which performs a transmission/reception operation for an RF signal, and a baseband processor  512  that controls the operation of the RF processor  511 . The RF processor  511  is the test object of the wireless communication performance test. The wireless communication performance test is referred to as “the performance test”. 
     The wireless device tester  520  is connected to the mobile phone  510 , using an RF cable  560 , and measures the transmission frequency and transmission power or the like of the RF signal transmitted from the mobile phone  510 . The control PC  530  transmits control information to the mobile phone  510  through a control cable  540 , and causes the RF processor  511  in the mobile phone  510  to perform a transmission operation for the RF signal. In addition, the control PC  530  transmits control information to the wireless device tester  520  through a control cable  550 , and causes the wireless device tester  520  to measure the RF signal. Furthermore, the control PC  530  obtains the measurement result of the wireless device tester  520  through the control cable  550 , and determines whether or not the wireless communication performance of the mobile phone  510  is acceptable, using the obtained measurement result. 
     Next, the operating procedures of a performance test performed in the performance test system illustrated in  FIG. 13  will be described.  FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating the operating procedures of the performance test performed in the performance test system illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , power is applied to the mobile phone  510  to activate the RF processor  511  and the baseband processor  512  (Step S 01 ). After confirming the activation of the RF processor  511  and the baseband processor  512 , the control PC  530  configures, for the wireless device tester  520 , an initial setting used for the performance test (Step S 02 ). In addition, after the completion of the initial setting for the wireless device tester  520 , the control PC  530  transmits the control information to the mobile phone  510  and the wireless device tester  520 , thereby configuring operation settings (Step S 03 ). 
     Specifically, the mobile phone  510  controls the operation of the RF processor  511  after the baseband processor  512  receives the control information from the control PC  530 . For example, the baseband processor  512  causes the RF processor  511  to operate so as to transmit the RF signal of a predetermined transmission frequency and a predetermined transmission power. On the other hand, when receiving the control information from the control PC  530 , the wireless device tester  520  measures the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like of the RF signal received from the mobile phone  510 , and then transmits the measurement result to the control PC  530 . 
     When receiving the measurement result from the wireless device tester  520 , the control PC  530  performs a performance test operation (Step S 04 ). Specifically, using the measurement result received from the wireless device tester  520 , the control PC  530  determines whether or not the wireless communication performance of the mobile phone  510  is acceptable. For example, when it is determined that the mobile phone  510  does not transmit the RF signal of proper transmission power, the control PC  530  modifies a setting value used for the power amplification factor of a power amplification circuit provided in the RF processor  511 . 
     In this way, the control PC  530  performs the performance test operation under the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like as setting conditions. The performance test operation is referred to as “the performance test operation”. In addition, while appropriately changing the setting conditions such as the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like, the control PC  530  repeats the performance test operation (Step S 05 ). When there is an unprocessed setting condition (Step S 05  negative), the control PC  530  proceeds to the process of Step S 03  and causes the same operation to be performed. 
     When the test is completed with respect to all setting conditions (Step S 05  affirmative), the control PC  530  determines whether or not the performance test operation in Step S 04  has been performed normally (Step S 06 ). Here, when there is a setting condition in which the performance test operation is not performed normally owing to the occurrence of an error or the like (Step S 06  negative), the control PC  530  performs again the performance test operation in the corresponding setting condition (Step S 07 ). 
     On the other hand, when the performance test operation has been performed normally in all setting conditions (Step S 06  affirmative), the control PC  530  terminates the performance test. In addition, while, for convenience of description, the test procedure for the wireless communication performance is described here, the wireless communication performance may be adjusted in similar procedures before the test is performed. 
     As one of the performance test methods for a mobile station, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2004-274307 discloses a performance test system for testing between a mobile station provided in a train and a testing apparatus located in a railroad station. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided that a wireless communication performance test method for testing a performance of a wireless processor which is arranged in a wireless transmission device for performing a transmission and reception operation of a wireless signal, includes transmitting, to the wireless processor, a wireless signal including control information for controlling the transmission and reception operation performed by the wireless processor from a wireless transmission test use measurement device for measuring a wireless transmission performance of the wireless processor; performing the transmission and reception operation in the wireless processor based on the control information extracted from the wireless signal transmitted from the wireless transmission test use measurement device; and measuring the wireless signal transmitted and received in the transmission and reception operation performed by the wireless processor. 
     The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication performance test method according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication performance test system according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless device tester according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating configurations of an RF processor and a BB-LSI; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a receiver in an RF-LSI; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a method in which control information is extracted from an RF control signal; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmitter in the RF-LSI; 
         FIG. 8A  is a flowchart illustrating operations performed when wireless communication performance adjustment is performed according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 8B  is a flowchart illustrating operations performed when wireless communication performance test is performed according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating operations performed in the wireless device tester according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating operations performed when a wireless communication performance adjustment operation is performed according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating operations performed when a wireless communication performance test operation is performed according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating operations performed in a mobile phone according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication performance test system in which the wireless communication performance of a mobile phone is tested; and 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating operations performed when a wireless communication performance test is performed in the wireless communication performance test system illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     However, in the conventional performance test system such as one described in the background, the performance test for the RF processor  511  has to be performed through the baseband processor  512  which is unrelated to the test. Accordingly, the test detailed described in the background is inefficient. Namely, the activation of the baseband processor  512  for the test and the control on the RF processor  511  through the activated baseband processor  512  will cause a test time to be long. 
     In addition, in the performance test system described in the background, the notice of a setting response is sent from the mobile phone  510  to the control PC  530  whenever the control PC  530  configures an operation setting for the mobile phone  510 . Therefore, in the performance test system, it takes time to wait till the notice of the setting response is sent to the control PC  530 , thereby causing the test time to be long in some cases. 
