HK1218191B - Method and apparatus for throughput characterization - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for throughput characterization

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/821,634, filed May 9, 2013, entitled “Advanced Wireless Communication Systems and Techniques,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the technical field of throughput characterization for mobile devices in a test environment.

Background Art

The background description provided here is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the present disclosure. No admission is made, expressly or impliedly, that the work of the presently named inventors described to the extent so described in this Background section, and any aspects of this description not otherwise claimed as prior art at the time of filing, are prior art to the present disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the methods described in this section are not prior art to the claims in the present disclosure and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Accurately characterizing the downlink performance of multi-antenna devices commonly used in wireless communications based on the current Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard is challenging. A particular issue is the definition of the figure of merit and methods for its rapid evaluation. Current methods for evaluating the figure of merit involve an exhaustive search of the device under test (DUT) throughput performance as a function of transmitted signal strength. This approach can result in relatively long measurement times and produce an unrealistic representation of the DUT's actual performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be more readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To facilitate this description, similar reference numerals designate similar structural elements. In the figures of the accompanying drawings, the embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation.

FIG1 schematically illustrates a high-level example of a network including a user equipment (UE) and a base station emulator (BSE) according to various embodiments.

FIG2 illustrates a high-level example of a testing environment, according to various embodiments.

FIG3 illustrates examples of various modulation and coding scheme (MCS) curves according to various embodiments.

FIG4 illustrates an example of characterizing the throughput of a UE according to various embodiments.

FIG5 illustrates an example process for characterizing the throughput of a UE in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG6 illustrates an alternative example of characterizing the throughput of a UE according to various embodiments.

FIG7 illustrates an alternative example process for characterizing the throughput of a UE in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG8 illustrates an example process for characterizing the throughput of a UE in different physical configurations in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG9 schematically illustrates an example system that can be used to practice various embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, an apparatus, method, and storage medium may be described for characterizing the throughput of a transmission of a user equipment (UE) that is transmitted using a modulation and coding scheme (MCS). Specifically, in an embodiment, the throughput of the UE may be characterized using an interpolation of the UE throughput for one or more discrete signal strength values.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and embodiments may be practiced in the drawings shown in a pictorial manner. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized or structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be considered limiting.

The various operations may be described sequentially as multiple discrete actions or operations in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the claimed subject matter. However, the order of description should be viewed as implying that the operations are not necessarily order-dependent. Specifically, the operations may not be performed in the order presented. The described operations may be performed in an order different from that of the described embodiments. Various additional operations may be performed, and/or the described operations may be omitted in other embodiments.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the phrases "A and/or B" and "A or B" mean (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of this disclosure, the phrases "A, B and/or C" mean (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).

The phrases "in (one) embodiment" or "in (multiple) embodiments" may be used in the description, each of which refers to one or more of the same or different embodiments. In addition, the terms "including," "comprising," "having," and the like as used with reference to the embodiments of the present disclosure are synonymous.

FIG1 schematically illustrates an example wireless network test environment 100 (hereinafter referred to as "network 100"), according to various embodiments. Network 100 may include a device under test (DUT), such as a UE 110, coupled to a base station setup (BSE) 105. In some embodiments, network 100 may be a test environment for an access network of a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, such as the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). In these embodiments, BSE 105 may be configured to emulate a 3GPP-defined eNodeB (eNB, also referred to as an evolved NodeB), which is configured to wirelessly communicate with UE 110 using a wireless protocol, such as the 3GPP LTE wireless protocol.

As shown in FIG1 , UE 110 may include a transceiver module 122, which may also be referred to as a multi-mode transceiver chip. Transceiver module 122 may be configured to transmit and receive wireless signals. Specifically, transceiver module 122 may be coupled to one or more of multiple antennas 125 of UE 110 for wireless communication with other components of network 100 (e.g., BSE 105 or another UE). Antenna 125 may be powered by a power amplifier 130, which may be a component of transceiver module 122 or coupled to transceiver module 122 and generally coupled between transceiver module 122 and antenna 125 as shown in FIG1 . In one embodiment, power amplifier 130 may provide energy for all transmissions on antenna 125. In other embodiments, multiple power amplifiers may be present on UE 110. The use of multiple antennas 125 may allow UE 110 to employ transmit diversity techniques such as Spatial Orthogonal Resource Transmit Diversity (SORTD), Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), or Full Dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO).

In some embodiments, transceiver module 122 may include communication module 120, which may be referred to as a broadband module. Communication module 120 may include both transmitter circuitry 145, configured to cause antenna 125 to transmit one or more signals from UE 110, and receiver circuitry 150, configured to cause antenna 125 to receive one or more signals at UE 110. In other embodiments, communication module 120 may be implemented in separate chips or modules, e.g., one chip including receiver circuitry 150 and another chip including transmitter circuitry 145. In some embodiments, the signal may be a cellular signal transmitted to or received from a 3GPP eNB emulated by BSE 105.

