TWI611668B - Method of identify antenna efficacy of terminal device in mimo system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for confirming antenna performance of a terminal device in a multiple input multiple output system, comprising the steps of: setting a base station to maintain a distance from a terminal device; and using a N (N>1) antenna to perform multiple input multiple output wireless transmission with the base station. The terminal device obtains the N antenna throughput at the set angle, and obtains the N antenna throughput efficiency; the terminal device uses the N antennas and the newly added antenna to perform the multiple input multiple output wireless transmission; the terminal device obtains the N+ at the set angle 1 antenna throughput, and obtain N+1 antenna throughput efficiency; then, the set angle that maximizes the difference between the N+1 antenna throughput efficiency and the N antenna throughput efficiency is determined as the low performance angle of the newly added antenna. Thereby, the purpose of distinguishing the antenna design of the terminal device is achieved.

Description

Method for confirming antenna performance of terminal device in multi-input multi-output system

The present invention relates to an antenna for a multiple input multiple output system, and more particularly to a method for confirming the antenna performance of a terminal device in a multiple input multiple output system.

Today's wireless networks and mobile communication technologies have entered the era of data transmission rates of up to one billion Gigabit per second (Gbps). To achieve this data transmission speed, the current practice is to use a multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) system, that is, each of the base station and the terminal device uses multiple antennas, such as 2x2 MIMO. Or 4x4 MIMO. For the base station equipment, the performance of the antenna used is relatively high, and the space limitation of the antenna element is small, so as to meet the requirements of the breadth of the signal coverage, the strength of the signal, and the stability equivalent energy.

However, for the terminal device, in order to cater to the user's convenience in use, the terminal device usually has many limitations in size, shape and even design, so that the antenna designer often needs to design the antenna of the terminal device. The circuit board of the terminal device itself and the metal parts of the mechanism are included in the antenna design factor. Furthermore, MIMO antennas are used to transmit data signals together, making the cost and complexity of MIMO antenna designs much higher than traditional single-input and single-output single antennas. . When the number of MIMO antennas The greater the amount, the more development cost and time is required for the terminal device to achieve a MIMO antenna design with higher throughput.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for confirming an antenna performance of a terminal device in a MIMO system, thereby confirming which angle of communication efficiency is poor when the number of antennas in the MIMO antenna of the terminal device is increased, so as to achieve identification of the terminal device. The purpose of the antenna design is good or bad.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for confirming antenna performance of a terminal device in a multiple input multiple output system, including the following steps: First, a base station and a terminal device are set, and the terminal device maintains a distance from the base station. Then, N antennas are disposed in the terminal device, and the terminal device performs multiple input multiple output wireless transmission with the base station by using the N antennas, where N is a positive integer greater than one. Then, the terminal device is rotated to the set angle at the positioning point, and the terminal device obtains the N antenna throughput at the set angle, wherein the plurality of the set angles are equally divided in the range of 0 degrees to 360 degrees to obtain a corresponding Multiple N antenna throughputs at a plurality of set angles that are equally divided, wherein the ratio of the N antenna throughput having the same set angle to the maximum throughput of the wireless module of the terminal device is further divided by N For N antenna throughput efficiency. Then, a new antenna is installed in the terminal device, and the terminal device performs multi-input and multi-output wireless transmission using N antennas and a new antenna. Then, the terminal device is rotated to the set angle at the positioning point, and the terminal device obtains the N+1 antenna throughput at the set angle, wherein the plurality of set angles are equally divided in the range of 0 degrees to 360 degrees to obtain a corresponding Multiple N+1 antenna throughputs of a plurality of set angles, wherein the ratio of the N+1 antenna throughput with the same set angle to the maximum throughput is further divided by N+1 to define N+ 1 antenna throughput efficiency. Then, compare N+1 days with the same set angle The line throughput efficiency and the N antenna throughput efficiency, and the set angle at which the difference between the N+1 antenna throughput efficiency and the N antenna throughput efficiency is the largest is determined as the low performance angle of the new antenna.