     In addition, the performance test system performs a test for each set including the mobile phone  510 , the wireless device tester  520 , and the control PC  530 . Accordingly, in the case in which a large number of the mobile phones  510  are tested, it is necessary to provide the same number of the control PCs  530  as the mobile phones  51 . The test for a large number of the mobile phones  510  results in not only decrease in cost-efficiency but decrease in space-efficiency. In addition, these problems occur not only in the case in which the mobile phones  510  are test objects but, in a similar way, in a case in which other wireless communication devices are test objects. 
     Embodiments of a performance test method, a wireless communication test-use measurement device, and a performance test system, which are disclosed in the present application, will be described in detail on the basis of figures, hereinafter. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. The wireless communication performance test method and the wireless communication test-use measurement device are referred as to the performance test method and the test-use measurement, respectively. 
     First Embodiment 
     A performance test method according to a first embodiment will be described. In the performance test method according to the first embodiment, a wireless device tester mainly controls the operation of a wireless processor that is to be an object of a performance test.  FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating the performance test method according to the first embodiment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a test-use measurement device  50  is used for testing the wireless communication performance of a wireless communication device  60 . Specifically, the test-use measurement device  50  includes a control information transmitter  51  and a measurement processor  52 , the wireless communication performance measurement processor is referred as to “the measurement processor” hereinafter. The wireless communication device  60  includes a wireless processor  61  that is a test object of a performance test. The wireless processor  61  is a circuit that performs a transmission/reception operation for a wireless signal. Specifically, the wireless processor  61  includes a control information extractor  62  and a transmission/reception processor  63 . 
     Using a wireless signal, the control information transmitter  51  transmits control information to the wireless processor  61 . The control information is used for controlling the transmission/reception operation performed by the wireless processor  61 . The measurement processor  52  measures the wireless signal transmitted by the wireless processor  61 . 
     The control information extractor  62  extracts the control information from the wireless signal transmitted from the test-use measurement device  50 . The transmission/reception processor  63  performs the transmission/reception operation for the wireless signal on the basis of the control information extracted by the control information extractor  62 . 
     In the first embodiment, first, the control information transmitter  51  transmits, using the wireless signal, the control information to the wireless processor  61 . When the wireless signal is received from the control information transmitter  51 , the control information extractor  62  in the wireless processor  61  extracts the control information from the received wireless signal. 
     Then the transmission/reception processor  63  performs the transmission/reception operation for the wireless signal on the basis of the control information extracted by the control information extractor  62 . For example, the transmission/reception processor  63  transmits a test-use wireless signal to the test-use measurement device  50  in accordance with the content of the control information extracted by the control information extractor  62 . 
     In this way, the test-use measurement device  50  directly transmits a control signal to the wireless processor  61  for controlling the operation of the wireless processor  61 . Therefore, the wireless processor  61  may obtain the control information without passing through a baseband processor that is unrelated to the test. As a result, in the performance test method according to the first embodiment, a test time may be reduced by omitting a time necessary for activating the baseband processor from the test time. Further, a processing time taken in the wireless communication device  60  may be reduced. 
     In addition, in the first embodiment, since the test-use measurement device  50  controls the wireless processor  61 , it is not necessary for the individual control PCs for controlling the operations of the individual wireless communication devices  60 . Therefore, cost-efficiency and installation space-efficiency may be improved even in wireless communication performance tests (performance tests) for the multiple wireless communication devices  60 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a performance test method, a test-use measurement device, and a performance test system according to a second embodiment will be described using a mobile phone as an example of a wireless communication device. In the second embodiment, a following case will be described. The case is a performance test of a wireless communication performance adjustment operation for correcting variation in the wireless communication performance of an RF processor and a test of a wireless communication performance of the RF processor. The wireless communication performance test or performance test is referred to as wireless adjustment/test or adjustment/test hereinafter. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the performance test system S according to the second embodiment in which mobile phones  1   a  to  1   c , wireless device testers  2   a  to  2   c,  and a control PC  3  are included. 
     In the performance test system S, the wireless device testers  2   a  to  2   c  are connected to the mobile phones  1   a  to  1   c  through RF cables  4   a  to  4   c , respectively, and are connected to the control PC  3  through a control cable  5 . In this way, one control PC  3  is provided for the multiple mobile phones  1   a  to  1   c  and the multiple wireless device testers  2   a  to  2   c  in the performance test system S. The control cable  5  may be, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) cable or a general purpose interface bus (GPIB) cable. 
     The mobile phones  1   a  to  1   c  include RF processors  10   a  to  10   c  and baseband-large scale integration circuits (BB-LSI)  18   a  to  18   c,  respectively. The RF processors  10   a  to  10   c  perform transmission/reception operations for RF signals used as wireless signals. The baseband-large scale integration circuits  18   a  to  18   c  control the operations of the RF processors  10   a  to  10   c,  respectively. The RF processors  10   a  to  10   c  are the test objects of the performance test. For example, when the performance test is performed, the RF processors  10   a  to  10   c  transmit test-use RF signals to the wireless device testers  2   a  to  2   c  and receive test-use RF signals transmitted from the wireless device testers  2   a  to  2   c,  respectively. 
     The wireless device testers  2   a  to  2   c  are test-use measurement devices for testing the wireless communication performance of the RF processors  10   a  to  10   c,  respectively. The wireless device testers  2   a  to  2   c  measure the transmission frequencies and transmission power values or the like of the RF signals transmitted from the RF processors  10   a  to  10   c  and transmit the test-use RF signals to the RF processors  10   a  to  10   c,  respectively. The control PC  3  is a control device for controlling the operations of the wireless device testers  2   a  to  2   c.    