Similar to UE 110, BSE 105 may include a transceiver module 135. Transceiver module 135 may also be coupled to one or more of multiple antennas 140 of BSE 105 for wireless communication with other components of network 100 (e.g., UE 110). Antenna 140 may be powered by a power amplifier 160, which may be a component of transceiver module 135 or a separate component within BSE 105, typically located between transceiver module 135 and antenna 140 as shown in FIG1 . In one embodiment, power amplifier 160 may provide energy for all transmissions on antenna 140. In other embodiments, multiple power amplifiers may be present on BSE 105. The use of multiple antennas 140 may allow BSE 105 to employ transmit diversity techniques such as SORTD, MIM, or FD-MIMO. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 135 may include both a transmitter circuit 165 configured to cause the antenna 140 to transmit one or more signals from the BSE 105 and a receiver circuit 170 configured to cause the antenna 140 to receive one or more signals at the BSE 105. In other embodiments, the transceiver module 135 may be replaced by separate transmitter circuit 165 and receiver circuit 170 (not shown). In some embodiments, although not shown, the transceiver module 135 may include a communication module, such as the communication module 120, that includes the receiver circuit 170 and the transmitter circuit 165. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 135 may be coupled to a processor 175 configured to analyze signals received by the BSE 105 from the UE 110, as described in more detail below.

FIG2 illustrates a high-level example of a test environment 200. Specifically, current multiple-input multiple-output over-the-air (MIMO-OTA) throughput measurements may include at least a set of equipment as shown in FIG2 . In this setup, a BSE 210 (similar to BSE 105 in FIG1 ) may measure the performance of a UE 205 (which may be similar to UE 110 in FIG1 ). In some embodiments, BSE 210 may also be referred to as a radio communication tester.

In some embodiments, test environment 200 may be controlled by test automation software that controls various instruments, test setups, and the collection of data related to the throughput of UE 205. Among other things, the test automation software may control the test procedures and methods to be employed by BSE 210. The software may be embedded within an instrument in the setup (e.g., BSE 210), or it may be external to the test instrument and located in an external computer, such as computer 215, that may be coupled to BSE 210. In some embodiments, BSE 210 may be coupled to or otherwise include a channel emulator (not shown) that is configured to replicate realistic conditions in the test environment, such as fading, noise, or special channel conditions. In some embodiments, test environment 200 may include additional equipment, such as a rotary positioner coupled to UE 205, a measurement antenna coupled to BSE 210 or computer 215, or other equipment.

Typically, in digital networks such as LTE networks, eNBs can use radio frequency resources to transmit data to UEs. These radio frequency resources are divided into frames and subframes in the time domain and into resource blocks and subcarriers in the frequency domain. As an example, in the time domain, a radio frame can last approximately 10 milliseconds (ms) and can be composed of 10 subframes, each lasting 1 ms. Similarly, in the frequency domain, a resource block can include multiple subcarriers, such as 12 subcarriers, 24 subcarriers, or some other number of subcarriers.

The transmitted data may be organized into transport blocks that span several resource block pairs. Each transport block may be assigned a forward error correction code rate and a modulation scheme. If the fading conditions or signal strength between the eNB and the UE change, the link adaptation algorithm may utilize feedback provided by the UE to the eNB to modify the modulation and coding scheme (MCS), thereby resulting in increased downlink throughput. Throughput may be the rate of successful transport block deliveries on a communication channel. Specifically, downlink throughput may be the rate of successful transport block deliveries for downlink transmissions from the eNB to the UE. The MCS may relate to one or more parameters of the wireless downlink transmission, such as the data rate, coding rate, modulation type, or the number of spatial streams used in the wireless transmission.

Under these conditions, a UE such as UE 205 may experience multiple transitions between different MCSs, but it should be noted that there may be a limited range of signal strength conditions under which it is desirable for the UE to operate in any single given MCS. Therefore, given the overall fading statistics between an eNB such as eNB 210 and a UE such as UE 205, it is possible to characterize the UE performance per MCS at a single point rather than as an entire curve. Characterizing the UE performance per MCS as a point rather than as a curve can be beneficial, as the entire curve may require an exhaustive search to measure.

Specifically, currently known MCS performance measurements may require a complete characterization of MCS performance under a given set of fading conditions. This characterization requires exhaustive throughput measurements for every signal strength within the measurement range of the MCS curve. Given the accuracy requirements at each measurement point, measurements over this range may require measuring throughput over 20,000 subframes at each point, which may result in a time requirement of 20 seconds per point, as a subframe transmission takes 1 ms in an LTE network. The number of points required to measure the entire MCS curve (with a step size of, for example, 0.5 decibels (dB)) can span a range of 15 to 30 dB (30 to 60 points), which may result in a measurement time of approximately 10 minutes for a single curve. The radiated performance of a UE with a fixed MCS, such as UE 205, can be characterized using multiple test environment conditions, which may exceed 2 to 4 dozen (including 12 physical positions of UE 205 for each environment condition, and 2 to 4 different applicable environment conditions). Therefore, the testing time for a single UE 205 may exceed 8 hours.

The embodiments described herein can reduce the number of measurement points per MCS curve to approximately O(log n) performance. Furthermore, the embodiments described herein can describe the quality factor separately for each environmental condition; these factors can then be averaged across environmental conditions to calculate an aggregate measure of performance.

Figure 3 illustrates examples of various MCS curves. Specifically, each MCS curve can measure downlink throughput as a function of transmission signal strength for a given MCS. In other words, downlink throughput can be a function of signal strength for a transmission from a base station (BSE), such as BSE 210, to a user equipment (UE), such as UE 205. Figure 3 includes multiple MCS curves, including a first MCS curve 300, a second MCS curve 305, a third MCS curve 310, and so on. As can be seen in Figure 3, throughput for a given MCS curve can increase until it begins to reach the maximum throughput for that MCS curve. At this point, as signal strength increases, the UE's throughput can increase when MCSs associated with different MCS curves are used for downlink transmissions. For example, it can be seen that at a given signal strength, downlink transmissions can achieve higher throughput if the MCS represented by MCS curve 305 is used instead of the MCS represented by MCS curve 300. As shown in Figure 3, it is desirable for transmissions to occur only between the two black vertical solid lines using the MCS represented by MCS curve 305. If the signal strength of the downlink transmission drops below the leftmost solid black line, it is more desirable for the downlink transmission to utilize the MCS represented by MCS curve 300. Conversely, if the signal strength rises above the rightmost solid black line, it is more desirable for the downlink transmission to utilize the MCS represented by MCS curve 310.