In summary, the embodiment of the present invention provides a method for confirming the antenna performance of a terminal device in a multiple input multiple output system, which can be used to determine a low performance angle of the antenna, thereby determining whether the antenna used by the terminal device is for improving multiple input and multiple output. The throughput of the system is enough to help.

For a better understanding of the features and technical aspects of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings The scope is subject to any restrictions.

1‧‧‧ base station

2‧‧‧ Terminal devices

21‧‧‧Wireless Module

A1, A2, ... AN‧‧‧ antenna

AA‧‧‧New antenna

3‧‧‧ turntable

4‧‧‧Control equipment

Θ‧‧‧ angle

S110, S12, S130, S140, S150, S160‧‧ steps

S0, S1, S2, S3‧‧‧ curves

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a multiple output multiple input system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for confirming antenna performance of a terminal device in a multiple input multiple output system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a graph of throughput efficiency provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for confirming the antenna performance of a terminal device in a multiple input multiple output system (MIMO), for example, multiple inputs including the base station 1 and the terminal device 2 shown in FIG. Output system. The base station 1 is, for example, a wireless access point, such as an IEEE 802.11n network accessor or an IEEE 802.11ac network accessor, but is not limited thereto. The terminal device 2 is, for example, a smart phone, A notebook computer, an all-in-one computer or a smart TV, but the present invention is not limited thereby. The base station 1 and the terminal device 2 each have a plurality of antennas, and the number of antennas is determined according to the architecture of the MIMO system. For example, if the 2x2 MIMO architecture is used, the base station 1 and the terminal device 2 each have two antennas; In the 4x4 MIMO architecture, the base station 1 and the terminal device 2 each have four antennas. The method of this embodiment is for confirming the antenna performance of the terminal device 2. The number of antennas of the terminal device is at least N antennas A1, A2, ... AN and a new antenna AA, and N is a positive integer greater than 1. For example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, etc., but the present invention does not limit the upper limit of the number of antennas. The newly added antenna AA is used as an antenna to be evaluated in this MIMO system. For example, the terminal device 2 uses up to N+1 antennas in practical applications, and any one of N+1 antennas may be selected as the newly added antenna AA, that is, N+1 antennas are divided into N antennas A1 and A2. , ...AN and a new antenna AA. The method of the present invention does not limit how to select which of the N+1 antennas to be the added antenna AA. When the new antenna AA is selected, the step flow of Figure 2 can be performed to evaluate the benefit of this new antenna AA for this multiple input multiple output system. The N antennas A1, A2, ... AN and the newly added antenna AA are all disposed in the terminal device 2 based on the specifications of the currently used smart phones, notebook computers, all-in-one computers or smart TVs, but the present invention Not limited by this. In addition, the number of antennas of the base station 1 may be N+1, thereby implementing the (N+1)x(N+1) MIMO architecture, but the number of antennas of the base station 1 may be less or more than N+1, which is based on The base station 1 is determined by the communication architecture in cooperation with the terminal device 2, and is generally two or more antennas. However, the present invention does not limit the number of antennas of the base station 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the terminal device 2 is configured to be disposed at an positioning point and rotated in place. The rotation angle may be any set angle. This embodiment does not limit the setting angle. The terminal device 2 can be mounted on a turntable 3 Rotating in place, all the antennas of the terminal device 2 are fixed to the terminal device 2 such that the set angle determines all N+1 antennas (A1, A2, ... AN and AA) of the terminal device 2 with respect to the base station 1 ( Multiple) the orientation of the antenna. Based on the determined setting angle, the throughput data generated when the terminal device 2 communicates with the base station 1 may reflect the performance (or overall performance) of the antenna of the terminal device 2 at the set angle. In general, the maximum throughput of the wireless module 21 of the terminal device 2 reflects the upper limit of the communication performance of each communication port of the wireless module 21 for connecting the antenna, and actually, when the wireless module 21 is connected to different types of The antenna may cause the actually measured throughput to be lower than the maximum throughput because the antenna efficiency is less than 100% and the antenna's radiation pattern is different. Therefore, the maximum throughput of the wireless module 21 can be considered as the maximum throughput when only one antenna is used for communication. The terminal device 2 is difficult to always achieve the maximum throughput based on the limitation of the product design for the antenna, and the throughput of the terminal device 2 in different directions (corresponding to the set angle) may be different (unless the terminal device 2 uses the full Directional antenna).