     In the performance system S, the wireless device testers  2   a  to  2   c , instead of from BB-LSIs  18   a  to  18   c,  send control information in a form of RF signals used for controlling the operations of the RF processors  10   a  to  10   c.  Upon receiving the RF signals, the RF processors  10   a  to  10   c  extract the control information from the received RF signals and perform test operations in accordance with the content of the extracted control information. Namely, the RF processors  10   a  to  10   c  according to the second embodiment perform the transmission/reception operations for the RF signals on the basis of control performed by the wireless device testers  2   a  to  2   c  instead of control performed by the BB-LSIs  18   a  to  18   c.    
     In this way, in the performance test system S, it is not necessary for the RF processors  10   a  to  10   c  to control the BB-LSIs  18   a  to  18   c.  Accordingly, a test time may be reduced by omitting a time necessary for activating the BB-LSIs  18   a  to  18   c  from the test time and a processing time taken in the mobile phones  1   a  to  1   c  may be reduced. 
     In addition, in the performance test system S, the control PC  3  controls the wireless device tester  2  only at the time of start of the wireless adjustment/test or when data is read out after termination of the wireless adjustment/test. Therefore, the control PC  3  may easily control the multiple wireless device testers  2   a  to  2   c.    
     Next, it will be described as follows on the configurations of the mobile phones is to is and the wireless device testers  2   a  to  2   c.  Any one of the mobile phones is to is will be simply referred to as “mobile phone  1 ”, hereinafter. In a similar way, any one of the wireless device testers  2   a  to  2   c  will be simply referred to as “wireless device tester  2 ”, and any one of the RF cables  4   a  to  4   c  will be simply referred to as “RF cable  4 ”. 
     First, the configuration of the wireless device tester  2  will be described.  FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a wireless device tester  2  according to the second embodiment.  FIG. 3  illustrates that the wireless device tester  2  includes an external interface (IF) connector  21 , an external IF  22 , a memory  23 , a BB processor  24 , a modulator  25 , and a transmitter  26 . In addition, the wireless device tester  2  includes a hybrid device (HYB: a signal branch device)  27 , a transmission/reception connector  28 , a receiver  29 , a demodulator  30 , a measurement processor  31 , and a controller  32 . 
     The external IF connector  21  is a connector used for connecting the wireless device tester  2  to the control PC  3 . The external IF  22  transfers a signal from the external IF connector  21  to the controller  32  and vice versa. The memory  23  is a storage device, such a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or a hard disk drive (HDD) or the like, and stores the procedures of the wireless adjustment/test or the like. 
     The BB processor  24  generates a transmission signal to be sent to the RF processor  10 . The BB processor  24  also extracts information, such as a measurement result or the like, from a signal input from the demodulator  30  and transfers the information to the controller  32 . The modulator  25  modulates a signal from the BB processor  24 . The transmitter  26  converts a signal from the modulator  25  to an RF signal to send the converted RF signal into the HYB  27 . 
     The HYB  27  outputs the signal from the transmitter  26  to the transmission/reception connector  28  used for connecting the wireless device tester  2  to the mobile phone  1 . Further, the HYB  27  outputs a signal from the transmission/reception connector  28  to the receiver  29 . The receiver  29  converts and amplifies the signal from the HYB  27  to send the processed signal to the demodulator  30  or the measurement processor  31 . The demodulator  30  demodulates the signal from the receiver  29  to send the demodulated signal the BB processor  24 . 
     The measurement processor  31  measures the wireless communication performance of the RF processor  10 . Specifically, the measurement processor  31  measures the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like of the test-use RF signal transmitted from the RF processor  10  and outputs the measurement result to the controller  32 . In addition, the measurement processor  31  receives the test-use RF signal transmitted from the RF processor  10  through the RF cable  4 , the transmission/reception connector  28 , the HYB  27 , and the receiver  29 . 
     The controller  32  is a central processing unit (CPU) or the like and totally controls the wireless device tester  2 . In particular, the controller  32  includes a control information transmitter  320 . The control information transmitter  320  transmits to the RF processor  10  an RF control signal used for controlling the operation of the RF processor  10 . Here, it will be described on a transmission operation for the RF control signal performed by the control information transmitter  320 . 
     When the RF control signal is transmitted to the RF processor  10 , first, the control information transmitter  320  amplitude modulates control information to generate the RF control signal. Specifically, the operation of the RF processor  10  is controlled by the control information composed with bit data that includes a value “1” or a value “0”. In addition, the control information transmitter  320  switches between a high output level and a low output level in the amplitude level of the signal transmitted to the RF processor  10 , and assigns the values “1” and “0” to the high output level and the low output level, respectively. The control information transmitter  320  transmits to the RF processor  10  the control information of bit data as an analog signal. In addition, the switching in the amplitude level is performed by the modulator  25 . 
     In this way, in the performance test system S, the wireless device tester  2  transmits to the RF processor  10  the control information used for controlling the operation of the RF processor  10 . Therefore, two kinds of RF signals, that is, the test-use RF signal and the RF control signal, are transmitted to the RF processor  10 . 
     Accordingly, in order to cause the RF processor  10  to distinguish whether the transmitted RF signal is the test-use RF signal or the RF control signal, the control information transmitter  320  transmits an RF signal with a predetermined amplitude level before transmitting the RF control signal to the RF processor  10 . Specifically, before transmitting the RF control signal to the RF processor  10 , the control information transmitter  320  transmits an RF signal having an amplitude level more than or equal to −30 dBm for not less than a predetermined period of time. Then the control information transmitter  320  transmits an RF signal having an amplitude level less than or equal to −90 dBm for not less than a predetermined period of time. 
     The controller  32  transmits the test-use RF signal to the RF processor  10  in accordance with the procedures of the wireless adjustment/test, stored in the memory  23 . Specifically, the controller  32  transmits the test-use RF signal to the RF processor  10  by controlling the BB processor  24 , the modulator  25 , and the transmitter  26 . 