As the number of MCS combinations increases, the range of signal strength values required to characterize the UE's throughput for transmissions sent using a given MCS decreases because throughput only needs to be measured for MCSs at signal strength values where the MCS is desirable (i.e., for downlink transmissions, only the MCS represented by MCS curve 305 is desirable for signal strengths between the black vertical solid lines, as described above). One simplification of the measurement of a range of values for each MCS curve can be to search for the signal strength value required to achieve a specific percentage of the maximum throughput for transmissions sent using the given MCS. This percentage of maximum throughput can be considered a "threshold" or "target" throughput value. In some embodiments, the target throughput value can be a percentage of the maximum throughput value for a given MCS curve. For example, the target throughput value for MCS curve 305 can be 70% of the maximum throughput value for MCS curve 305, 95% of the maximum throughput value for MCS curve 305, or some other value or percentage. For example, the target throughput for MCS curve 300 can be indicated by point 315. Similarly, the target throughput of MCS curve 305 may be indicated by point 320, and the target throughput of MCS curve 310 may be indicated by point 325. The target throughput for a given MCS may be related to the quality factor of UE 205, as will be described in more detail below.

FIG4 illustrates an example process for identifying signal strength related to a target throughput for a UE (e.g., UE 205) in a test environment (e.g., test environment 200). Specifically, assume that the MCS curve for the MCS being tested is represented by dashed line 400. MCS curve 400 may describe the UE's throughput in response to a transmission from a BSE (e.g., BSE 210) using a given MCS. MCS curve 400 may produce a maximum throughput, indicated by a solid line, labeled "Maximum Throughput." It is desirable to identify the signal strength represented by "Signal_target," which may correspond to the target throughput represented by "TargetThroughout." To identify the Signal_target, the UE's throughput may first be measured at point 405 at a signal strength corresponding to the maximum throughput. The throughput at point 405 may be measured using a relatively small number of subframes (e.g., 1000 subframes). The signal strength may then be gradually reduced and measured, for example, at points 410, 415, and 420. At each measurement, the measured throughput can be compared with the target throughput. If the measured throughput is higher than the target throughput, the signal strength can continue to be reduced.

However, if the measured throughput is lower than the target throughput (e.g., as indicated at point 420), the throughput may be measured at point 420 by increasing the number of subframes (e.g., 20,000 subframes). The signal strength may be increased by an increment that is smaller than the increment used between points 405 and 410, and the measurement may be re-measured using a relatively larger number of subframes. For example, the signal strength may be increased and the throughput measured at point 425 using an increased number of subframes (e.g., 20,000 subframes). Based on the throughput measured at points 420 and 425, a signal strength related to the target throughput (e.g., Signal_target) may then be approximated using data from points 420 and 425. For example, the approximation may be a linear approximation, interpolation, or some other approximation.

FIG5 illustrates an example process for characterizing the throughput of a UE, such as UE 205, for an MCS curve according to the embodiment described in FIG4 . Initially, at 500, the UE's throughput may be measured over a relatively small number of subframes at high signal strength. The high signal strength may, for example, be a signal strength corresponding to the UE's maximum throughput, or the maximum possible signal strength for transmissions from a BSE (e.g., BSE 210). The relatively small number of subframes may, for example, be 1000 subframes. In other embodiments, the relatively small number of subframes may be a different number of subframes.

The signal strength may then be reduced and the UE's throughput may be remeasured at 505 over a relatively small number of subframes. In some embodiments, the signal strength may be reduced according to a given interval (e.g., 1 dB, 0.5 dB, or some other interval). The BSE, or specifically the processor of the BSE (e.g., processor 175 of BSE 105), may analyze at 510 whether the throughput at the reduced signal strength is lower than the target throughput. If the UE's throughput at the reduced signal strength is not lower than the target throughput, processing may return to element 505, where the signal strength is again reduced by the interval value and the UE's throughput is measured over a relatively small number of subframes at the reduced signal strength.

Once the BSE identifies that the throughput is lower than the target throughput, the BSE may remeasure the throughput at the reduced signal strength over a relatively large number of subframes (e.g., 20,000 subframes) at 515. In other embodiments, the relatively large number of subframes may be a different number of subframes that may produce a relatively accurate measurement result for the UE's throughput. In some cases, measurements over a relatively large number of subframes may produce a different measured throughput than measurements over a relatively small number of subframes because measurements over a relatively small number of subframes may not be as accurate as measurements over a relatively large number of subframes. Therefore, even if the throughput measured over a relatively small number of subframes may produce a measured throughput lower than the target throughput, the throughput measured over a relatively large number of subframes may produce a measured throughput higher than the target throughput. Therefore, the BSE or the processor of the BSE may identify at 520 whether the throughput measured over a relatively large number of subframes is higher than the target throughput.

