WO2010057390A1

WO2010057390A1 - Method and device for testing reception sensitivity of load modulation signal

Info

Publication number: WO2010057390A1
Application number: PCT/CN2009/073469
Authority: WO
Inventors: 郭寰
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2008-11-24
Filing date: 2009-08-24
Publication date: 2010-05-27
Also published as: CN101741478B; CN101741478A

Abstract

A method and device for testing the reception sensitivity of load modulation signal are disclosed in the present invention. The method includes that: a reference board of a testing device receives request signal in a passive communications mode transmitted by a testing initial part, and outputs the request signal to a signal generator connected with the reference board; the reference board receives response signal in a load modulation mode input by the signal generator, and transmits load modulation signal to the testing initial part with the smallest signal amplitude on the intensity of the work magnetic field selected presently; after the testing initial part receives the load modulation signal, interacts with the reference board and finishes once communication, the testing initial part generates prompt tone and/or displays the information of communication result. By applying the invention, the sensitivity of the load modulation signal received by the testing initial part can be tested, and the problem can be solved that in the relevant technique it can’t be effectively judged whether the initial part for testing Near Field Communication (NFC) receives the load modulation signal with the smallest amplitude from an object part.

Description

Load modulation signal receiving sensitivity

Test method and equipment

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a test method and apparatus for receiving modulation signal reception sensitivity. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Near Field Communication (NFC) is a short-to-large wireless communication technology that combines radio frequency identification technology and interconnection technology. Near-field communication enables communication between contactless card readers and contactless smart cards, as well as point-to-point communication. The operating frequency is 13.56 MHz, and the maximum working distance is 10 cm. At present, multiple functions such as card emulation, reader emulation, and point-to-point communication can be realized by integrating an NFC chip on the terminal. This terminal integrated with an NFC chip is called an NFC terminal. In the development and production of NFC terminals, in addition to testing the general functions and performance of the terminal, it is also necessary to test its NFC RF interface characteristics, such as the initial transmit magnetic field strength and modulation waveform test, the initial side (for example) , contactless reader) Receive test of a modulated signal from a target (for example, a contactless smart card). At present, in the passive communication mode, in the method of testing the sensitivity of the initial load receiving modulation signal, a method is needed to determine whether the device under test (Device Under Test, called DUT) receives the target from the target. The minimum amplitude of the load modulation signal. However, in the related art, it is not possible to efficiently judge the load modulation signal from the target side that the initial party has received. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the problem in the related art that an initiator that cannot test NFC receives a sensitivity of a load modulation signal from a target, and for this reason, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved load modulation signal. A test scheme for receiving sensitivity to solve at least one of the above problems in the related art. In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention is achieved by the following technical solutions: According to an aspect of the present invention, a test method for load modulation signal receiving sensitivity is provided. A test method for receiving modulation signal receiving sensitivity according to the present invention includes: a reference board of a test device receives a request signal sent by a test initiator in a passive communication mode, and outputs a request signal to a signal generator connected to a reference board; The board receives a response signal input by the signal generator in a load modulation manner, and sends a load modulation signal to the test initiator at a minimum signal amplitude of the currently selected working magnetic field strength; the test initiator receives the load modulation signal, and the reference board After a communication is completed, a message is sounded and/or the result of the communication is displayed. Preferably, before the test device receives the request signal, the method further comprises: adjusting the reference plate under the currently selected working magnetic field strength, so that the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal sent by the reference plate to the test initiator is a minimum signal amplitude. Preferably, after adjusting the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal sent by the reference board, the method further comprises: setting the reference board at a predetermined position, wherein the predetermined position is: testing the magnetic field strength of the signal sent by the initial party to the currently selected work The location of the magnetic field strength. Preferably, adjusting the reference signal such that the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal sent to the test initiator is a minimum signal amplitude comprises: transmitting a request signal to the reference board at the currently selected working magnetic field strength; and the measurement signal generator responding to the request signal The signal amplitude of the load modulation signal sent by the reference board; the adjustable device of the reference board is adjusted so that the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal sent is the minimum signal amplitude. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a test apparatus for load modulation signal reception sensitivity. A test apparatus for receiving modulation signal receiving sensitivity according to the present invention includes: a reference board and a signal generator, wherein a reference board is configured to receive a request signal from a test initiator, and output the request signal to the signal generator, and to present The minimum signal amplitude at the selected working magnetic field strength sends the load modulation signal from the signal generator to the test initiator; the signal generator is connected to the reference board for responding to the request signal, and transmitting the response signal to the load modulation Reference board. Preferably, the reference board includes: a sensing module and a filtering/detecting module, wherein the sensing module comprises: a receiving submodule, configured to receive a request signal sent by the test initiator, and the request signal The output is sent to the filter/detection module; the transmit submodule is configured to send the signal input by the filter/detection module to the test initiator; the filter/detection module includes: a conversion submodule for converting the request signal from the receiving submodule A signal that can be recognized by the signal generator, and outputs the converted signal to the signal generator, or converts the signal from the signal generator into a signal that can be recognized by the test initiator, and outputs the converted signal to Send submodule. Preferably, the filtering/detecting module includes: an adjustable sub-module for adjusting a signal amplitude of a signal input to the sensing module. With the above technical solution of the present invention, by adjusting the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal outputted by the reference board to a minimum value, the test device can transmit a load modulation signal with a minimum signal amplitude to the test initiator, and receive the test by the initial party. The load modulates the signal and gives a prompt after completing the entire communication process, and can test the sensitivity of the test initial receiving the load modulation signal, which can solve the problem in the related art that cannot be effectively judged as the initial party of the test NFC: The problem of the minimum amplitude of the load modulation signal. Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the <RTI BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are set to illustrate,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a structural block diagram of a test apparatus for load modulation signal receiving sensitivity according to an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a preferred embodiment of a reference board of a test apparatus for load modulation signal receiving sensitivity according to an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of a specific implementation of a reference board in a test apparatus according to an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a schematic structural block diagram of a PCB calibration apparatus for calibrating a reference board as shown in FIG. 2; Figure 5 is a side view of the PCB calibration apparatus shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a flow chart of a test method for load modulation signal reception sensitivity according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention; Figure 7 is a load modulation using an embodiment of the method according to the present invention. A schematic diagram of a test method for signal reception sensitivity; FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a specific implementation of a test method for load modulation signal reception sensitivity according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention proposes a test method and apparatus for receiving sensitivity of a load modulated signal, in view of the sensitivity problem of the load-modulating signal received from the target side by the initiator that cannot test the NFC existing in the related art. Adjusting the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal outputted by the reference board to a minimum value enables the test equipment to transmit a load modulation signal with a minimum signal amplitude to the device under test (Device Under Test) After receiving the load modulation signal and completing a complete communication with the reference board, the measuring device gives a prompt message and/or a communication result prompting information, and can determine whether the device under test can receive the current magnetic field strength. The minimum amplitude of the load modulation signal, that is, whether the receiving sensitivity is acceptable. It should be noted that, if not conflicting, the embodiments of the present invention and the various features in the embodiments may be combined with each other, and are all within the protection scope of the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention are described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings. Apparatus Embodiment According to an embodiment of the present invention, a test apparatus for receiving modulation signal reception sensitivity is provided. 1 shows the structure of a test apparatus for load modulation signal reception sensitivity according to an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a test apparatus for receiving modulation signal reception sensitivity according to an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention includes a reference board 1 and a signal generator 3. The functions of the above reference board 1 and signal generator 3 will be described in detail below. As shown in FIG. 1, the reference board 1 is for receiving a request signal from the test initiator, and outputs the request signal to the signal generator 3, and will output the signal generator from the minimum signal amplitude at the currently selected working magnetic field strength. The load modulation signal of 3 is sent to the test initiator; the signal generator 3 is connected to the reference board 1 for responding to the request signal and transmitting the response signal to the reference board 1 in a load modulation manner. By means of the test device provided by the embodiment, by setting the test device including the reference plate and the signal generator, the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal outputted by the reference plate is adjusted to a minimum value, so that the test device can send the minimum signal to the test initiator. The amplitude of the load modulation signal, and in the subsequent test process, after completing a complete communication between the test initiator and the reference board, the test initiator gives a hint of the communication result, and can determine whether the test initiator has received The smallest amplitude of the load modulation signal. The structure and function of the above reference board 1 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 2, wherein Fig. 2 shows a preferred structure of a reference board of a test apparatus for load modulation signal receiving sensitivity according to an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the reference board 1 includes: a sensing module 11 and a filtering/detecting module 13. The sensing module 11 can be configured to receive a request signal sent by the test initiator, input the request signal to the filtering/detecting module 13, and send the signal input by the filtering/detecting module 13 to the test initiator; the filtering/detecting module 13. Connected to the sensing module 11 for converting the signal into a signal that can be recognized by the signal generator 3 or the test initiator, and outputting the converted signal to the signal generator 3 or the sensing module 11. Preferably, the sensing module 11 may include: a receiving submodule and a transmitting submodule (not shown), wherein the receiving submodule is configured to receive a request signal sent by the test initiator, and input the request signal into the filtering/detecting module; A module for transmitting a signal input by the filter/detection module to the test initiator. The filtering/detecting module 13 may include: a conversion sub-module (not shown) for converting a request signal from the receiving sub-module into a signal recognizable by the signal generator 3, and outputting the converted signal to the signal generation Or, the signal from the signal generator 3 is converted into a signal that can be recognized by the test initiator, and the converted signal is output to the transmitting sub-module. Preferably, the filtering/detecting module 13 may further include an adjustable device (not shown), which may be connected to the sensing module 11 and the filtering/detecting module 13 for adjusting the input sensing module 11 The signal amplitude of the signal. 3 shows a preferred circuit schematic structure of a specific implementation of a reference board in a test apparatus according to an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the reference board 1 includes a coil (ie, LRefcil shown in FIG. 3). (Preferably, the coil may implement a function of receiving or transmitting a signal, that is, the coil may correspond to a receiving submodule and a transmitting submodule in the sensing module 11), an adjustable device (preferably, the adjustable device may correspond to An adjustable sub-module in the filtering/detecting module 13), and as a filtering/detecting device (preferably, the device may correspond to a conversion sub-module in the filtering/detecting module 13), wherein the adjustable device may include R1, C2 , Rmodl, Rmod2, filtering / detection devices include Dl, D2, D3, D4, C3, R6, C4, D5, R3, R4, R2, R5, Nl, N2 (where D represents a triode, R represents a resistance, C represents The capacitor, N represents the NAND gate); and, the coil, the adjustable device, and the filter/detection device are connected by a conductor. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, the signal generator 3 can be connected to the filtering/detecting module 13. In a specific implementation process, before using the test apparatus provided in this embodiment, the reference board 1 described above is preferably adjusted such that the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal transmitted through the signal is at a minimum. Figures 4 and 5 show the relevant architecture for adjusting the reference board 1. Figure 4 shows a printed circuit board (Printed Circuit) for calibrating the reference board shown in Figure 2.

