«2 United States Patent Rada et al. 2 009316714 (10) Patent No. 4s) Date of Patent: US 9,316,714 B2 Apr. 19, 2016 (54) TEST STATION FOR WIRELESS DEVICES AND METHODS FOR CALIBRATION ‘THEREOE (71) Applicant: EMSCAN CORPORATION, Calgary cay (72) Inveators: Patrick Rada, San Jose, CA (US), Ruska Patton, Calgary (CA) (73) Assignee: EMSCAN CORPORATION, Calgary, Alberta (CA) (*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 USC. 1S4{b) by 268 days, (21) Appl. Nos 137707, 074 (22) Filed: Dee. 6, 2012 ws) Prior Publication Data US 2018018767A1 Jul. 28,2013 Related US. Application Data (60) Provisional application No. 61/567, 461, filed on Dec. 6.2011 6) Inc. nob 170 (201501) mos 2400 (2009.01) GoIR 3500 (2006.01) ‘Hose 7 (201501) ‘HOt 1721 (201501) (52) US.Cl eve GOL 35/005 (2013.01; HOA 17/11 (201501), 04x 1727 (2015.01) (58) Field of Classification Seareh CPC eos HOMB 17100; HOSE 17/11; HOMB 17/21 10333 17/0085; HosW 24/00; HOAW 24/06 spc 455167.11, 67.14, 423, 424, 425 ‘See application file for complete search history. 60) References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS 7.672.540 B2_ 82010 Nyshadhamt SAMRI B2* 62013 Schewher 45867. S502.66 8282013 Nyshadham la 706046 B2* 42014 Malin 4ssig7a4 * cited by examiner Primary Examiner — Quoctien B Vuong (74) Auornes, Agent, oF Firm — Bennet Jones LLP on ABSTRACT A test station for wireless devices and methods for calibration thereo The test station includes. signal penerator a calibra for, a seanner having receiving and transmitting antennas, signal analyzer, and a computer. Under the drwetion of the ‘computer the signal generator generates calibration signal inaceordance with a programmable calibration signal sri. ‘Thecalibratormay heused to cmblatecthera wireless device {in transmit mode by transmitting the calibration signal t the scanner for analysis by the signal analyzer, or a wireless eviee in receive mode by receiving the calibration signal fom the scanner for analysis by the signal analyzer. The ‘behavior ofthe test station is calibrated by correlating signal parameters ofthe calibration signal as specified by the cal bration signal script and as measured atthe signal analyzer. 14.Clal 138 Drawing Sheets [isUS 9,316,714 B2 Sheet 1 of 35 Apr. 19, 2016 U.S, Patent viamingUS 9,316,714 B2 Sheet 2 of 35 Apr. 19, 2016 U.S, Patent ay omni yoo vos goose “suougiedaco pape “ 5 x09 PUSHPAUS 9,316,714 B2 Sheet 3 of 35 Apr. 19, 2016 U.S, Patent amity 607 ~} end 850 weirs moet oOU.S. Patent Apr. 19, 2016 Sheet 4 of 35 US 9,316,714 B2 JU.S. Patent Apr. 19, 2016 Sheet 5 of 35, US 9,316,714 B2 Poets ez No jos cual onto OUT, wae \ a = - oc losin \4 ose } ! 1@2010 VBANSG { taftigin | ae Rea VO O Production Shes Box w shielded compertments, 643 8048 leolatlon 2-8GH2 Figure 3BU.S. Patent Apr. 19, 2016 Sheet 6 of 35 ‘Stan Fast WLAN Caloration VERIFICATION Program ‘with Callrator Put Calibrator onthe Pate: ‘User opens RF box, laces the ealraor onthe plate (antenna ‘aligned to template antenna), and doses RF box faadto1 Te rade on ra ransns og mor powar at 1196 Mops, channel long frames vepetively with crdom deta & read on port RF Localize Calibrator position: RF aports ecane a probes very fas, nds best probe and sel calbrates as needed (dots por probe & per fea) [ Set GAIN SEL i to sofware Set GAIN SEL swiches SWNT & ‘SeLGAIN_SEL in Auto moder] / Read prevous wirsess / Caluinte Sting for GAIN SEL | Toss valve per ton. & ‘switches SWI & SWE setup cal valves — tablish RF Link 7 Rypane sots RF switch to RF VO connector Verify Wireless Coupling Loss as per list of Fequencios crIeT 102010 connects RFI to VBA and reed signal hr caterer & fa—{ Read eh ct quences Pale and venies weeless couping oss at each eq of he st Emulate DUT with “JUST OK" impaired WLAN signals par tot script ‘Calibrator & Verity thelr WLAN performancet SW downloads in Tove, EVM & madul), VSG pot on RF2. VSA put on RT wars signals) per spt, read signals &verfes wireless performanes per st (goc fest valabe fog. TX ove, mod, ral, impaemert()) Emulate DUT with “JUST BAD" Impaired WLAN signals per test Seript & Calibrator & Verity their WLAN