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 simultaneously, the method of the present embodiment can be implemented by a measurement system for operating a multiple input multiple output system (MIMO) of FIG. 1, for example, using the control device 4 to automatically control and monitor the base station 1 and The operation of the terminal device 2. The control device 4 includes a computer responsible for computing and storing data, and an essential component for data processing and system control such as control of input and output (including control and data transfer) of the base station 1 and the terminal device 2, and control of the control station 3, but The invention does not limit the implementation of the control device 4. Referring to FIG. 2, the method in this embodiment mainly includes the following steps: First, in step S110, the base station 1 and the terminal device 2 are set, and the terminal device 2 and the base station 1 maintain a spacing, and the spacing is in the method flow of this embodiment. The middle is not changing. In other words, this embodiment sets the base for measurement and comparison throughput (or throughput efficiency). The distance between the station 1 and the terminal device 2 is such that the distance between the terminal device 2 and the base station 1 does not become a variable in the measurement process. In step S110, both the base station 1 and the terminal device 2 can be disposed in the electromagnetic darkroom to eliminate external noise and simplify the transmission environment (avoiding multiple path effects), but the present invention is not limited thereto. The transmission environment of the base station 1 and the terminal device 2 can also be replaced with a field of actual application, such as a building, an apartment, a parking lot, or the like.

Then, in step S120, N antennas A1, A2, ... AN are provided in the terminal device 2, and the terminal device 2 performs multi-input with the base station 1 by using the N antennas A1, A2, ... AN. Output wireless transmission, where N is a positive integer greater than one. When the number of antennas of the base station 1 is M, the MIMO architecture of the MxN can be implemented. When M=N, an NxN MIMO architecture can be implemented. In the following steps, the number of antennas used by the base station 1 does not change.

Next, in step S130, the terminal device 2 is rotated to the set angle at the positioning point, and the terminal device 2 obtains the N antenna throughput at the set angle, wherein the plurality of devices are equally divided in the range of 0 degrees to 360 degrees. Setting the angle to obtain a plurality of N antenna throughputs corresponding to the plurality of set angles that are equally divided, wherein the N antenna throughput having the same set angle and the maximum throughput of the wireless module 21 of the terminal device 2 are The ratio of the amount is divided by N to define the N antenna throughput efficiency. The set angle described above includes any one of 0 degrees to 360 degrees, and preferably covers a plurality of representative angles during one rotation, for example, every 10 degrees or every in the range of 0 degrees to 360 degrees. 5 Measure a throughput value. The set angle can be realized by the turntable 3 controlled by the control device 4, such as the horizontal angle θ of the rotation of the turntable 3 of FIG. 1 being a set angle, and the horizontal angle θ of the rotation of the turntable 3 is in the range of 0 to 360 degrees. When the terminal device 2 communicates with the base station 1, the wireless module 21 of the terminal device 2 itself can know the N antenna throughput, and can transmit the value of the N antenna throughput to the external control device 4 by the data transmission line. Then explain Maximum throughput and N antenna throughput efficiency, the maximum throughput of the wireless module 21 is, for example, 200 Mbps, and the throughput of each antenna of the terminal device 2 connected to the wireless module should be no more than 200 Mbps, so that each The N-antenna throughput of the set angle may be less than N times 200Mbps. Therefore, the value of the N antenna throughput efficiency is less than 1, and reflects the (average) throughput benefit achieved by each antenna of the terminal device 2. Using two antennas (N=2) for multi-input and multi-output transmission to achieve a throughput of 320 Mbps, the N-antenna throughput efficiency is 320 Mbps divided by 200 Mbps divided by 2, resulting in 0.8 (ie 80%).

Then, in step S140, the new antenna AA is set in the terminal device 2, and the terminal device 2 performs multi-input multi-output wireless transmission using the N antennas A1, A2, ... AN and the new antenna AA. The newly added antenna AA described in step S140 may be pre-installed in the terminal device 2 before the step S140 without signal feeding, or in step S140, the newly added antenna AA may be installed in the automated mechanical device.