Board, the tube is called PCB) The schematic structure of the calibration device, FIG. 5 shows a side view of the PCB calibration device shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 4, the device includes: a magnetic field generating antenna 2, a calibration coil 6, and a detection The coil a, the detection coil b, the carrier cancellation circuit 8 (preferably, the carrier cancellation circuit 8 may include a plurality of resistors and/or adjustable resistors), the probe 10. As shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the magnetic field generating antenna 2 is connected to a signal generator, and the magnetic field generating antenna 2 is for transmitting a signal from the signal generator; the detecting coil a and the detecting coil b are respectively located at the magnetic field generating antenna 2 The two sides of the front view are perpendicular to each other, and the large deviation of the detecting coil a and the magnetic field generating antenna 2 is equal to the large distance of the detecting coil b and the magnetic field generating antenna 2, and the detecting coil a and the detecting coil b are used to induce the magnetic field generating antenna 2 to emit The signal, the detecting coil a and the detecting coil b may be connected by conductors of the same length such as a twisted pair or a coaxial cable; the carrier eliminating circuit 8 is located at one end of the magnetic field balance point of the detecting coil a and the detecting coil b, The carrier cancellation circuit 8 can be used to eliminate the carrier signal generated by the detection coil a and the detection coil b due to the induced signal; the probe 10 is located on a connection path between the two ends of the magnetic field balance point, the probe 10 is capable of conducting current, and Connected to a test instrument that displays information about the load modulation signal fed back by reference board 1, for example, a load modulated signal The amplitude of the calibration coil 6 and the reference plate 1 can be located at the plane of the detection coil a and the detection coil b, respectively, and the calibration coil 6 can be combined with a test instrument (it is required that the test instrument here can be compared with the above Needle 10 connection test The instrument, which may also be another test instrument, is connected, the calibration coil 6 is used to induce the magnetic field strength of the signal generated by the magnetic field generating antenna 2, and the test instrument is used to display the magnetic field strength of the signal generated by the magnetic field generating antenna 2. Specifically, the reference plate 1 can be placed at the plane of the detecting coil a (ie, the position indicated by the DUT as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5), and the calibration coil 6 is placed at the plane of the detecting coil b when the signal When the generator 4 sends a request signal through the magnetic field generating antenna 2, the calibration coil 6 transmits the sensed request signal to a test instrument connected thereto, and the test instrument records the magnetic field strength of the request signal, for example, the magnetic field strength can be recorded as The magnetic field strength H; and, when the reference board 1 transmits the load modulation signal in response to the request signal, the probe 10 transmits the received load modulation signal to a test instrument connected thereto, and the test instrument can display the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal. Adjusting the adjustable device on the reference board 1 (refer to the adjustable device shown in FIG. 3), so that the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal sent by the reference board 1 is the minimum signal amplitude under the current magnetic field strength. In this way, the reference board 1 can be caused to transmit a load modulated signal of minimum signal amplitude. The load modulation signal of the minimum signal amplitude can be transmitted to the test initiator by means of the apparatus as shown in FIG. Method Embodiments According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided a method of testing the sensitivity of a received load modulated signal. 6 shows a flow of a test method for load modulation signal reception sensitivity in accordance with an embodiment of the method of the present invention. It should be noted that the steps shown in the flowchart of the accompanying drawings may be executed in a computer system such as a set of computer executable instructions, and, although the logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, The steps shown or described may be performed in an order different than that herein. The process of testing the method of receiving the sensitivity of the load modulated signal in accordance with an embodiment of the method of the present invention is described in detail below. First, the reference board is placed on the PCB calibration device, and the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal sent by the signal generator through the reference plate is adjusted to the minimum signal amplitude at the strength of the magnetic field. Preferably, the reference plate may be a reference plate as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, and the PCB calibration device may be the device as shown in FIG. 4 or 5. Specifically, the process of adjusting the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal sent by the reference board may be packaged. The following steps are included: Step 1: Send a request signal to the reference board under the selected working magnetic field strength; preferably, the request signal may be a signal generated by the signal generator 4 through the magnetic field generating antenna 2 as shown in FIG. 4, The selected working magnetic field strength may be the magnetic field strength of the signal; preferably, the magnetic field strength of the signal may be recorded by the calibration coil 6 as shown in FIG. 4 and the test instrument 12 connected to the calibration coil 6; The magnetic field strength mentioned here may be any working magnetic field strength between 1.5A/m and 7.5A/m; Step 2, the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal sent by the measurement signal generator in response to the request signal through the reference plate Preferably, the operation can be performed by the probe 10 as shown in FIG. 4 and the test instrument 14 