performances: f S5W doviads i 1Q2010 “ust OK" impaved UO TH Hts) (emclate TX (oem fest vation: eq, TX evel, mas, fate, imparmants) Consolidate, Double-Check Calibration & Staion Accuracy por script: Program checks for abnorraliy, very wireless coupling lose calbraton, venty Staton accuracy, compares wi prevcus clioraton verification | values, splay report User (sempe/cetaie), and store int calbraton ‘etfeaion repr fe — weno opened Cea) 2s = Figure 4 |SW2 a8 par sofware fle stings S510 us OK mina Foe hes omite TK |_| compuesto DUT SSonresra a a ‘Store resus in US 9,316,714 B2 Vert fe Program sets GAL_SW swten oeaibatr,oads cabotor TX cal vert fe, sts|,_ Read Galbrtor TX Ca / Read GANSEC {settings in sweeless coupling tos fe Read previously testscrot—_\ Read previously Tevel, EVM & mod), VSG put on RF, VSA put on RF, anamt | computed ust GAC DUT| signals) per senpt, red signals & veriies wreless performance per scnpt) _\__™Paired U0 TH fe al Vettesion Histor fleUS 9,316,714 B2 Sheet 7 of 35 Apr. 19, 2016 U.S, Patent SI gambiy (x2 “yas sca wurst) (STIG ROL NVOSHE, ss maueo ina ms weLueden, yendwoo, saseL weoninnt OLdzOLOdeT La za +lU.S. Patent Apr. 19, 2016 Sheet 8 of 35 US 9,316,714 B2 (= Tempretare Aute-alinaton af) thebur pepsin) G01 with T: Current temperature Ti Temp. al previous avlocaliralion AT: Temperature thresnole 602 603 ~| oasure tie OUT_RX path with Aé: Establish path, 102010 V8@ generates & RFxpert measures signel per ‘each freq, of the test soript saat ‘Moagura the DUT_RX path with CAL cif: Estebish path, 102010 VSB generates & RFxoert measures signal par each freq, ofthe test script, a 605~{ Compare measured value to factory default per each frog, of the test seript: Read factory values, Interpolats for each freq, of the test script, compare factory default values and calculate new callbration | Predetermined Factory / Velues per vous | frequencies | factor per freq, J Adjusted cel, fector por { frog, toat ect | aUS 9,316,714 B2 Sheet 9 of 35 Apr. 19, 2016 U.S, Patent Lainbig 22188 ‘won oL0Z01 wHodsAn, + women ina ® FO my (20S POE,U.S. Patent Apr. 19, 2016 Sheet 10 of 35 With B05 Moasuro the OUT_TX path with A3 & At; Establish na L por each freq, of the test scp pati, [62010 VSG generetes & VEA mossuros asus the OUT_T% path with AB BAT 8 AB Establish path, (2010 VSG generates & VSA tmeeeure signal per each freq of te test script aos 806 ‘Compare measured valuo to factory de ule por ach oq, ofthe tost soript: Read factory valuse, Inteepolete for each fteq, of the test ecipt, campers. ‘factory default values end celouiate new callortion factor per freq. ‘Ad]ust ealtoration factors ILrownx) and etoro at each freq. — End Figure 8 Current temparature “Temp. at pravicus eulgcalibration AT: Temperatura threshold oe US 9,316,714 B2 Predetermined Facioyy Velues per various frequencies |___,f Adjusted cal, factor por freq, tot ecriptUS 9,316,714 B2 Sheet 11 of 35, Apr. 19, 2016 U.S, Patent eaminy GP ) ERR} ERT i = [aaenme] SEER ees| Lene, ‘Seaail win ino ina waren aca we ee auc ela ing wes oe a eeU.S. Patent Apr. 19, 2016 Sheet 12 of 35 US 9,316,714 B2 Figure 10U.S. Patent Apr. 19, 2016 Sheet 13 of 35 US 9,316,714 B2 Road Normaine Tout opt Fe stomata dung Ce. reparation phate 1102 -J Program wenn) intoty Re ion, {2010 genaraos signe, Rapa 8X ae #2 faves fr evry reuey of he ‘Movmaausnasclas N03 «| provi oo eabie nt a #2 tnd now Sia #3 for avery requaney of tol ect ona sore tomooary vetoes aa Figure 1AU.S. Patent Apr. 19, 2016 Sheet 14 of 35 Witaloss Coupling Calibration at every test frequency, wy ik Oalbrator on Rap laa W2 4 Ang Wt Sereanieas w come VAS 7] sot Gain. 8 to it oan, Hetsbieh BF Lin & Tena ifoaeure ‘Wiles I for each reumotirate ofthe ocr It Normalzd Tox. ret export sats RF gneh a RF HO eonnedor ana 102010 ana on Fle (TYPE #2) REY W28cBim, and reset elgrallovel on RF fr each fog, Ne V7 WJ oranit bie aoa Smita tie soa | Program gal eit Cal_SW to callrtoy, loses culbretor slo, daa, sot ‘Q2010n TX mode on RF2, tener rok power at tip 6 Mbes, channel 7, ‘a5nd eng() ramos rapa wth andor data & roa on por Rs From Fh HA User opans RF box, plas