     Upon receiving the measurement result information from the BB processor  24  or the measurement processor  31 , the controller  32  determines whether or not it is necessary to adjust the wireless communication performance of the RF processor  10 . Specifically, the controller  32  determines whether or not the test-use RF signal transmitted from the RF processor  10  is normally transmitted using the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like, specified by the RF control signal. In addition, the controller  32  determines whether or not the RF processor  10  receives the test-use RF signal having the normal reception frequency and the normal reception power or the like. In addition, when it is determined that it is necessary to adjust the wireless communication performance of the RF processor  10 , the controller  32  transmits the RF control signal used for wireless communication performance adjustment to the RF processor  10  to cause the RF processor  10  to adjust the wireless communication performance. 
     It will be described on the configurations of the RF processor  10  and the BB-LSI  18  included in the mobile phone  1 .  FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the configurations of the RF processor  10  and the BB-LSI  18 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the RF processor  10  includes an antenna (ANT)  11 , a test-channel (TEST-CH)  12 , an antenna-switch (ANT-SW)  13 , a duplexer (DUP: antenna duplexer)  14 , a power amplifier (PA)  15 , and an isolator (ISO: power transfer device)  16 . The RF processor  10  includes an RF-LSI  17 . 
     The ANT  11  is an antenna that transmits and receives an RF signal. The TEST-CH  12  is a connector used for a performance test, which is used when the wireless device tester  2  is connected to the RF processor  10 . The ANT-SW  13  selectively outputs the RF signal for transmission to any one of the ANT  11  and the TEST-CH  12 . The DUP  14  outputs a transmission signal from the PA  15  to any one of the ANT  11  and the TEST-CH  12 . In addition, the DUP  14  outputs a reception signal from any one of the ANT  11  and the TEST-CH  12  to the RF-LSI  17 . The PA  15  amplifies the transmission power of the transmission signal from the RF-LSI  17 . The ISO  16  causes the transmission signal to be transmitted only in one direction. 
     The RF-LSI  17  is an integrated circuit that mainly controls the operation of the RF processor  10 . Specifically, the RF-LSI  17  includes an analog processor  100 , a digital processor  110 , a memory  120 , and an intermediate frequency (IF) converter  130 . 
     The analog processor  100  performs an analog process for a transmission signal (TX signal) and a reception signal (RX signal). Specifically, the analog processor  100  converts the TX signal to an RF signal, where the TX signal is input from the digital processor  110 . The analog processor  100  also amplifies and modulates the RX signal input from the DUP  14 . 
     The digital processor  110  converts the RX signal from the analog processor  100  from an analog form to a digital form and a signal input from the IF convertor  130  from a digital form to an analog form. In addition, the digital processor  110  includes a controller  111  that totally controls the RF processor  10 . The controller  111  is a CPU or the like. 
     The memory  120  is a semiconductor memory device such as a RAM, a ROM, or a flash memory. The IF convertor  130  modulates and demodulates an IF signal from the digital processor  110  or the BB-LSI  18 . 
     The BB-LSI  18  includes a signal processor  181 , an RF controller  182 , and an IF convertor  183 . The signal processor  181  generates the TX signal. In addition, the signal processor  181  converts a signal from the RF-LSI  17  to an audio signal or data. The RF controller  182  generates control information used for controlling the operation of the RF-LSI  18 . The IF convertor  183  modulates and demodulates signals from the signal processor  181 , the RF controller  182 , and the RF-LSI  17 . 
     The RF processor  10  according to the second embodiment performs a transmission/reception operation for the RF signal on the basis of the RF control signal transmitted from the wireless device tester  2 . Therefore, in the performance test system S, it is not necessary for the BB-LSI  18  to control the RF processor  10   
     Specifically, the RF processor  10  receives the RF control signal transmitted from the wireless device tester  2  through the TEST-CH  12 . The RF control signal is input into the analog processor  100  through the ANT-SW  13  and the DUP  14 . 
     After Upon receiving the RF control signal, the analog processor  100  analog-processes the RF control signal and feeds the RF control signal to the digital processor  110 . Then the controller  111  extracts control information from the RF control signal. 
     The controller  111  controls the operation of the RF processor  10  in accordance with the extracted control information. For example, when the content of the control information indicates the transmission of the test-use RF signal, the controller  111  transmits the test-use RF signal to the wireless device tester  2 . The control information may include information specifying the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like of the RF signal to be transmitted. Accordingly, the controller  111  transmits the test-use RF signal with the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like specified by the control information. 
     After being generated by the controller  111 , the test-use RF signal is DA-converted by the digital processor  110  and output to the analog processor  100 . Then, the test-use RF signal is converted to an RF signal by the analog processor  100  and amplified by the PA  15 . The test-use RF signal is transmitted from the TEST-CH  12  to the wireless device tester  2  through the ISO  16 , the DUP  14 , and the ANT-SW  13 . 
     When the content of the control information indicates that the test-use RF signal is to be received, the controller  111  moves to a reception standby state in which the controller  111  stands by for the reception of the test-use RF signal transmitted from the wireless device tester  2 . When receiving the test-use RF signal transmitted from the wireless device tester  2 , the controller  111  measures the frequency and the power or the like of the test-use RF signal and transmits the measurement result to the wireless device tester  2 . 
     When the content of the control information indicates that the wireless communication performance of the RF processor  10  is to be adjusted, the controller  111  adjusts the wireless communication performance of the RF processor  10  in accordance with the content of the control information. For example, the controller  111  adjusts the transmission power of the RF signal in a manner of modifying a setting value used for the power amplification factor in the PA  15  for the RF signal. 