If the throughput measured over a relatively large number of subframes is not higher than the target throughput, then at 525, the signal strength may be increased and the throughput may be measured over a relatively large number of subframes. In some embodiments, the interval for increasing signal strength may be smaller than the interval previously used to decrease signal strength (e.g., the interval between points 405 and 410 in FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments, as noted above, the interval for decreasing signal strength between points 405 and 410 may be 1 dB. In contrast, the interval for increasing signal strength and measuring throughput at 525 may be, for example, 0.5 dB. In other embodiments, other intervals may be used.

The BSE may then measure whether the throughput using the increased signal strength from element 525 is higher than the target throughput at 530. If the throughput measured at 530 is not higher than the target throughput, element 525 may be repeatedly executed. However, if the measured throughput is higher than the target throughput, the BSE, or specifically a processor of the BSE, may interpolate the signal strength associated with the target throughput at 535. This interpolated signal strength may correspond to Signal_target of FIG. 4 .

Returning to element 520, if the throughput measured at 515 is higher than the target throughput, then at 540, the signal strength may be reduced and the throughput may be remeasured over a relatively large number of subframes at the reduced signal strength. Similar to element pattern 525, the reduction in signal strength at 540 may occur over an interval that is smaller than the interval previously used to reduce signal strength (e.g., element 505). Specifically, if the reduction in signal strength at element 505 is 1 dB, the reduction in signal strength at element 540 may be, for example, 0.5 dB. In other embodiments, other intervals may be used.

The BSE may then identify at 545 whether the throughput measured at 540 is below the target throughput. If at 545 the throughput is not below the target throughput, processing may return to element 540. However, if at 545 the throughput is below the target throughput, the BSE may use throughputs measured over a relatively large number of subframes that are above the target throughput and throughputs measured over a relatively large number of subframes that are below the target throughput, and interpolate the signal strength associated with the target throughput at 535. The interpolated signal strength may correspond to Signal_target of FIG. 4 .

As shown in FIG4 , if the Signal_target is identified using linear approximation or interpolation, the identified Signal_target may not directly correspond to a point on the MCS curve; however, the Signal_target can be considered a strong approximation within a certain error range. In other embodiments, different mathematical operations may produce different Signal_targets. However, in many embodiments, the process illustrated by FIG4 and FIG5 is significantly faster than existing testing methods.

FIG6 illustrates an alternative example of characterizing the throughput of a UE (e.g., UE 205) for an MCS curve (e.g., MCS curve 600) in a test environment (e.g., test environment 200). Specifically, MCS curve 600 may depict the throughput of the UE at multiple signal strengths in response to a downlink transmission from a BSE (e.g., BSE 210) using a given MCS, as described above.

In the embodiment shown in FIG6 , a different process than that shown in the embodiments of FIG4 and 5 may be used to identify the Signal_target. Specifically, a first measurement may be made at point 605, which may correspond to the maximum throughput and/or maximum signal strength of MCS curve 600. Next, a second measurement may be made at point 610, which may correspond to the minimum throughput and/or minimum signal strength of MCS curve 600. Next, a third measurement may be made at point 615, which may be the midpoint between first point 605 and second point 610. Third point 615 may be a midpoint equidistant from first point 605 and second point 610. In other embodiments, third point 615 may be some other point between first point 605 and second point 610.

As shown in Figure 6 , the throughput measured at point 615 may be higher than the target throughput. Therefore, a fourth point 620 may be defined as the midpoint between point 615 and point 610. Throughput may be measured at fourth point 620. As shown in Figure 6 , the throughput measured at fourth point 620 may be lower than the target throughput. Therefore, a fifth point 625 may be defined as the midpoint between third measurement point 615 and fourth measurement point 620. Measurements may be performed at point 625, which may approximately equal the target throughput. Therefore, Signal_target may be defined as the signal strength corresponding to the target throughput, as indicated by point 625.

Although in the embodiment depicted in FIG6 , measurements at various points, such as the third, fourth, or fifth points, are depicted as midpoints between two other points, in other embodiments, each point may be located somewhere else between two existing points. For example, in some embodiments, these points may not be midpoints, but rather may be means, medians, averages, or fractions of one or more other known points. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the final point corresponding to the target throughput and Signal_target (e.g., point 625 in this embodiment) may not be exactly equal to the target throughput, but may be within an acceptable error range of the target throughput.

FIG7 illustrates an example process corresponding to the embodiment illustrated in FIG6 . Initially, at 700 , the throughput of a UE, such as UE 205, may be measured at a relatively high signal strength. In some embodiments, this signal strength may be the highest possible signal strength for the test environment. As used herein, this relatively high signal strength will be referred to as S _MAX . Next, at 705 , a BSE (e.g., BSE 210) may measure whether the throughput achieved at S _MAX equals the relatively high throughput (e.g., the maximum throughput). If the throughput measured at S _MAX does not equal the maximum throughput, the BSE may identify an error at 710 , and the process may end.

However, if the throughput measured at S _MAX is equal to the maximum throughput, the BSE may measure the throughput at a relatively low signal strength (e.g., the lowest possible signal strength value for the test under all test conditions) at 710. This signal strength may be referred to as S _MIN . In some embodiments, S _MIN may be defined by one or more standards, such as 3GPP standards. Next, the BSE may identify at 715 whether the throughput measured at S _MIN is equal to the relatively low throughput (e.g., the minimum possible throughput under the test conditions). Similar to element 705, if the throughput measured at S _MIN is not equal to the minimum possible throughput at 715, the system may confirm an error at 710, and the process may end.