the eater on the at (enanne location elgned io terpate anton) vertes prop conreaton of CaTeratr to | [RF xpert with RE cable # from port P4 to P4, & USB ceble to RFxpertt | fd doees box Trill calibrator a a ‘caates a8 nodoe) US 9,316,714 B2 Carre po Se Tea UT een ater Awe conelsesvn ation endear fx—( italia ‘ oberg. L ‘Ebtabloh RF Link & Tranoml ‘oanuro Wifloss lous for exch froumedrato ofthe scrip et: Piper eta RF avich to RF UO oonnctor end 122010 rena | Rt 106m, and measur egal eval on RF fr oach Faq, ‘Gompuies Assuraia Wiolowe love Gllvation por tot sew ‘aloretor (oq. mod. & rato) & stor thom Program oor aoedae wie ceuping a ons channel rmoculsdonidata rato wi al preva cl. maasuremans& eslvated tnblos Also aoc for stnorally. toPB') % Fig HC Figure 113 Normale Toe! Sept le (TYPE ¥2 “Aoourte wile ‘coupling valos por tego nisU.S. Patent Apr. 19, 2016 -QPTIONAL Verification with DUT Gold Unit Fron Fp lie wwe Put DUT Gold Unit on RFxport+ Pint ve | mere alate 4 inidaitza DUT Gold Unie Program Inltazos gold nt, sot TX rode, anes mix, power et 11g Mops, channel 7, send iong(?) frames repetivly wien encom ats 120 Toca BUT pean: ‘pert sana a poo vry eu fs bet robe (end to calbrloe se needed) 2) Estabifsh RP Linke Response GAN et rome al afar tote a erty to RE WO comer etd (za. RF TX Tosts with Gold Unit DUT: fa2010 maueures DUT vanembtor at various traq| odkeata aa fet above Program verifies Gallbation por tat let: Program verties DUT cal, compete eye cl teach ‘annelimoduatondata rat with 12070, gol unk ‘andl data, Alzo check for ebrcrmaly +7 b tie Ub Figuce 11¢. Sheet 15 of 35, 26% lanes the Gold un on the pa (antenna eosin US 9,316,714 B2 —{ cota sta ata ( ‘howurala wireless coupling veluos per ‘feqdmed,tea| Rend DUT data, Carat daia &. curate wr. ling theta [Store our Wels 7 Couping data AND | Emulator mode cataU.S. Patent Apr. 19, 2016 Sheet 16 of 35 User opens RF x, places the clay onthe plate (antenna ‘alanestotonplaiosrionna), ne closes RF bor raz0s0. 1 reac poner at "pe Htps chan! ang ares topatively wh fandom dat &Yeedon pot FF US 9,316,714 B2 t albratoe as nosoba (oats per probe & ere Balstoe seting fr GAN SEL ‘tones Sts SE Exablian RF Unie (eacniest varie eq, Te evel mod ale mpoorent a) "Von tne WLAN poromances’ ‘Sw dowloads in 12010 ust OF impaired 0 TX fee) emule TX owe BvRt& moa) VBC put on Ree USA putan rs wane tna) per serot read Sgnal'& vere wrlecsportermarcm per ac tort teat vorable: fog. Tc leve mae rate pawn T ‘Set GAIN SE swtenes SW & S62. pr sofware He setts Consolidate, Doubia Check Calibration & Staion Accuracy par sere ‘Program chaste fr abermeliy, vty wilesecouping oes caleravon ‘erty atan scouraey. comaies ih aewaus cartraton version values, coin report ver (simplelcetatec, and store o easton \oincation repr te aTGRT SEL wate Eaana =o imine Dot Tost sore ews Evie & mod!) VSG put on RFD. USA put on Re emma moa son) per se send sgnal svat wastes porormanes person met ead previous, computed jes) S20" OUT| “roared va Tm a) Figure 110US 9,316,714 B2 Sheet 17 of 35, ZL omnbig T_[wasovsaa | air TE | wi] Waso7sae_| arr oF 1 2 fNasowvors| utr 6 - Ww_[nasc-wvbv9 | err = I Z__[waso-wvors | utr z YW | wasomsse | ere | 8 T_| wosomsaa_| rr = I 0 | waiosissa_| arr > I 2 [Naiowwbrs | Ure é Wa] Was03sa0 | STE Z| i WN | sss | ate E 7 | wn] pow | Be [ruuRD pena a Fessias xu or0Z01 | (ap) Osa} sayesa | ses orozbr | Peunseavy | XL OTOZDI XLOTOZOH jemoy_| Snsoy SAFO ¥ F a 2 2 a > © Apr. 19, 2016 U.S, Patent w c onesies 1eye [eubis ps{oe100 a4p St WN LUIN|Oo- JopeS OS/VYSA PaTEsHED pando tp S17} ULUN}OD- ‘Menoodses “WEA pue OSA etn Woy} jeUBIs painseet pue peyereusB oy YB f SULN|OD- ‘fouanbey yows 10} (eubis paleinpow! 44 peyesoueb ayy Jo suoMeayloeds Uy Ue | 0} g SULUNIOS. 