     In addition, at times other than the wireless adjustment/test, the RF processor  10  operates on the basis of control performed by the BB-LSI  18 . For example, the BB-LSI  18  generates control information for the RF-LSI  17  using the RF controller  182 , and outputs the control information to the RF-LSI  17  through the IF convertor  183 . Upon receiving the control information from the RF controller  182 , the RF-LSI  117  controls the operation of the RF processor  10  in accordance with the content of the received control information. 
     At times other than the wireless adjustment/test, the BB-LSI  18  generates the TX signal by use of the signal processor  181  and feeds the TX signal into the digital processor  110  through the IF convertors  183  and  130 . Upon receiving the TX signal, the digital signal processor  110  converts the TX signal into digital form. Then the analog processor converts the TX signal in digital into a RF signal which is fed to the ANT  11  through the PA  15 , the ISO  16 , the DUP  14 , and the ANT-SW  13 . Form the ANT  11 , the RF signal is output. 
     The more detailed configuration of the RF-LSI  17  will be described. First, the configuration of a receiver in the RF-LSI  17  will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 , in which the configuration of the receiver in the RF-LSI is illustrated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a receiver  17 A in the RF-LSI  117  includes a low-noise amplifier (LNA)  171 , a quadrature demodulator (QDEM)  172 , and an analog variable gain amplifier (VGA)  173 . In addition, the receiver  17 A includes an analog-digital converter (ADC)  174 , a digital VGA  175 , a detector (DET)  176 , an auto gain controller (AGC)  177 , and a controller  111 . 
     The LNA  171  amplifies an RF signal (RXin) from the DUP  14 . The QDEM  172  converts the frequency of a signal from the LAN  171 . The analog VGA  173  amplifies a signal from the QDEM  172 . The ADC  174  converts a signal from the analog VGA  173  to a digital signal. The digital VGA  175  amplifies a signal from the ADC  174 . An output signal (IQ signal) from the ADC  174  is fed as IQout into the digital processor  110 . Here, the IQ signal output from the ADC  174  includes information of the phase and the amplitude or the like of the RF signal received by the ANT  11 . 
     The DET  176  detects the amplitude level of the IQ signal output from the ADC  174  and inputs the amplitude level into the AGC  177 . According to the amplitude level of the IQ signal, the AGC  177  feedback-controls amplification factors used for amplifying signals in the LAN  171 , the analog VGA  173 , and the digital VGA  174 . In the second embodiment, using AGC function described above, control information is extracted from the RF control signal. 
     Specifically, through the AGC  177 , the controller  111  obtains amplitude level information relating to the amplitude level of the IQ signal, detected by the DET  176 . In addition, the controller  111  extracts control information as bit data from the RF control signal on the basis of the obtained amplitude level information. It will be described on an example of an operation in which the control information is extracted from the RF control signal received from the wireless device tester  2 .  FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a method in which the control information is extracted from the RF control signal. In  FIG. 6 , a vertical axis indicates the amplitude level of the RX signal detected by the DET  176 , and a horizontal axis is a time scale. 
     In a period A in  FIG. 6 , the controller  111  starts a control information extraction operation when the controller  111  receives a signal having an amplitude level more than or equal to −30 dBm for more than a predetermined period of time, and, after that, receives a signal having an amplitude level less than or equal to −90 dBm for more than a predetermined period of time. 
     Once starting the control information extraction operation, in a period B in  FIG. 6 , the controller  111  recognizes the RF signal as data having a value “1”, in the case in which the amplitude level of the RF signal is from −50 dBm to −30 dBm after the control information extraction operation is started. The controller  111  recognizes the RF signal as data having a value “0”, in the case in which the amplitude level of the RF signal is from −90 dBm to −70 dBm after the control information extraction operation is started. In this way, the controller  111  recognizes the received RF signal as bit data. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the amplitude level of the RF signal has values −80 dBm, −40 dBm, −80 dBm, −80 dBm, −40 dBm, −40 dBm, and −40 dBm, in order, after the control information extraction operation is started. In this case, the controller  111  recognizes the RF signal as 8-bit control information having a value “01001011”. In this way, by extracting the control information from the RF control signal received from the wireless device tester  2 , the RF-LSI  17  may operate without control from the BB-LSI  18 . 
     In addition, the controller  111  transmits information of the amplitude level of the IQ signal detected by DET  176  as the measurement result of the test-use RF signal transmitted from the wireless device tester  2 . 
     The configuration of a transmitter in the RF-LSI  17  will be described with reference to  FIG. 7  illustrating the configuration of the transmitter in the RF-LSI  17 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a transmitter  17 B in the RF-LSI  17  includes a digital-analog convertor (DAC)  178 , an analog transmission circuit  179 , a controller  111 , and a memory  120 . 
     The DAC  178  converts the IQ signal (IQin) from the digital processor  110  to an analog signal. The analog transmission circuit  179  converts the analog signal from the DAC  178  to an RF signal. The RF signal (TXout) output from the analog transmission circuit  179  is input into the PA  15  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The memory  120  stores a test pattern data  121 . The test pattern data  121  is random pattern data such as PN  9  data or PN  15  data. The random pattern data is data used as a test signal used for the performance test. For example, the PN  9  data is a random pattern data having a length of 2 raised to the 9th power, that is, 2 9 . 
     According to the content of the control information extracted from the RF control signal, the controller  111  generates a digital IQ signal, using the test pattern data  121  stored in the memory  120 . The digital IQ signal is converted into an analog signal by the DAC  178 . And then the digital IQ signal is converted into the RF signal by the analog transmission circuit  179  and is output to the PA  15 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the RF signal output to the PA  15  is transmitted to the wireless device tester  2  through the ISO  16 , the DUP  14 , the ANT-SW  13 , and the TEST-CH  12 . 
     In this way, storing the test pattern data  121  in the memory  120  allows the RF-LSI  17  to generate the test-use RF signal without using the BB-LSI  18 . 