Next, in step S150, the control device 4 controls the turntable 3 to rotate the terminal device 1 at the set point to the set angle, and causes the terminal device 2 to obtain the N+1 antenna throughput at the set angle, where is 0 to 360 degrees. The range is equally divided into a plurality of set angles to obtain a plurality of N+1 antenna throughputs corresponding to a plurality of set angles that are equally divided, wherein the throughput of the N+1 antennas having the same set angle is The ratio of the maximum throughput is then divided by N+1 to define the N+1 antenna throughput efficiency. The throughput efficiency of the N+1 antenna reflects each antenna 终端 of the terminal device 2, on average, the throughput benefit achieved. The above-mentioned N+1 antenna throughput is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the control device 4, and the maximum throughput can be transmitted, for example, by the terminal device 2 to the control device 4 or pre-stored in the memory or storage unit of the control device 4 (not shown) )in.

Then, in step S160, the control device 4 compares the same settings. The angle N+1 antenna throughput efficiency and N antenna throughput efficiency, and the setting angle of the difference between the N+1 antenna throughput efficiency and the N antenna throughput efficiency is determined as the low performance angle of the newly added antenna AA . The control device 4 performs the logical operation of step S160, for example, by a processing unit therein (for example, a central processing unit of a computer).

Referring to FIG. 3, a comparison of the N+1 antenna throughput efficiency and the N antenna throughput efficiency in step S160 can be illustrated by FIG. It is assumed that an omnidirectional antenna is provided in the terminal device 2, and the terminal device 2 performs wireless transmission with the base station 1 by using the omnidirectional antenna, so that the terminal device 2 obtains the reference throughput, and maximizes the reference throughput and the throughput. The ratio of quantities is defined as the reference throughput efficiency. Since the terminal device 2 uses an omnidirectional antenna, when it is further assumed that the antenna efficiency can reach 100%, the reference throughput efficiency of each set angle is as shown by the curve S0, and the reference throughput efficiency is 1 at each set angle. When an omnidirectional antenna is replaced with an antenna having a non-omnidirectional radiation field type and the antenna efficiency is less than 100%, the throughput efficiency of each angle is, for example, a curve S1. It can be seen from Fig. 3 that comparing the curves S0 and S1, the difference in throughput efficiency of the angle of 180 degrees is the largest, and it can be seen that the antenna used here has the smallest throughput efficiency at the set angle of 180 degrees, that is, the antenna can be at this angle. The supported throughput is the worst compared to other angles, and the antenna design should modify the antenna-related parameters for this angle to improve throughput (and throughput efficiency). Next, the curves S1, S2, and S3 are compared. The curve S2 is the throughput efficiency of the terminal device 2 using the two antennas, and the curve S3 is the throughput efficiency of the terminal device 2 using the three antennas. For the curve S2, which uses the antenna A1 and the other antenna (for example, the antenna A2) as the two antennas of the terminal device 2, the angle at which the throughput efficiency difference is the largest is 270 degrees compared to the single antenna A1. It can be seen that the increased second antenna (for example, antenna A2) has the worst benefit when the angle is 270 degrees compared to using a single antenna A1. According to this comparison mode, when N=2, the two antennas are the first antenna and the second antenna respectively, and two antennas can be obtained. Throughput, where the ratio of the two antenna throughputs with the same set angle to the maximum throughput is divided by two can be defined as the two antenna throughput efficiency. Comparing the N+1 antenna throughput efficiency and the N antenna throughput efficiency in step S160 is also comparing the three antenna throughput efficiency with the two antenna throughput efficiency, in which case the antennas A1 and A2 are the first antenna and the second antenna. The new antenna AA will be added as the third antenna. It can be seen from Fig. 3 that the difference in throughput efficiency at the angle of 0 degrees is the largest, and it can be known that the third antenna (AA) has the most benefit for throughput improvement at an angle of 0 degrees. Poor, therefore, if you need to replace or modify the antenna, you can focus on the antenna performance at angle 0 for this third antenna (new antenna AA).