connected to the probe 10; Step 3, adjusting the adjustable device of the reference plate to transmit the load modulation signal The signal amplitude is the minimum signal amplitude; preferably, the reference plate as shown in FIG. 2 can be adjusted in the case of observing the waveform of the signal displayed by the test instrument 14 as shown in FIG. The adjustable device is used to complete the operation, and the adjustable device can be an adjustable device as shown in FIG. Then, the reference plate is placed at a position where the magnetic field strength of the signal from the test initial is the selected working magnetic field strength; and the selected working magnetic field strength at the point is the selected working magnetic field strength in the above step 1. Preferably, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a test method for receiving modulation signal reception sensitivity according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the magnetic field strength of the reference board at the test initial (ie, DUT) is selected. The position of the working magnetic field strength. Next, steps S602 to S606 shown in FIG. 6 are performed. As shown in FIG. 6, in step S602, the reference board of the test device receives the request signal sent by the test initiator in the passive communication mode, and outputs the request signal to the signal generator connected to the reference board; Step S604, the reference board receives The signal generator inputs the response signal in a load modulation manner, and sends the load modulation signal to the test initiator at the minimum signal amplitude of the currently selected working magnetic field strength; Step S606, the test initial party receives the load modulation signal, and the reference After the board interacts with each other to complete a communication, a tone is sounded and/or the result of the communication is displayed. By means of the method provided by the embodiment, the signal of the load modulation signal outputted by the reference board The amplitude is adjusted to the minimum value of the magnetic field strength, which enables the test equipment to send a load modulation signal with the minimum signal amplitude to the test initiator, and the test initial can provide a prompt after communication with the reference board, and can test the initial test. The side receives the sensitivity of the load modulation signal; and, compared to the load modulation signal analysis instrument connected to the test receiver, and uses the instrument to analyze and determine whether the received load modulation signal is the minimum amplitude load modulation signal, this embodiment provides The method of the pair can improve the efficiency of the test. Based on the above description, FIG. 8 shows a flow of a specific implementation of a test method for load modulation signal receiving sensitivity according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention. In the scenario of the specific implementation, the DUT of the near field communication is used as a test initiator, and the test device As a target, the DUT tests the sensitivity of the DUT to receive the load modulation signal when communicating with the test equipment in a passive communication mode at a rate of 106 kbit/s. As shown in FIG. 8, the flow includes the following processing. Step 802, setting up a test environment for the calibration reference board (ie, the above-mentioned PCB test apparatus, preferably, the apparatus may be the apparatus as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5); the function of the test environment and the above-mentioned PCB test apparatus The function is similar, and will not be described here; Step 804, calibration reference board. Place the reference board as shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3 in the position of the DUT of the device shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5; the control signal generator in Figure 4 sends a request command to the reference board, using the calibration connected to the test instrument The magnetic field strength of the coil measurement request command is recorded as the magnetic field strength H; the load modulation signal fed back by the signal generator through the reference plate is measured by a probe connected to the test instrument; the adjustable resistance on the reference plate is adjusted to make the load modulation signal The amplitude is the minimum value required when the magnetic field strength is H; Step 806, the DUT as the test initiator transmits a signal and generates a magnetic field strength, and the magnetic field strength is measured, and the test equipment is placed at a position where the magnetic field strength of the signal sent by the DUT is H. Step 808: The DUT initiates a passive communication mode request signal with a rate of 106 kbit/s to the reference board, and the reference board of the test device receives the request signal and transmits the signal to the signal generator of the test device, and the signal generator passes The reference board feeds back the load modulation signal of the minimum signal amplitude to the DUT; step 808 is equivalent to steps S602 and S604 in FIG. 6; step 810, DUT is connected Receiving the load modulation signal sent by the test device, and after completing communication with the reference board, issuing a prompt tone and/or displaying information of the communication result, step 810 is equivalent to step S606 in FIG. Through the processing shown in FIG. 8, the sensitivity of the test initial receiving the load modulation signal can be tested. In summary, with the technical solution provided by the present invention, by adjusting the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal outputted by the reference board to a minimum value, the test device can send the load modulation signal of the most signal amplitude to the test initiator, and After the test initial party receives the load modulation signal and completes the communication with the reference board, the communication result is given, and it can be determined whether the test initial party has received the minimum amplitude load modulation signal, thereby solving the problem that the NFC cannot be tested in the related art. The initiator receives the sensitivity problem of the load modulation signal from the target, and can achieve the purpose of improving the test efficiency. The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claim