     Next, it will be described on the operating procedures of the wireless adjustment/test in the performance test system according to the second embodiment. First, operating procedures performed at performing wireless communication performance adjustment will be described with reference to  FIG. 8A . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8A , when power is applied to the RF processor  10  (Step S 101 ), the RF processor  10  is activated. After confirming that the RF processor  10  is activated, the control PC  3  configures an initial setting for the wireless device tester  2  (Step S 102 ). Specifically, by transmitting initial setting information with instruction for the wireless device tester  2  to start the wireless adjustment/test, the control PC  3  causes the wireless device tester  2  to start an operation performed at the time of the wireless adjustment/test. 
     When starting the operation for the wireless adjustment/test, the wireless device tester  2  transmits the RF control signal to the RF-LSI  17 , thereby configuring an operation setting (Step S 103 ). For example, the wireless device tester  2  transmits to the RF-LSI  17  the RF control signal including the information indicating that the test-use RF signal is to be transmitted with a predetermined transmission frequency and predetermined transmission power or the like. Upon receiving the RF control signal, the RF-LSI  17  extracts the control information and transmits the test-use RF signal with the predetermined transmission frequency and the predetermined transmission power or the like according to the content of the extracted control information. 
     When the operation setting for the RF-LSI  17  is completed, a wireless communication performance adjustment operation is performed (Step S 104 ). For example, the wireless device tester  2  measures the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like of the test-use RF signal transmitted from the RF processor  10 . The wireless device tester  2  compares the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like as the measurement result, with the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like specified by the RF control signal. Depending on the result of the comparison, the wireless device tester  2  determines whether or not the RF processor  10  has transmitted the RF signal using the specified transmission frequency and the specified transmission power or the like. 
     When it is determined that the RF processor  10  has not transmitted the RF signal using the specified transmission frequency and the specified transmission power or the like, the wireless device tester  2  adjusts the wireless communication performance of the RF processor  10 . For example, the wireless device tester  2  transmits to the RF-LSI  17  the RF control signal which includes the information for modifying the setting value of the power amplification factor used in the PA  15  in the RF processor  10 . Upon receiving the RF signal, the RF-LSI  17  modifies the setting value of the power amplification factor used in the PA  15  in accordance with the content of the received RF control signal. 
     In this way, the wireless device tester  2  performs the wireless communication performance adjustment operation under the setting conditions of the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like. The wireless device tester  2  repeats the wireless communication performance adjustment operation with appropriately changing the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like (Step S 105 ). When there is an unprocessed setting condition (Step S 105  negative), the wireless device tester  2  proceeds to Step S 103  and causes the same operation to be performed. 
     On the other hand, when the wireless communication performance adjustment operation is completed with respect to all setting conditions (Step S 105  affirmative), the wireless device tester  2  determines whether or not the wireless communication performance adjustment operation has been performed normally (Step S 106 ). Here, when there is a setting condition in which the wireless communication performance adjustment operation is not performed normally owing to the occurrence of an error or the like (Step S 106  negative), the wireless device tester  2  performs again the wireless communication performance adjustment operation in the corresponding setting condition (Step S 107 ). On the other hand, when the wireless communication performance adjustment operation has been performed normally in all setting conditions (Step S 106  affirmative), the wireless device tester  2  terminates the wireless communication performance adjustment. 
     When the wireless communication performance adjustment is terminated, the performance test is performed.  FIG. 8B  is a flowchart illustrating operating procedures performed when the performance test is performed according to the second embodiment. Here, the performance test is a test in which it is determined whether or not the wireless communication performance of the RF processor  10  has been correctly adjusted in the wireless communication performance adjustment, and basically is a similar operation as the wireless adjustment operation. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8B , when the performance test is started, first, the wireless device tester  2  configures an operation setting for the RF-LSI  17  (Step S 201 ), and then the performance test for the RF processor  10  is performed (Step S 202 ). These operations are the same as the operations in Steps S 103  and S 104  illustrated in  FIG. 8A . 
     Following this, the wireless device tester  2  repeats the performance test operation with appropriately changing the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like (Step S 203 ). When there is an unprocessed setting condition (Step S 203  negative), the wireless device tester  2  performs the operations in Steps S 201  and  202  with respect to the unprocessed setting condition. 
     On the other hand, when the performance test operation is completed with respect to all setting conditions (Step S 203  affirmative), the wireless device tester  2  determines whether or not the performance test has been performed normally (Step S 204 ). When there is a setting condition in which the performance test operation is not performed normally owing to the occurrence of an error or the like (Step S 204  negative), the wireless device tester  2  performs again the performance test operation in the corresponding setting condition (Step S 205 ). On the other hand, when the performance test operation is completed with respect to all setting conditions (Step S 204  affirmative), the wireless device tester  2  terminates the performance test. 
     Next, the detailed operation of the wireless device tester  2  will be described with referred to  FIG. 9  which illustrates operating procedures performed in a wireless device tester  2  according to the second embodiment. In  FIG. 9 , only operating procedures relating to the wireless adjustment/test are illustrated from among operating procedures performed by the wireless device tester  2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , when receiving initial setting information from the control PC  3  (Step S 301 ), the controller  32  performs the wireless communication performance adjustment operation (Step S 302 ). Furthermore, after the wireless communication performance adjustment operation, the controller  32  performs the performance test operation (Step S 303 ). When terminating the performance test operation, the controller  32  transmits data, which relates to the measurement result and the result of the wireless communication performance adjustment or the like, to the control PC  3  and terminates operating procedures relating to the wireless adjustment/test. 