However, if at 715 the throughput measured at S _MIN is identified as being equal to the minimum possible throughput, the BSE may then calculate _SMID (720). Specifically, _SMID may be the signal strength at the midpoint between S _MAX and S _MIN . In some embodiments, _SMID may not be at the exact midpoint, but may be approximated to the nearest signal strength interval (e.g., may be 1 dB, 0.5 dB, or some other interval). In some embodiments, _SMID may not be the midpoint, but may be the average point, mean point, median point, or some other point between S _MIN and S _MAX , as described above.

Next, the BSE may confirm whether _SMID is equal to or approximately equal to _SMIN or _SMAX within an error range or signal strength interval at 725. If the BSE determines at 725 that _SMID is equal to or approximately equal to _SMIN or _SMAX , the BSE may identify _SMID as Signal_target at 730, and the process may end. However, if the BSE determines at 725 that _SMID is not equal to _SMIN or _SMAX , the BSE may measure the throughput at _SMID at 735. The BSE may then determine at 740 whether the throughput at _SMID is higher than the target throughput.

If the throughput at _SMID is higher than the target throughput, this may indicate that the signal strength value corresponding to _SMID is higher than Signal_target. Therefore, the BSE may redefine _SMAX at 745 as _SMID . In other words, the maximum signal strength value may be redefined to the current median signal strength value. Processing may then return to element 720, and a new _SMID may be calculated. Conversely, if the throughput at _SMID is lower than the target throughput, this may indicate that the signal strength value corresponding to _SMID is lower than Signal_target. In this case, the BSE may redefine _SMIN at 750 as _SMID . In other words, the minimum signal strength value may be redefined to the current median signal strength value. Processing may then return to element 720, and a new _SMID may be calculated. As described with reference to FIG. 6 , this process may be iterated until _SMID is equal to or approximately equal to _SMIN or _SMAX , at which point Signal_target may be identified.

Although the terms minimum and maximum are used above, it is recognized that the use of the terms minimum and/or maximum is context-dependent. In other words, the terms minimum and maximum may refer to the minimum or maximum for a particular configuration, MCS, desired test, or one or more other considerations. Generally, for the purposes of Figures 6 and 7, minimum and maximum may be understood to refer to the lowest and highest starting points.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more elements in Figures 4 through 7 may be considered optional. For example, in some embodiments, one or both of processes 705 or 715 may not be performed. In some embodiments, the elements in the processes of Figures 4 through 7 may be performed in a different order than shown. In some embodiments, the processes of Figures 4 through 7 may include additional or alternative elements.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to test UEs at various physical locations. Specifically, a UE (e.g., UE 205) may experience different throughputs depending on its physical location relative to a BSE (e.g., BSE 210). In some embodiments, the Signal_target may be used to accelerate measurement times for one or more other physical locations of the UE. Specifically, for other physical locations, the Signal_target may be used as an initial seed value for subsequent throughput measurements for other locations of the UE. If subsequent throughput measurements using the Signal_target do not equal or approximately equal the target throughput, measurements using higher or lower signal strength levels may be performed.

FIG8 illustrates an example process for testing the throughput of a UE (e.g., UE 205) at different physical locations. Initially, the UE may be physically rotated at 800. The throughput at Signal_target may be measured at 805, for example, by a BSE (e.g., BSE 210). In other embodiments, the signal strength may be a different signal strength, such as a signal based on Signal_target but then modified by one or more known factors. The BSE may then determine at 810 whether the throughput measured on the MCS curve using the signal strength identified by Signal_target for the UE in the new transmission location is equal to the target throughput. If the measured throughput is equal to the target throughput, the process may terminate.

If the measured throughput is not equal to the target throughput at 810, the BSE may identify whether the measured throughput is greater than the target throughput at 815. If the measured throughput is greater than the target throughput, a process similar to one of the processes described in Figures 4 to 7 may be used to reduce the signal strength at 820. If the measured throughput is less than the target throughput, a process similar to one of the processes described in Figures 4 to 7 may be used to increase the signal strength at 825. This process may be repeated for one or more different physical locations of the UE.

In some embodiments, the UE 205 may be rotated and tested at several different physical orientations. For example, the UE 205 may be rotated and tested at 12 different physical orientations, although in other embodiments the UE 205 may be tested at more or fewer orientations. A quality factor may be identified based on the Signal_target identified at each orientation for one or more target throughput values. For example, a first quality factor may be identified based on the average of the Signal_target values for a target throughput value of 95% of the maximum target throughput value for each of the 12 orientations of the UE 205. A second quality factor may be identified based on the average of the Signal_target values for a target throughput value of 70% of the maximum target throughput value for each of the 12 orientations of the UE 205. In some embodiments, an overall quality factor for the UE 205 may be identified based on a combination of the first quality factor and the second quality factor.

It will be understood that the above examples are intended to be non-limiting, and that in other embodiments, the quality factor may be identified in other ways. For example, in other embodiments, a different mathematical operation related to the Signal_target value (e.g., addition, averaging, median, or some other mathematical operation) may be used to identify the quality factor. In some embodiments, the quality factor may be identified based on more or fewer physical locations of the UE 205, or Signal_target values at different target throughput values. In some embodiments, the quality factor may be identified based on Signal_target values for multiple MCS curves. In other embodiments, the quality factor may be identified based on additional or alternative factors besides those listed above.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in a system using any suitable hardware and/or software as desired. FIG9 schematically illustrates an example system 900 that may be used to practice various embodiments described herein. FIG9 illustrates, for one embodiment, an example system 900 having (one or more) processors 905, a system control module 910 coupled to at least one of the (one or more) processors 905, a system memory 915 coupled to the system control module 910, a non-volatile memory (NVM)/storage device 920 coupled to the system control module 910, and (one or more) network interfaces 925 coupled to the system control module 910.