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Patent abl ombty Fea] Crna aS aal EE GEREE Ee! a alalalalalala| Slee Helelel TAB] i een] ‘axel sf 4US 9,316,714 B2 Sheet 33 of 35, Apr. 19, 2016 U.S, Patent vg} esnbi4 oem yes ops wre} as Ta FL NOSHSUS 9,316,714 B2 Sheet 34 of 35, Apr. 19, 2016 U.S, Patent agi eun6i4 wepare:eela Ware ‘opsprzicy “SPEEDUS 9,316,714 B2 Sheet 35 of 35, Apr. 19, 2016 U.S, Patent ‘St eunbig ftom soup eda [pone STEN area vedere NYOSDE POUPOW iS ais ona] [esneninr en yes} semana e ey 3 Z benaes 96a Samm “na eA PROUS 9,316,714 B2 1 ‘TEST STATION FOR WIRELESS DEVICES AND METHODS FOR CALIBRATION THEREOF: FIELD OF THE INVENTION ‘he present invention is directed to atest station for wire= Jess doviews and methods for calibration thereof. BACKGROUND In the manufacturing process of wireless devices (eg. cel= lular phones) that transmit andor receive radio frequency (RP) Signals, the wireless devices are tested at designated testing stations on the production ine 19 ensure that the devices meet perfomance parameters reganding their trans= mit of receive fnnetions. Conventional testing stations for wireless devices have fixtures configured t hold the dev uunder-test (DUT) in a specific position during testing. while probes make one or more condcted (wired) physical con- roctionto the DUT Passing devices are soepted and procecd to assembly and failing devices are rejected and repaired. Marginal units may he retested once or twice to confinn ‘whether or not they pass, For maximum efficiency and profs itabifty of dhe manofacturing proces, the testing idly con- sues a ite time a possible. This s especially important {or original design manulacturess (ODMs) who rely on opti mizing production times, Reference wireless devices having known transmit oF receive performance, commonly referred tot gold units (GUs), may be used to calibrate and verify the calibration of test stations. GUs may also be used to confi test ess for DUT ordeviations in DUT test esuts. For example, if two ‘or more consecutive DUT fail the test, the test ean be run ‘with a GU and the test results compared 0 diagnose a probs Jem in the DUT production process, defective component in the DUTS or inaccuracies in the test station In ord to verify the calibration of the test station with more granularity and to desired evelof thoroughness itis usefultohavea collection ‘of GUs of varying standards suchas “just ood enough” GUS (Ge. units that should consistently pass the test at marginally acceptable limits) and just bod enough” gold units (.e-units that should consistently fl dhe test at marginally unaccept- ‘able limits). “The use of conventional test stations for wireless devices that require conducted connections o the DUT, and the asso- ciated use of GUs, possess several potential disadvantages The need for physical connections between the test station and the DUT or GU typically requires the fixtures and probes ‘of conventional testing stations to be specifically designed Tor and therefore limited o use, with particular DUT Wype (eg a specific make and model of cellular phone) of GU. Moreover, the DUT or GU may need to be previsely posi- tioned within the tet station by means of mechanical guides. Accordingly, a high level of effort, time and money is required fo create DUT typerspecific test stations and t0 reconfigure fest stations for different DUT types. Among ‘other things, new test fixtures and associated software may ned to be installed in place of old test fixtures, tested, and calibrated. Testing. rapidly becomes complex for MIMO. DUTs having multiple inputs/muliple outputs. Physically ‘connecting and disconnecting the DUT or the GU ereates ‘wear and tear of both the test station and the DUT or GU. Finally, it is dificult to create many GUs and maintain them to the level of desired performance. Its particularly dificult 0 o 2 {0 create and maintain “Just good enough” or “just bad enough” GUs to verify calibration st marginal pass or mar inal fil mits, respectively. Therefore theresa need inthe ant fora system and method irected 10 calibration of test stations that mitigates the dis- advantages ofthe prior art. Preferably the system and method will reduce the need for conducted physical connections ‘between the test station and DUT and the neod for dedicatd Gus. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION none aspect, the present invention provides a method for calibrating ates station or testing a wireless device in trans- ‘mit mode, the test station comprising a receiving antenna, calibrator with a alibrator antenna, signal generator, al a signal analyzer, the method comprising the steps of (@) providing a signal pala comprising « conducted path from the signal generator tothe calibrator antenna, & wireless path rom the calbratoraatennato the receiving ‘antenna, anda conducted path fom the seanner antenna to the signal analyzer: (b) providing a calibration signal script encoding for 3 calibration signal having a target transmit power level at the calibrator antenna; (©) using the signal generator t generate the calibration sanal dough te signal paths (@)using the signal analyzer to measure the power level of the calibration signal; and () correlating the target transmit power level ofthe ca heaton signal tothe measured power level of the ea bration signal Inne embovdiment, the calibration signal script additionally specifies one or more of the following parameters of the calibration signal: frequency: modulation and data rate: eror vector magnitude spectral mask and flainess; eecupied band ‘width; phase noise; I-Q imbalance: clock frequency offset; center frequency leaking; or timing, Inanother aspect, the invention may comprise atest station fortesting a wireless device in transmit mode, the fest station comprising: () signal generator for generating a conducted cali tion signal (©) a calibrator comprising atleast one calibrator antenna ‘conductvely connected to the signal generator for wire- lessly transmitting the calibration signal (©)a wireless scanner comprising a receiving antenna for ‘wirelessly receiving the calibration signal; (@)a signal analyzer conductively connected to the receiv ing antenna for receiving and messuring the power level, ofthe calibration signal, (©) a computer comprising: (@). a memory for storing a calibration signal fle encod ing fora target transmit power level ofthe calibration signal at the calibrator stent, and a set of programs instructions implementing the method described herein; (i) processor operatively eonnectedto the memory,the ‘anal generator, and the signal analyzer, the proces sor configured for executing the set of program instructions. In one embodiment, the calibrator further comprises an enclosure for protecting the calibrator antenna, whieh is eon- ‘ductively connected to the signal generator via a calibrator signal path having: {(a)port that may be selectively ondvctively connected to ‘the signal analyzerUS 9,316,714 B2 3 (&) a calibrator antenna swite for selectively comnecting ‘hecalibratorantenasto and disconnecting the port from the calibrator signal pat, or disconnecting the calibrator antenna from and connecting the port tothe calibrator Signal path. In another aspect, the invention comprises a method for calibrating a test sation for testing a wireless dovice in receive mode, the wst station comprising @ transmitting ‘antenna, a calibrator wth a calbeator antenna, a signal gen= ‘erator, anda signal analyzer, the method comprising the steps of (@) providing a signal path comprising @ conducted path from the generator to the scanner antenna, a wireless path from the training antenna to the calibrator antenna, and a conducted path from the calibrator antenna tothe signal analyzer, (©) providing a calibration signal seript encoding for 3 calibration signal havinga target receive power evel and a corresponding target BER at the signal analyzer; () using the sigasl generator to generate the calibration ‘Signal through the signal path: () setting the power level of thecalibration signal received atthe signal analyzer tothe target receive power level: (e)measuring the BER of the calibration signal ceived at the signal analyzer: (has necessary, varying the power level of the calibration ‘Signal penerted by the signal yenerator fo converge the ‘measured BER tothe target BER; (g) correlating the target revive power level andthe target BER tothe power level of the calibration signal goner- ate by the signal generator at which the meastired BER. ccanverges tothe target BER, In yet another aspect, the invention may comprise a