     The operating procedures of the wireless communication performance adjustment operation illustrated in Step S 302  will be described with referred to  FIG. 10  which illustrates a flowchart of the operating procedures of the wireless communication performance adjustment operation according to the second embodiment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , when starting the wireless communication performance adjustment operation, first, the wireless device tester  2  transmits to the RF-LSI  17  the RF control signal indicating the start of the wireless adjustment/test (Step S 401 ). In addition, in order to wait for an initiation response of the wireless adjustment/test from the RF-LSI  17 , the wireless device tester  2  continues to transmit to the RF-LSI  17  the RF control signal indicating the start of the wireless adjustment/test. 
     When receiving the initiation response of the wireless adjustment/test from the RF-LSI  17  (Step S 402 ), the wireless device tester  2  determines that synchronization is established between the wireless device tester  2  and the RF-LSI  17 , and goes to the operation of Step S 403 . In Step S 403 , the wireless device tester  2  transmits to the RF-LSI  17  the RF control signal used for an operation setting. When testing the wireless reception performance of the RF processor  10 , the wireless device tester  2  transmits to the RF-LSI  17  the RF signal indicating that the RF-LSI  17  is to move to a reception standby state for the reception of the RF signal, and then transmits the test-use RF signal to the RF-LSI  17 . 
     When receiving the RF signal from the RF-LSI  17  (Step S 404 ), the wireless device tester  2  performs wireless communication performance measurement (Step S 405 ). Specifically, when the RF signal from the RF processor  10  is the test-use RF signal, the wireless device tester  2  measures the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like of the received RF signal, using the measurement processor  31 . In addition, when the RF signal received from the RF processor  10  is the RF signal indicating the measurement result of the RX signal measured in the RF-LSI  17 , the wireless device tester  2  extracts measurement result information from the RF signal. 
     When the wireless communication performance measurement is completed, the controller  32  determines whether or not it is necessary for the wireless communication performance of the RF processor  10  to be adjusted (Step S 406 ). Specifically, the controller  32  compares the transmission frequency and the transmission power correspond to the measurement result with the transmission frequency and the transmission power specified by the RF control signal. Using this comparison, the controller  32  confirms whether or not the RF processor  10  has transmitted the RF signal with the normal transmission frequency and the normal transmission power or the like. 
     When the RF processor  10  has not transmitted the RF signal with the specified transmission frequency and the specified transmission power, the wireless device tester  2  determines that it is necessary for the wireless communication performance of the RF processor  10  to be adjusted (Step S 406  affirmative). When it is determined that it is necessary for the wireless communication performance of the RF processor  10  to be adjusted, the wireless device tester  2  transmits the RF control signal used for wireless communication performance adjustment to the RF-LSI  17  (Step S 407 ). 
     Depending on the completion of the operation in Step S 407  or on the determination of no adjustment for the wireless communication performance in Step S 406  (Step S 406  negative), the controller  32  determines whether or not the adjustment operation is completed with respect to all setting conditions (Step S 408 ). When there is an unprocessed setting condition (Step S 408  negative), the wireless device tester  2  turns to Step S 403  and causes the same operation to be performed with respect to the unprocessed setting condition. 
     On the other hand, when it is determined that the adjustment operation is completed with respect to all setting conditions (Step S 408  affirmative), the wireless device tester  2  determines whether or not the wireless communication performance adjustment has been performed normally (Step S 409 ). Here, when there is a setting condition in which the wireless communication performance adjustment is not performed normally owing to the occurrence of an error or the like (Step S 409  negative), the wireless device tester  2  performs again the operations in Steps S 403  to S 407  with respect to the corresponding setting condition (Step S 410 ). On the other hand, when the wireless communication performance adjustment operation has been performed normally (Step S 409  affirmative), the wireless device tester  2  terminates the wireless communication performance adjustment operation. 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , it will be described on the performance test operation illustrated in Step S 303 .  FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating operating procedures performed when the performance test operation is performed according to the second embodiment. Here, in the performance test operation illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the similar operations as those in Steps S 403  to S 410  illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
     Specifically, in Step S 501 , the wireless device tester  2  transmits to the RF-LSI  17  the RF control signal used for an operation setting. When receiving the RF signal from the RF-LSI  17  (Step S 502 ), the wireless device tester  2  performs wireless communication performance measurement (Step S 503 ), and determines whether or not it is necessary for the wireless communication performance of the RF processor  10  to be adjusted (Step S 504 ). In addition, when it is determined that it is necessary for the wireless communication performance of the RF processor  10  to be adjusted (Step S 504  affirmative), the wireless device tester  2  transmits the RF control signal used for wireless communication performance adjustment to the RF-LSI  17  (Step S 505 ). 
     Depending on the completion of the operation in Step S 505  or on the determination of no adjustment for the wireless communication performance (Step S 504  negative), the controller  32  determines whether or not the adjustment operation is completed with respect to all setting conditions (Step S 506 ). In addition, when there is an unprocessed setting condition (Step S 506  negative), the wireless device tester  2  turns to Step S 501  and causes the same operation to be performed. 
     On the other hand, when it is determined that the adjustment operation is completed with respect to all setting conditions (Step S 506  affirmative), the wireless device tester  2  determines whether or not the performance test operation has been performed normally (Step S 507 ). When there is a setting condition in which the performance test operation is not performed normally owing to the occurrence of an error or the like (Step S 507  negative), the wireless device tester  2  performs again the operations in Steps S 501  to S 505  with respect to the corresponding setting condition (Step S 508 ). On the other hand, when the performance test operation has been performed normally (Step S 507  affirmative), the wireless device tester  2  terminates the performance test operation. 
