Radio access point testing method and testing apparatus

Abstract

The normality verification and radio characteristics test of a radio communication system are executed. RF-SWs (radio-frequency coaxial switches) change-over the paths of signals which are transmitted to and received from an access terminal function portion included in an access point. RF-SWs connect the access terminal function portion 122 with a desired one of radio analog portions. A test function controller controls the changeover operations of the RF-SWs in accordance with information designated by a maintenance apparatus (OMC). An access point controller controls in accordance with received test sort information, one or more of (1) an antenna failure test, (2) a receiver failure test, and (3) a transmitter failure.

1 . A radio access point testing apparatus, comprising:
 an access terminal function portion which has a communication function of an access terminal, and which operates for testing a radio access point;   an antenna of one loop or antennas of two loops for transmitting a radio signal to and receiving a radio signal from the access terminal;   radio analog portions of respective sectors, each of which is connected with said access terminal function portion;   said each radio analog portion including:   (a) a radio reception part of one loop or radio reception parts of two loops which receives/receive forward link signals transmitted from said access terminal function portion and the access terminal,   (b) a radio transmission part which transmits reverse link signals that are transmitted to said access terminal function portion and the access terminal,   (c) a first switch for changing-over a path of the signals that are transmitted and received between said access terminal function portion and said radio transmission part and/or between said access terminal function portion and said radio reception part, to be either of a first path passing through the antenna, and, a second path not passing through the antenna, and   (d) a directional coupler which connects the antenna, said first switch, said radio transmission part and/or said radio reception part to one another;   a signal processing portion which modulates and demodulates the signals;   a second switch for connecting said access terminal function portion with said radio analog portion of a desired one of the sectors and/or a desired one of the loops;   a test function controller which changes-over said second switch in accordance with identification information of the sector and/or loop to-be-tested, and which changes-over the path of the signals between the first path passing through the antenna and the second path not passing through the antenna by said first switch at a predetermined timing in a case where test sort information indicates an antenna failure test, and which selects the path of the signals to be the second path not passing through the antenna by said first switch in a case where test sort information indicates a receiver failure test and a transmitter failure test; and   an access point controller which receives a test start instruction containing the test sort information, and which controls in accordance with the test sort information (1) the antenna failure test in which a voltage surface wave ratio is evaluated on the basis of transmission power values of said access terminal function portion before and after the changeover of said first switch, (2) the receiver failure test in which a packet error rate is adjusted into a predetermined range, and a reception sensitivity is evaluated based on the transmission power of said access terminal function portion after the adjustment, and (3) the transmitter failure test in which transmission power from said radio analog portion is evaluated on the basis of a reception power value of said access terminal function portion.