In some embodiments, system 900 can function as UE 110 or 205 as described herein. In other embodiments, system 900 can function as BSE 105 or 210 as described herein. In other embodiments, system 900 can function as computer 215. In some embodiments, system 900 can include one or more computer-readable media (e.g., system memory or NVM/storage 920) having instructions and one or more processors (e.g., processor(s) 905) coupled to the one or more computer-readable media and configured to execute the instructions to implement modules that perform the actions described herein.

The system control module 910 for one embodiment may include any suitable interface controller to provide any suitable interface to at least one of the processor(s) 905 and/or any suitable interface to any suitable device or component in communication with the system control module 910 .

The system control module 910 may include a memory controller module 930 to provide an interface to the system memory 915. The memory controller module 930 may be a hardware module, a software module, and/or a firmware module.

System memory 915 may be used to load and store data and/or instructions, for example, for system 900. System memory 915 for one embodiment may include any suitable volatile memory (e.g., suitable DRAM). In some embodiments, system memory 915 may include double data rate type four synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR4 SDRAM).

System control module 910 for one embodiment may include one or more input/output (I/O) controllers to provide interfaces to NVM/storage device 920 and communication interface(s) 925.

NVM/storage 920 may be used, for example, to store data and/or instructions. NVM/storage 920 may include any suitable non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory) and/or may include any suitable non-volatile storage device(s) (e.g., one or more hard disk drives (HDDs), one or more compact disk (CD) drives, and/or one or more digital versatile disk (DVD) drives).

NVM/storage 920 may include storage resources that are physically part of the device on which system 900 is installed, or NVM/storage 920 may be accessible by the device without necessarily being part of the device. For example, NVM/storage 920 may be accessed over a network via communication interface(s) 925.

The communication interface(s) 925 may provide an interface for the system 900 to communicate over the network(s) and/or with any other suitable device. The system 900 may wirelessly communicate with one or more components of a wireless network according to one or more wireless network standards and/or protocols. In some embodiments, the communication interface(s) 925 may include a transceiver module 122 or 135.

For one embodiment, at least one of the processor(s) 905 may be packaged together with logic for one or more controllers of the system control module 910 (e.g., the memory controller module 930). For one embodiment, at least one of the processor(s) 905 may be packaged together with logic for one or more controllers of the system control module 910 to form a system-in-package (SiP). For one embodiment, at least one of the processor(s) 905 may be integrated on the same die with logic for one or more controllers of the system control module 910. For one embodiment, at least one of the processor(s) 905 may be integrated on the same die with logic for one or more controllers of the system control module 910 to form a system-on-chip (SoC).

In some embodiments, processor(s) 905 may include or otherwise be coupled with one or more of a graphics processor (GPU) (not shown), a digital signal processor (DSP) (not shown), a wireless modem (not shown), a digital camera or multimedia circuitry (not shown), sensor circuitry (not shown), display circuitry (not shown), and/or GPS circuitry (not shown).

In various embodiments, system 900 may be, but is not limited to, a server, a workstation, a desktop computing device, or a mobile computing device (e.g., a laptop computing device, a handheld computing device, a tablet, a netbook, a smartphone, a game console, etc.). In various embodiments, system 900 may have more or fewer components and/or a different architecture. For example, in some embodiments, system 900 includes one or more of the following: a camera, a keyboard, a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen (including a touch screen display), a non-volatile memory port, multiple antennas, a graphics chip, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a speaker.

Example

A first example may include an apparatus comprising: a receiver module that receives, for a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), an indication of a throughput of a user equipment (UE) for transmissions sent using the MCS at a first signal level and an indication of a throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using the MCS at a second signal level, the second signal level being lower than the first signal level; and a processor that is coupled to the receiver module and that identifies a third signal level corresponding to a target throughput for the MCS based on the throughput of the UE for transmissions sent at the first signal level and the second signal level.

Example 2 may include the apparatus of Example 1, wherein the target throughput is a percentage of a maximum throughput of the UE.

Example 3 may include the apparatus of Example 1, wherein the target throughput indicates expected performance of the UE for the MCS.

Example 4 may include the apparatus of any of Examples 1-3, wherein the throughput of the UE for transmissions at the first signal level is measured over a first number of subframes, and wherein the throughput of the UE for transmissions at the second signal level is measured over a second number of subframes; and wherein the processor identifies the third signal level based on interpolation of the throughput of the UE for transmissions at the second signal level, without using an indication of the throughput of the UE for transmissions sent at the third signal level using the MCS.

Example 5 may include the apparatus of Example 4, wherein the first number of subframes is 1,000 subframes, and wherein the second number of subframes is 20,000 subframes.

Example 6 may include the apparatus of any of Examples 1-3, wherein the receiver further receives an indication of a throughput of the UE for transmissions at a fourth signal level, the fourth signal level being between the first signal level and the second signal level; and wherein the processor further identifies the third signal level based on the throughput of the UE for transmissions at the fourth signal level.

Example 7 may include the apparatus of any of Examples 1-3, wherein the receiver further receives an indication of a throughput of the UE for transmissions at the third signal level after the UE has been rotated.

Example 8 may include the apparatus of any of Examples 1-3, further comprising a display coupled to the processor.