Similarly, when N=3, the N antenna throughput is three antenna throughput, wherein the ratio of the three antenna throughput with the same set angle to the maximum throughput ratio is divided by 3 to define the three antenna throughput efficiency. . Therefore, in step S160, the four antenna throughput efficiency and the three antenna throughput efficiency are compared. When N is 4, the N antenna throughput is four antenna throughput, where the ratio of the four antenna throughput with the same set angle to the maximum throughput ratio is divided by 4 to define the four antenna throughput efficiency. Therefore, in step S160, the five-antenna throughput efficiency and the four-antenna throughput efficiency are compared.

The flow of step S110 and step S160 can also be performed repeatedly, and any one of the N antennas is exchanged with the newly added antenna in each flow to successively judge the performance of each used antenna. Thereby, according to the judgment result, all the antennas used can be selected, modified or replaced by an antenna which is more helpful for the throughput improvement of each angle (set angle) as much as possible by changing the design. However, the present invention does not limit how to select a new antenna, and does not limit the number of loops of step S110 and step S160.

Furthermore, after completing steps S110 to S160, the low-efficiency angle of the newly added antenna AA can be known. To judge the overall setting angle of all new antennas AA Performance, this embodiment provides some illustrative examples. For example, the terminal device 4 is then subjected to the logical operation of the following steps. First, the N+1 antenna throughput efficiencies of a plurality of set angles are equally averaged to obtain an N+1 antenna throughput average efficiency. Then, when the total number of set angles corresponding to the N+1 antenna throughput efficiency lower than the N+1 antenna throughput average efficiency is greater than a predetermined ratio in some of the set angles, it is determined that the newly added antenna AA is Low performance antenna. When N=2, the above steps are to average the three antenna throughput efficiencies of a plurality of set angles to obtain a three-antenna throughput average efficiency; and three antenna throughputs when the average efficiency is lower than three antennas. If the total number of set angles corresponding to the quantity efficiency occupies a ratio greater than the predetermined ratio in all the set angles, it is judged that the newly added antenna is a low-efficiency antenna. The above steps are because the antenna throughput efficiency is usually not the same at all angles. If the angle is lower than the average value, the antenna provides a fairly good throughput efficiency at a small angle, but the more angular throughput efficiency. However, the new antenna AA may not meet the throughput improvement requirements of most angles. The new antenna AA can be evaluated as a low-efficiency antenna, for example, 50%, 40% or 60%, but this The invention is not so limited.

In another example, determining whether the newly added antenna AA is a low-efficiency antenna may also be: comparing the N+1 antenna throughput efficiency of the same set angle with the N antenna throughput efficiency, and determining that the difference is greater than one. If the number of set angles of the predetermined values occupies a ratio of all of the set angles greater than a predetermined ratio (for example, 50%, 40%, or 60%), it is judged that the newly added antenna AA is a low-efficiency antenna. That is to say, when the data transmission performance of the new antenna AA for the MIMO system is increased but not in line with expectations (not enough increase), the newly added antenna AA is judged as an inefficient antenna, and its representative cannot Meet the increase in component cost (number of antennas) in exchange for data transmission The purpose of performance improvement. The predetermined value is determined, for example, based on a possible difference in throughput efficiency, for example, a three-antenna throughput of 420 Mbps is a required throughput, and a three-antenna throughput efficiency is 0.7 (420/(200*3)), and two antenna throughputs The throughput of 320 Mbps is the required throughput. The throughput efficiency of the two antennas is 0.8 (320/(200*2)), the predetermined value is 0.1 (ie 10%), and the efficiency of the three antennas is less than 0.7, which means that the requirements are not met. . When the new antenna AA is judged to be a low-efficiency antenna, the antenna designer can change (or replace) the new antenna design, such as changing the structure or position of the newly added antenna AA or even the associated RF circuit, so as to select another new one. Add the antenna AA and use the above method steps to select a new antenna that can improve the overall throughput of the system.

In summary, the method for confirming the antenna performance of the terminal device in the multiple input multiple output system provided by the embodiment of the present invention can be used to determine the low performance angle of the antenna or determine the low performance antenna, thereby determining whether the antenna used by the terminal device is It is helpful to improve the throughput of multi-input and multi-output systems.