A test method for receiving sensitivity of a load modulated signal, comprising:

The reference board of the test device receives a request signal sent by the test initiator in a passive communication mode, and outputs the request signal to a signal generator connected to the reference board; the reference board receives the signal generator to Transmitting a response signal in a manner of load modulation, and transmitting the load modulation signal to the test initiator with a minimum signal amplitude at a currently selected working magnetic field strength;

The test initiator receives the load modulation signal and performs a communication with the reference board to complete a communication, and emits a prompt tone and/or displays result information of the communication.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein before the testing device receives the request signal, the method further comprises:

The reference plate is adjusted at the currently selected working magnetic field strength such that the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal sent by the reference plate to the test initiator is the minimum signal amplitude.

The method according to claim 2, wherein after adjusting the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal sent by the reference board, the method further includes:

The reference plate is disposed at a predetermined position, wherein the predetermined position is: a magnetic field strength of a signal sent by the test initial is a position of the currently selected working magnetic field strength.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the adjusting the reference signal such that the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal sent to the test initiator is a minimum signal amplitude comprises: Sending a request signal to the reference board under the selected working magnetic field strength; measuring a signal amplitude of the load modulation signal sent by the signal generator in response to the request signal through the reference board;

Adjusting the adjustable device of the reference plate such that the signal amplitude of the load modulation signal transmitted is the minimum signal amplitude.

A test device for receiving sensitivity of a load modulation signal, comprising: a reference plate and a signal generator, wherein

The reference board, configured to receive a request signal from a test initiator, and output the request signal to the signal generator, and to output the signal generator from a minimum signal amplitude at a currently selected working magnetic field strength The load modulation signal is sent to the test initiator; the signal generator is connected to the reference board, and is configured to send a response signal to the reference board in a load modulation manner in response to the request signal.

The test device according to claim 5, wherein the reference board comprises: a sensing module and a filtering/detecting module, wherein

The sensing module includes:

a receiving submodule, configured to receive the request signal sent by the test initiator, and output the request signal to the filtering/detecting module; and send a submodule, the signal used to input the filtering/detecting module Sending to the filtering/detecting module, including:

a conversion submodule, configured to convert the request signal from the receiving submodule into a signal that can be recognized by the signal generator, and output the converted signal to the signal generator, or A signal from the signal generator is converted into a signal that can be recognized by the test initiator, and the converted signal is output to the transmitting sub-module.

7. The test apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the filtering/detecting module comprises: an adjustable sub-module for adjusting a signal amplitude of the signal input to the sensing module.