test station for testing a wireless device in receive mode the test Station comprising: (2) signal generstor for generating @ conducted calibra tion signal, (6) a wireless scanner comprising a transmitting antenns ‘conductively connoeted tothe signal generator fr wire- lessly transmitting the calibration signa: (€)a calibrator comprising a least one calibrator antenna for wirelessly receiving the calibration signal: (@)asignal analyzer eonductively connected tthe calibra tor antenna for receiving and measuring the power level of the calibration signal, (€)a variably controllable generator amplifier or attenuator ‘operatively eonnectedto thesjnal generator foe varying. the ampitide ofthe calibration sigaal generated by the Signal generators (a variably controllable analyzer amplifier o altenuator ‘operatively connected o the signal analyzer for setting the amplitude the calibration signal received by the sige nal analyzer (@) abit errr detector operatively connested tothe signal ‘analyzer for measuring the BER of the calibration signal received by the signal analyzer (h) a computer comprising: (@,amemory for storing «calibration signal le encod- ing fora target receive power level anda correspond ing target BER of the calibration sigual atthe signal analyzer, and set of program instrations imple- ‘menting the method described in paragraph (0009) above sand Gi)aprocessor operatively connected othe memory, the ‘signal generator, the signal analyzer, the generator Amplifier or atenuator, the analyzer amplifier oF 0 o 4 ‘attenuator, and the bit error detector, the processor configured for executing the set of program instrue- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OP THE DRAWINGS. In the drawings, like elements are assigned like reference ‘numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, withthe emphasis instead placed upon the principles of the present invention. Additionally, each of the embodiments depictod rebut one ofa number ofpossiblearangements utilizing the fndamental concepts ofthe present invention, The drawings are briefly described as follows FIG. 1A shows «schematic diagram of onc embodiment of ‘test station of the present invention. FIG. 1B shows a physical implementation of one embodi- ‘meat ofthe test station shown i FIG. LA FIG. 2 shows a schematic flowehart of one embodiment of method fortestinga DUT using the test station ofthe present FIG. 3A shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of ‘calibrator of the present invention FIG, 3B shows a schematic diagram of the test station of FIG. 1B, withthe calibrator in use asa GU emulator FIG. 4shows a schematic flowchart of one embodiment 3 method forcalibrating the test station of the present invention fora DUT in transmit mode, FIG. 8 shows schematie circuit diagram of one embodi- ‘ment ofthe test station ofthe present invention, when used t0 calibrate the test sation for temperature elfects, FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of one embodiment ofa method {orcalibrating the test station os shown in FIG, §fortemapers- ture effects FIG. 7 shows schematie circuit diagram of one embodi- ‘ment ofthe test station ofthe present invention, when sed t0 calibrate the test sation for temperature effets, FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of one embodiment of a method {orcalibrating the test station as shovn in FIG, 7 Tortemper- ture effects FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of « method for preparing 9 calibration signal fie FIG. 10 shows a schematic citcuit diagram ofan sutomatic etecton ere for one embodiment of the calibrator ofthe present invention, FIGS. ILA to 11Dshowsa Sowchart fone embodiment of methods for calibrating one embodiment ofthe test station of the present invention. FIG. 12 showsan example ofsef-calibration computatos {or the test station ofthe present invention. FIGS, 13A to 13K show schematic cireuit diagrams aud accompanying examples of calibration computations fr cal brating the test station of the present invention for signal power losses duc to enble insertion effets FIGS. 144 to 14E