Method and apparatus for testing mobile communication device employing frequency hopping

Abstract

A method and apparatus for testing mobile communication devices utilize the device's frequency hopping capabilities to reduce the time required to measure operational parameters of the device at frequencies across an operational frequency band. A device tester first defines a hopping list of test frequency channels and transmits the hopping list and command signals to the mobile communication device for testing a set of operational parameters of the device at the test frequencies. The mobile communication device then measures all of the parameters at all of the frequencies by repeatedly sequentially hopping through the test frequencies in accordance with the hopping list. Since the period between frequency hops is shorter than the time required to complete measurement of a parameter at a particular frequency, each parameter measurement at each test frequency is obtained by combining measurement results of plural bursts at each test frequency.

We claim:  
     
         1 . Method for operating a telecommunicator testing device for measurements of a telecommunicator for operation with at least one network comprising frequencies or frequency channels, wherein measurement values characteristic for said telecommunicator under test are determined for at least two of said frequencies or frequency channels wherein said measurement values are assigned to said frequency channels and wherein the information regarding the control of the measurement is defined at the beginning of the measurement and is transmitted from said telecommunicator testing device to said telecommunicator.  
     
     
         2 . Method according to    claim 1   , wherein said telecommunicator is a mobile or cellular phone.  
     
     
         3 . Method according to    claim 2   , wherein said measurement values are sampled in the respective frequency channels without intermittent protocol exchanges between said telecommunicator testing device and said telecommunicator.  
     
     
         4 . Method according to    claim 3   , wherein the entire information relating to the timing of said measurement is stored in said telecommunicator during said measurement and is transmitted from said telecommunicator testing device to said telecommunicator before the start of the testing.  
     
     
         5 . Method according to    claim 4   , wherein said information comprises the kind, the number, the order and the test times of said frequencies or frequency channels to be sampled, and wherein said information also comprises the power level for transmission.  
     
     
         6 . Method according to    claim 5   , wherein said telecommunicator is adapted for frequency hopping and wherein the control of said measurement is carried out according to a pre-defined test frequency list in accordance with said frequency hopping technique.  
     
     
         7 . Method according to    claim 6   , wherein said defined frequency channels are cyclically sampled.  
     
     
         8 . Method according to    claim 6   , wherein said pre-defined frequency channels are continuously sampled during said measurements in a single measurement set.  
     
     
         9 . Method according to    claim 6   , wherein at the beginning of the measurement the measurement time necessary for sampling of the measurement values is pre-defined.  
     
     
         10 . Method according to    claim 6   , wherein said characteristic measurement values comprise the sensitivity parameter BER (bit error rate).  
     
     
         11 . Method for adjusting and/or trimming of a telecommunicator intended for operation in at least one network comprising frequencies or frequency channels using a telecommunicator testing device, wherein measurement values characteristic for said telecommunicator under test are determined in at least two frequencies or frequency channels wherein said telecommunicator is adapted for a frequency hopping technique, and wherein an on-line display of said measurement values is achieved by controlling the measurement according to a pre-defined test frequency list according to the frequency hopping technique.  
     
     
         12 . Method according to    claim 11   , wherein said display of several measurement values assigned to different frequencies is simultaneously achieved on a screen.  
     
     
         13 . Telecommunicator testing device for measurements of a telecommunicator for operation with at least one network comprising frequencies or frequency channels, wherein measurement values characteristic for said telecommunicator under test are determined for at least two of said frequencies or frequency channels wherein said measurement values are assigned to said frequency channels and wherein the information regarding the control of the measurement is defined at the beginning of the measurement and is transmitted form said telecommunicator testing device to said telecommunicator.  
     
     
         14 . Telecommunicator testing device according to    claim 13   , comprising a signal generator for the generation of test signals and measurement value sensors for sampling of measurement values characteristic for the telecommunicator under test, wherein for each frequency channel a memory field of said telecommunicator testing device respectively assigned to said frequency channel is provided for storing the sampled measurement values.  
     
     
         15 . Telecommunicator testing device for measurements of a telecommunicator for operation with at least one network comprising frequencies or frequency channels, wherein measurement values characteristic for said telecommunicator under test are determined in at least two frequencies or frequency channels wherein said telecommunicator is adapted for a frequency hopping technique, and wherein an on-line display of said measurement values is achieved by controlling the measurement according to a pre-defined test frequency list according to the frequency hopping technique.  
     
     
         16 . Use of a frequency hopping mode for testing telecommunicators for sampling of data in at least one frequency channel or frequency in order to sense at least one characteristic measurement value in said frequency channel or frequency.  
     
     
         17 . Method according to    claim 16   , wherein said telecommunicators are mobile phones.  
     
     
         18 . Method according to    claim 17   , wherein said characteristic measurement values are assigned to said respective frequency channels.