The above description is only an embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

S110, S12, S130, S140, S150, S160‧‧ steps

Claims (9)

A method for confirming antenna performance of a terminal device in a multiple input multiple output system is implemented by a measurement system of a multiple input multiple output system, and automatically controls and monitors operation of a base station and a terminal device by using a control device, The method includes: setting the base station and the terminal device, the terminal device and the base station maintaining a spacing; setting N antennas in the terminal device, and the terminal device uses the N antennas to perform multiple input and multiple output wireless with the base station Transmission, wherein N is a positive integer greater than 1; causing the terminal device to rotate to a set angle at an anchor point, the terminal device obtaining an N antenna throughput at the set angle, wherein the range is from 0 degrees to 360 degrees Dividing into a plurality of the set angles to obtain a plurality of the N antenna throughputs corresponding to the plurality of the set angles that are equally divided, wherein the N antenna throughput having the same set angle is the same as the terminal device The ratio of the maximum throughput of a wireless module is divided by N to define an N antenna throughput efficiency; a new antenna is set in the terminal device, and the terminal is provided The device uses the N antennas and the newly added antenna to perform multi-input and multi-output wireless transmission; and the terminal device rotates to the set angle at the positioning point, and the terminal device obtains an N+1 antenna throughput at the set angle And dividing the plurality of the set angles in a range of 0 degrees to 360 degrees to obtain a plurality of the N+1 antenna throughputs corresponding to the plurality of the set angles that are equally divided, wherein the same The ratio of the N+1 antenna throughput of the set angle to the maximum throughput of the 再 is further divided by N+1 to define an N+1 antenna throughput efficiency; and comparing the N+1 having the same set angle Antenna throughput efficiency and the N antenna throughput efficiency, and the N+1 antenna throughput efficiency and the N antenna throughput The set angle at which the difference in efficiency is the largest is judged as a low-efficiency angle of the newly added antenna. The method for confirming the antenna performance of the terminal device in the multiple input multiple output system according to the first item of claim 1, the method further comprising: averaging the N+1 antenna throughput efficiencies of the plurality of the set angles Obtaining an average efficiency of an N+1 antenna throughput; and the total number of the set angles corresponding to the N+1 antenna throughput efficiency below the N+1 antenna throughput average efficiency occupies all of the set angles If the ratio is greater than a predetermined ratio, it is determined that the added antenna is a low performance antenna. The method for confirming the antenna performance of a terminal device in the multiple input multiple output system according to the first item of claim 1, wherein N is 2, and the two antennas are respectively a first antenna and a second antenna, and the N antenna The throughput is two antenna throughput, wherein the ratio of the two antenna throughputs having the same set angle to the maximum throughput ratio is further divided by two to define one or two antenna throughput efficiencies. The method for confirming the antenna performance of a terminal device in the multiple input multiple output system according to claim 1, wherein the N antennas and the newly added antenna are disposed in the terminal device. A method for confirming antenna performance of a terminal device in a multiple input multiple output system according to claim 1, wherein the N is 3, and the N antenna throughput is three antenna throughput, wherein the same set angle is The ratio of the three antenna throughput to the maximum throughput of the 再 is divided by three to define the three antenna throughput efficiency. A method for confirming antenna performance of a terminal device in a multiple input multiple output system according to claim 1, wherein the N is 4, and the N antenna throughput is four antenna throughput, wherein the same set angle is The four antenna throughput is the most The ratio of the large throughput is divided by 4 to define the four antenna throughput efficiency. The method for confirming the antenna performance of a terminal device in a multiple input multiple output system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is a smart phone, a notebook computer, an integrated computer or a smart TV. A method of confirming antenna performance of a terminal device in a multiple input multiple output system according to claim 1, wherein the base station is an IEEE 802.11n network accessor or an IEEE 802.11ac network accessor. The method for confirming the antenna performance of a terminal device in the multiple input multiple output system according to claim 1, wherein the base station and the terminal device are both disposed in an electromagnetic darkroom.