show schematic circuit diagrams and accompanying examples of calibration computations fr cal brating the tes station of the present invention for condueted signal losses FIGS, ISA to 15C show schematic eireuit diagrams of one embodiment ofthe tes station when being calibrated using Gus, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS ‘The invention relates to a system and method for calibra ing atest station for wireless devices. When describing the present invention, all terms not defined herein have theirUS 9,316,714 B2 5 ‘common art-secognized meanings. To the extent that the fl lowing description s ofa specific embodiment or a particular use ofthe iavention, is intended wo be ilusteative only, and not limiting ofthe claimed invention, The following deserip- tion i intended to cover all altestives, modifications and ‘equivalents that are included in the spint and scope of the invention, a defined in the appended elaims. ‘As used herein, a “wireless device” means any device ‘which transmits receives or both teansmits and receives sg~ nal in the form of electromagnetic radiation (respective of power or tinge). Wireless devices may’use coafigurations oF protocols such as, but not limited to, cellular telephony. WiFi WiMax, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or the ike. In one embodiment, the wireless device comprises a cellular telephone with both 'Bluctooth ad WiFi antennas. ‘As usod herein, a “device-under-est” or “DUT” means 3 ‘wireless device whose wireless transmit or receive functions, ‘or both, ae being tested by a wireless device test station, In one aspect, the present invention provides atest station ‘comprising wireless calibrator FIG, LA and FIG. 1B show ‘embodiments of atest station (8) of the present invention, Which are now described, The station (8) comprises a seanner (10) comprising a receiving andior transmitting antenna, oF ‘anamay of receiving and/or transmitting antennas, an inpul ‘output module (12), a test module (14), a computer (15) runaing testing software, a calibrator (16), and an optional temperature sensor (aot shown), “The scanner (10) antenna detects wircles signals emitted by DUTs, GUsortheealibrator(16).In one embodiment, the scanner (10) eludes an array of antenna peobes (101) whieh transmit and detect wireless signals, an RF switch (102) con- nected fo an RF inputoutput port (108), a receiver (104 for receiving signals detected by the array of antenna probes (01), aad a data contol module (108) connected to the ‘computer (18) by USB interlace. The antenna probes (101) ‘may radiate @ wireless signal as generated by the computer (18) or By the test module (Ad). The seanner (10) may be ‘enclosed in a shield box or shield room (11) impervious to ‘electromagnetic radiation, buta shield box o shield room is, not necessary if, for example, external electromagnetic raia- tion levels are sufficiently low as to not affect any testing results In one embodiment, the scanner (10) i a near-field scanner (10), such as, by way of non-limiting example, an RF xpert™ scanner plate (Emscan Corp, Calgary, Alberta) or that described in Applicant'sUS, Pa. No. 7,672,640, entitled “Multichannel Absoeberless Near Field Measurement Sys- tem and co-pending application number 2007/0288322, the ‘entire contents of which ae incorporated herein by reference, where permite. The inpavoutput module (12) sets as an jnterfce for con= “ducted signals between the test module (14) and the scaaner (10) and between thetest module (14) andthe calibrator (16). Jn one embodiment, ax showa in FIGS. 1A and 1B, these ‘conducted signals retransmitted by way of eosxia cables #2 ‘and 3 and SMA connectors between fest module (14) and ‘npuvoutput module (12), and a cosxial enble #1 and SMA ‘connector between the tes module (14) and the calibrator (16). Cables #1, #2 and #3 can be made of one cableor several ‘cables connevted in series. The inpuvoutput module (12) preferably comprises one or more low noise, low distonion power amplifiers (AL) vo thatthe scanner (10) or te calibra tor (16), ean emit wireless signals at levels comparable to those