Example 9 may include a method comprising: measuring, over a first number of subframes, a throughput of a user equipment (UE) for transmissions sent using a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) at a first signal strength level; measuring, over the first number of subframes, a throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using the MCS at a second signal strength level, the second signal strength level being less than the first signal strength level; based on a confirmation that the UE's throughput at the second signal strength level is less than a target throughput, measuring, over a second number of subframes, a throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using the MCS at a third signal strength level; measuring, over the second number of subframes, a throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using the MCS at a fourth signal strength level, the throughput being greater than the target throughput; and interpolating a fifth signal strength level corresponding to the target throughput based on the measurements of the throughput at the third and fourth signal strength levels.

Example 10 may include the method of Example 9, wherein the first number of subframes is less than half the second number of subframes, and the second signal strength level is equal to the third signal strength level.

Example 11 may include the method of Example 10, wherein the first number of subframes is approximately 1,000 subframes and the second number of subframes is approximately 20,000 subframes.

Example 12 may include the method of Example 9, wherein the target throughput is a percentage of a maximum throughput of the UE.

Example 13 may include the method of Example 9, wherein the target throughput indicates the performance of the UE with respect to the MCS.

Example 14 may include the method of any of Examples 9-13, further comprising: after the UE has been rotated, measuring the throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using the MCS at a fifth signal strength level; if the throughput of the UE at the fifth signal strength is higher than the target throughput, measuring the throughput of the UE at a signal strength level lower than the fifth signal strength level, and if the throughput at the fifth signal strength level is lower than the target throughput, measuring the throughput of the UE at a signal strength level higher than the fifth signal strength level.

Example 15 may include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions that, upon execution of the instructions by one or more processors of a computing device, cause the computing device to: identify a throughput of a user equipment (UE) for transmissions sent using a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) at a high signal strength level and for transmissions sent using the MCS at a low signal strength level; identify a throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using the MCS at a first signal strength level, the first signal strength level being between the high signal strength level and the low signal strength level; if the throughput of the UE at the first signal strength level is lower than a target throughput, identify a throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using the MCS at a second signal strength level, the second signal strength level being between the first signal strength level and the high signal strength level; if the throughput of the UE at the first signal strength level is higher than the target throughput, identify a throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using the MCS at a third signal strength level, the third signal strength level being between the first signal strength level and the low signal strength level; and interpolate a fourth signal strength level corresponding to the target throughput based on the throughput of the UE at the second signal strength level or the third signal strength level.

Example 16 may include the one or more computer-readable media of Example 15, wherein the target throughput is a percentage of a maximum throughput of the UE.

Example 17 may include the one or more computer-readable media of Example 15, wherein the target throughput indicates the performance of the UE with respect to the MCS.

Example 18 may include the one or more computer-readable media of any of Examples 15-17, wherein the high signal strength level is a signal strength level corresponding to a maximum throughput of the UE.

Example 19 may include the one or more computer-readable media of any of Examples 15-17, wherein the low signal strength level is a signal strength level corresponding to a minimum throughput of the UE.

Example 20 may include one or more computer-readable media of any of Examples 15-17, further comprising instructions for: after the UE has been rotated, identifying a throughput of the UE for transmissions sent at a fourth signal strength level; if the throughput of the UE at the fourth signal strength level is higher than a target throughput, identifying a throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using an MCS at a signal strength level lower than the fourth signal strength level, and if the throughput of the UE at the fourth signal strength level is lower than the target throughput, identifying a throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using an MCS at a signal strength level higher than the fourth signal strength level.

Example 21 may include a method comprising: receiving, for a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), an indication of a throughput of a user equipment (UE) for transmissions sent at a first signal level using the MCS and an indication of a throughput of the UE for transmissions sent at a second signal level using the MCS, the second signal level being lower than the first signal level; and identifying a third signal level corresponding to a target throughput for the MCS based on the throughput of the UE for transmissions at the first signal level and the second signal level.

Example 22 may include the method of Example 21, wherein the target throughput is a percentage of a maximum throughput of the UE.

Example 23 may include the method of Example 21, wherein the target throughput indicates an expected performance of the UE for the MCS.

Example 24 may include the method of any of Examples 21-23, wherein the throughput of the UE for transmissions at the first signal level is measured over a first number of subframes, and wherein the throughput of the UE for transmissions at the second signal level is measured over a second number of subframes; and the method further includes identifying the third signal level based on interpolation of the throughput of the UE for transmissions at the second signal level without using an indication of the throughput of the UE for transmissions sent at the third signal level using the MCS.

Example 25 may include the method of Example 24, wherein the first number of subframes is 1000 subframes, and wherein the second number of subframes is 20000 subframes.

Example 26 may include the method of any of Examples 21-23, further comprising: receiving an indication of a throughput of the UE for transmissions at a fourth signal level, the fourth signal level being between the first signal level and the second signal level; and identifying a third signal level based on the throughput of the UE for transmissions at the fourth signal level.

Example 27 may include the method of any of Examples 21-23, further comprising receiving an indication of a throughput of the UE for transmissions at the third signal level after the UE has been rotated.

Example 28 may include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions that, upon execution of the instructions by one or more processors of a computing device, perform the method of any of Examples 21-27.

Example 29 may include an apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of Examples 21-27.

Example 30 may include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions that, upon execution by one or more processors of a computing device, perform the method of any of Examples 9-14.

Example 31 may include an apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of Examples 9-14.