     Next, the detailed operation of the mobile phone  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 12  which is a flowchart illustrating operating procedures performed in the mobile phone  1  according to the second embodiment. In  FIG. 12 , only operating procedures relating to the wireless adjustment/test are illustrated from among operating procedures performed by the RF-LSI  17 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , when power is applied to the RF processor  10  (Step S 601 ), the RF-LSI  17  receives from the wireless device tester  2  the RF control signal indicating the start of the wireless adjustment/test (Step S 602 ). When power is applied to the RF processor  10 , the RF-LSI  17  moves to a state in which the RF-LSI  17  may automatically receive the RF signal from the wireless device tester  2 . When receiving the RF signal indicating the start of the wireless adjustment/test, the RF-LSI  17  transmits the initiation response of the wireless adjustment/test to the wireless device tester  2  (Step S 603 ). 
     When transmitting the initiation response of the wireless adjustment/test to the wireless device tester  2 , the RF-LSI  17  determines whether or not the RF control signal used for an operation setting is received (Step S 604 ). Specifically, when the control information extracted from the RF control signal by the controller  111  is the control signal used for an operation setting, the RF-LSI  17  determines that the RF control signal used for an operation setting is received. When, in the operation, it is determined that the RF control signal used for an operation setting is received (Step S 604  affirmative), the RF-LSI  17  performs a transmission/reception operation for the RF signal on the basis of the control information extracted from the RF control signal (Step S 605 ). 
     Specifically, when the content of the control information extracted from the RF control signal indicates that a test-use RF signal is to be transmitted, the RF-LSI  17  transmits to the wireless device tester  2  the test-use RF signal with the transmission frequency and the transmission power or the like specified by the control information. When the content of the control information extracted from the RF control signal indicates that a reception operation for the test-use RF signal is to be performed, the RF-LSI  17  moves to a reception standby state in which the RF-LSI  17  stands by for the reception of the test-use RF signal transmitted from the wireless device tester  2 . In addition, the RF-LSI  17  measures the reception frequency and the reception power or the like of the test-use RF signal received from the wireless device tester  2  and transmits the measurement result to the wireless device tester  2 . 
     On the other hand, when it is determined that the RF control signal used for an operation setting is not received (Step S 604  negative), the RF-LSI  17  determines whether or not the RF control signal used for wireless communication performance adjustment is received (Step S 606 ). When, in this operation, it is determined that the RF control signal used for wireless communication performance adjustment is received (Step S 606  affirmative), the RF-LSI  17  performs the wireless communication performance adjustment in accordance with the content of the received RF control signal (Step S 607 ). For example, the controller  111  in the RF-LSI  17  modifies a setting value used for the power amplification factor of the RF signal for the PA  15 . 
     On the other hand, when it is determined that the RF control signal used for wireless performance adjustment is not received (Step S 606  negative), the RF-LSI  17  determines whether or not the test-use RF control signal is received (Step S 608 ). When it is determined that the test-use RF control signal is received (Step S 608  affirmative), the RF-LSI  17  performs a measurement operation for the received test-use RF signal (Step S 609 ) and transmits the measurement result to the wireless device tester  2  (Step S 610 ). 
     When the operations in Steps S 605 , S 607 , or S 610  is completed or it is determined that the test-use RF signal is received (Step S 608  negative), the RF-LSI  17  shifts the operation to Step S 604 . 
     As mentioned above, in the performance test system S according to the second embodiment, the operation of the RF-LSI  17  is controlled by the RF control signal transmitted from the wireless device tester. Accordingly, the wireless adjustment/test is performed without using the BB-LSI  18 . Therefore, in the performance test system S, the test time may be reduced by omitting the time necessary for activating the BB-LSI  18  that is not the object of the performance test. Further, a processing time taken in the mobile phone  1  may be reduced. As a result, in the performance test system S according to the second embodiment, a time necessary for the performance test may be reduced. 
     In addition, in the performance test system S according to the second embodiment, the mobile phone  1  sends the notice of a setting response to the operation setting of the RF processor  10  only when the wireless adjustment/test is started. Therefore, in the performance test system S according to the second embodiment, a time necessary for waiting for the setting response from the mobile phone  1  may be reduced in comparison with the case in which the control PC  3  controls the operation of the RF-LSI  17 . 
     In addition, in the performance test method according to the first embodiment, it is not necessary for the individual control PCs  3  to be provided for the individual mobile phones  1 . Therefore, in the performance test system S according to the second embodiment, the performance test may be efficiently performed even for the multiple wireless communication devices  60 . 
     While, as above, the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail on the basis of figures, these embodiments are examples. Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, the various changes, substitutions, and improved alterations may be made hereto on the basis of the embodiments disclosed in the specification and the knowledge of those skilled in the art. 
     For example, in the second embodiment, while the RF-LSI  17  has the configuration corresponding to only one band in an universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), a configuration in which a UTMS function and a global system for mobile communications (GSM) function are integrated into one chip may be adopted. In addition, the RF-LSI  17  may be a multiband-compliant device. 
     Further, the RF processor  10  and the wireless device tester  2  transmit and receive various kinds of RF signals to and from each other through the RF cable  4 . However, while the embodiments are not limited to the example, the RF signals may be transmitted and received between the ANT  11  in the RF processor  10  and an antenna, not illustrated, in the wireless device tester  2 . 
     In addition, when extracting the control information from the RF control signal, the controller  111  recognizes the RF signal having a high output level as data having a value “1”, and the RF signal having a low output level as data having a value “0”. However, the controller  111  may recognize the RF signal having a high output level as data having a value “0”, and the RF signal having a low output level as data having a value “1”. 
     In addition, in the second embodiment, while the wireless device tester  2  determines whether or not it is necessary to perform the wireless communication performance adjustment, the embodiment is not limited to the example. For example, the wireless device tester  2  may transmit to the control PC the measurement result of the wireless communication performance measurement performed in Step S 405  illustrated in  FIG. 10 , and, on the basis of the measurement result, the control PC  3  may determines whether or not it is necessary to perform the wireless communication performance adjustment. 
     All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although the embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.