transmitted by a DUT (as will be discussed below), ‘The test module (14) comprises signal generator to gen- ‘erate conducted signals and a signal analyzer to receive con- ‘ducted signal. The test module (14) s operatively eonnceted ‘wa computer (15) viaa standard USB. The test module (14) 0 o 6 nay comprise a device such as, by way of non-limiting example, a LitePoint 1Q2010 tester (LitePoint Corpors- ‘ion, CA, USA) having a veetor signal generator (VSG) for the signal generator and a vector signal analyzer (VSA) for the signal analyzer. typical VSA analyzes the physical layer integrity ofa signal by parameters sich as power level error vector magnitude EVM), occupied bandwidth (OBW),spec- tral mask, residual center frequency leakage, scarier, f= quency offset and similar parameters known to those skilled inthe art “The computer (15) has a memory for storing calibration ‘and testing software, and calibration signal sept, and fur thee has a processor to execute the ealibetion and testing software. The computer (15) is operatively connected to the VSG, the VSA, the seanner (10), and may be further con- ected to the calibrator (16) by the USB interfaces. The calibrator (16) may emnlate a GU in ansmit-mode by ‘eansmitting wireless signals generated by the VSG, under the iretion ofthe computer (18), the seanner (10) for eon- ‘ducted transmission o the VSA. Aliematvely, the calibrator (16) may emulatea GU inreceive-modeby receiving wireless signals rom transmitted by scanner (10), whichare generated the VSG, under the direction the computer (18), and con- ducting them to The VSA. The calibrator (16) in conjunction ‘with the system can (within the technical Timits of the com- ponents) be used to emulate any type DUT type or GU of any standard (¢ “good”, “bad”, “ust ood enough”, or “just bad enough”, et) because the signals w be tausmitted or received by the calibrator (16) are generated by the VSG under the directionof the computer (18) andthe signal param- cers may be programmed at will ofthe scr. FIG. 3A shows a schematic of one embodiment of the calibrator (16). The calibrator (16) compeises a calibrator ‘antenna (160) which can be condvetively connected to the Jnpuoutput module (12) via post PA via 8 printed cireit board. The calibrator antenna (160) cransmits and receives ‘wireless signals over different frequencies. Por example, the Froquencies may comprise WLAN 24 andl 5 GHz bans, and 802.116, g,a and n, with 20 Milz and 40 Mlz bandwidth, ln ‘one embodiment, the calibeator antenna (160) i a dual band fntenna (160). The dal-hand antenna (160) is preferably a ‘alaneed antenna, which s ess susceptible to close proximity around plane, components, and pickup noise, and is more ‘omni-directional, than a single-bod ates. The calibrator (16) may Turther comprise port P6 switch SW6, USB inter- ‘ace (164), calibrator storage (166) and indicator (168), Port P6 may selectively be connected to or disconnected from the ‘input/output module (12) via port PS®, Under the direction of the computer (15), the USB interfice (164) selectively ‘witches switch SW6 1 conductively connect either thecal brator antenna (160) or port P6 o port Pd. The USB interface (164) also controls indieator (168) t show the connection status of the calibrator (eg. whether port P6 is connected 10 port PS*) andthe signal transmission satus ofthe calibrator (16) (eg. whether the calibrator (16)is transmitting orreceiv- ‘nga wireless signa). [none embodiment, the indicator (168) isa multi-colored LED. The storage (166) may be used 10 store a set of software instructions to contro! tests, signal parameters for calibrating the system, anda unique identifier to selet the righ calibration fle and avoid confusion. FIG, 3B shows one embodiment of the calibrator (16) physically connected to the inputiowtput module (12) via ‘caial cable P The calibrator may’ comprise a plastic case tenelosing the calibrator antenna (16), which has a ‘approximately equal to that ofa typieal cellular telephone. ‘The location of the antenna (16) within the case may be sked external on the case to Facilitate proper placement