Example 32 may include a method comprising: identifying a throughput of a user equipment (UE) for transmissions sent using a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) at a high signal strength level and for transmissions sent using the MCS at a low signal strength level; identifying a throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using the MCS at a first signal strength level, the first signal strength level being between the high signal strength level and the low signal strength level; if the throughput of the UE at the first signal strength level is lower than a target throughput, identifying a throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using the MCS at a second signal strength level, the second signal strength level being between the first signal strength level and the high signal strength level; if the throughput of the UE at the first signal strength level is higher than the target throughput, identifying a throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using the MCS at a third signal strength level, the third signal strength level being between the first signal strength level and the low signal strength level; and interpolating a fourth signal strength level corresponding to the target throughput based on the throughput of the UE at the second signal strength level or the third signal strength level.

Example 33 may include the method of Example 32, wherein the target throughput is a percentage of a maximum throughput of the UE.

Example 34 may include the method of Example 32, wherein the target throughput indicates the performance of the UE for the MCS.

Example 35 may include the method of any of Examples 32-34, wherein the high signal strength level is a signal strength level corresponding to a maximum throughput of the UE.

Example 36 may include the method of any of Examples 32-34, wherein the low signal strength level is a signal strength level corresponding to a minimum throughput of the UE.

Example 37 may include the method of any of Examples 32-34, further comprising: after the UE has been rotated, identifying the UE's throughput for transmissions sent at a fourth signal strength level; if the UE's throughput at the fourth signal strength level is higher than the target throughput, identifying the UE's throughput for transmissions sent using the MCS at a signal strength level lower than the fourth signal strength level, and if the UE's throughput at the fourth signal strength level is lower than the target throughput, identifying the UE's throughput for transmissions sent using the MCS at a signal strength level higher than the fourth signal strength level.

Example 38 may include an apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of Examples 32-37.

Although certain embodiments have been shown and described herein for illustrative purposes, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. It is, therefore, expressly intended that the embodiments described herein be limited only by the claims.

Where the disclosure recites "a" or "first" element or its equivalent, such disclosure includes one or more such elements, neither requires two or more such elements nor excludes two or more such elements. In addition, ordinal indicators (e.g., first, second, or third) for identified elements are used to distinguish between such elements and, unless specifically stated otherwise, do not indicate or imply a required or finite number of such elements, nor do they indicate a specific position or order of such elements.

Claims (12)

1. An apparatus for throughput characterization, comprising: A means for measuring the throughput of a user equipment (UE) for a transmission using a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) at a first signal strength level via a first number of subframes; A means for measuring the throughput of a UE for a transmission using the MCS with a signal strength level gradually decreasing to a second signal strength level via the first number of subframes, wherein the throughput measured at the second signal strength level is lower than the target throughput. A means for measuring the throughput of the UE for a transmission using the MCS at the second signal strength level via a second number of subframes, wherein the second number of subframes is greater than the first number of subframes. A means for measuring, via the second number of subframes, the throughput of a transmission by the UE for a signal strength level gradually increasing to a third signal strength level using the MCS, wherein the throughput measured at the third signal strength level is higher than the target throughput, wherein the step size for gradually increasing the signal strength level is smaller than the step size for gradually decreasing the signal strength level; and An apparatus for interpolating a fourth signal strength level corresponding to the target throughput based on a measurement of throughput at the second signal strength level via the second number of subframes and a measurement of throughput at the third signal strength level. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the target throughput is a percentage of the maximum throughput of the UE. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the target throughput indicates the expected performance of the UE for the MCS. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first number of subframes is 1,000 subframes, and wherein the second number of subframes is 20,000 subframes. 5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising: A means for measuring the throughput of a transmission sent by the UE at the fourth signal strength level using the MCS after the UE has been rotated; A means for measuring the throughput of the UE at a signal strength level lower than the fourth signal strength level when the throughput of the UE at the fourth signal strength level is higher than the target throughput; and A means for measuring the throughput of the UE at a signal strength level higher than the fourth signal strength level when the throughput at the fourth signal strength level is lower than the target throughput. 6. A method for throughput characterization, comprising: The throughput of a user equipment (UE) for a transmission using a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) at a first signal strength level is measured by a first number of subframes. The throughput of the UE for transmissions using the first number of subframes is measured for a signal strength level that is gradually reduced to a second signal strength level using the MCS, and the throughput measured at the second signal strength level is lower than the target throughput. The throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using the MCS at the second signal strength level is measured by a second number of subframes, wherein the second number of subframes is greater than the first number of subframes. The throughput of the UE for transmissions using the MCS with a signal strength level gradually increasing to a third signal strength level is measured through the second number of subframes, wherein the throughput measured at the third signal strength level is higher than the target throughput, and the step size for gradually increasing the signal strength level is smaller than the step size for gradually decreasing the signal strength level; and Based on the measurement of throughput at the second signal strength level through the second number of subframes and the measurement of throughput at the third signal strength level, a fourth signal strength level corresponding to the target throughput is interpolated. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first number of subframes is less than half the second number of subframes. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the first number of subframes is 1,000 subframes, and the second number of subframes is 20,000 subframes. 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the target throughput is a percentage of the maximum throughput of the UE. 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the target throughput indicates the performance of the UE relative to the MCS. 11. The method of claim 6, further comprising: After the UE has been rotated, the throughput of the UE for transmissions sent using the MCS at the fourth signal strength level is measured; If the throughput of the UE at the fourth signal strength level is higher than the target throughput, then the throughput of the UE at a signal strength level lower than the fourth signal strength level is measured; and if the throughput at the fourth signal strength level is lower than the target throughput, then the throughput of the UE at a signal strength level higher than the fourth signal strength level is measured. 12. A computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 6-11.