Mobile terminal test apparatus and control message transmission method thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile terminal test apparatus for testing a mobile terminal.

[0002] In a case where a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a data communication terminal that performs communication while moving is developed, it is necessary to test whether or not the developed mobile terminal can normally perform communication. Therefore, a mobile terminal as a device under test (DUT) is connected to a test apparatus that operates as a simulation base station that simulates a function of an actual base station, a test is performed such that communication is performed between the test apparatus and the mobile terminal and contents of this communication is checked.

[0003] In the mobile terminal test apparatus, when it becomes necessary to transmit a control message to the mobile terminal by a setting of a user, the control message is transmitted to the mobile terminal.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes that a handover message is transmitted to a mobile terminal when a handover execution operation is performed by an operation of a user.

• [0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 6034849

[0006] The transmission of such a control message may be necessary even in a case where a setting as a simulation base station is changed. Meanwhile, when a large number of settings are changed at a start of a test or the like, it takes time to perform the test if an internal process or a message transmission process is performed every time the settings are changed.

[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal test apparatus capable of efficiently performing a test by collectively processing control messages.

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal test apparatus that tests a mobile terminal by simulating a base station of mobile communication, the mobile terminal test apparatus including: a control unit that switches, as a mode for transmitting a control message to the mobile terminal, between an Automatic mode in which by a setting of a parameter by a user, the control message is transmitted to the mobile terminal when it becomes necessary to transmit the control message to the mobile terminal, and a Manual mode in which change information on the parameter by the setting of the parameter by the user is held, and the control message corresponding to the held change information is transmitted to the mobile terminal when a parameter application instruction is given by the user.

[0009] With this configuration, the Automatic mode in which the control message is transmitted to the mobile terminal when it becomes necessary to transmit the control message to the mobile terminal and the Manual mode in which the control message corresponding to the held change information is transmitted to the mobile terminal when the parameter application instruction is given by the user can be switched. Therefore, in a case where there are few parameter changes or a case where it is desired to immediately transmit the control message to the mobile terminal, the Automatic mode is selected, and in a case where there are a large number of parameter changes, the Manual mode is selected. Therefore, a processing load or a processing time can be reduced, and the test can be efficiently performed.

[0010] In addition, according to the present invention, the mobile terminal test apparatus further includes: a scenario processing unit; and a common memory shared by the control unit and the scenario processing unit, in which the control unit performs updating of the parameter in accordance with contents of the setting of the parameter, writes information on the updated parameter in the common memory, sends a parameter update notification to the scenario processing unit in a case where the Automatic mode is selected, and sends the parameter update notification to the scenario processing unit when the parameter application instruction is given, in a case where the Manual mode is selected, and the scenario processing unit transmits the control message to the mobile terminal when receiving the parameter update notification transmitted from the control unit.

[0011] In addition, in the mobile terminal test apparatus according to the present invention, a test in accordance with a standard of 3rd generation partnership project is performed on the mobile terminal, the Manual mode is applied in a common setting and a Test ID 1 condition among a plurality of test items, and the Automatic mode is applied to a Test ID 2 condition.

[0012] In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a control message transmission method of a mobile terminal test apparatus that tests a mobile terminal by simulating a base station of mobile communication, the method including: a step of holding change information on a parameter by a setting of the parameter by a user; and a step of transmitting a control message corresponding to the held change information to the mobile terminal when a parameter application instruction is given by the user.

[0013] With this configuration, the change information on the parameter by the setting of the parameter by the user is held, and the control message corresponding to the held change information is transmitted to the mobile terminal when the parameter application instruction is given by the user. Therefore, even in a case where there are a large number of parameter changes, the processing load or the processing time can be reduced, and the test can be efficiently performed.

[0014] The present invention can provide a mobile terminal test apparatus capable of efficiently performing a test by collectively processing control messages.

[0019] Hereinafter, a mobile terminal test apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0020] In FIG. 1, a mobile terminal test apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided to transmit and receive RF (radio frequency) signals to and from a mobile terminal 10 in a wired manner via a coaxial cable or the like as a simulation base station. The mobile terminal test apparatus 1 may wirelessly transmit and receive the RF signals to and from the mobile terminal 10 via an antenna.

[0021] The mobile terminal test apparatus 1 includes a simulation base station unit 2, a scenario processing unit 3, an operation unit 4, a display unit 5, and a control unit 6.

[0022] The simulation base station unit 2 transmits and receives RF signals to and from the mobile terminal 10 under control of the scenario processing unit 3. The simulation base station unit 2 outputs a state or the like of communication with the mobile terminal 10 to the control unit 6.

[0023] The simulation base station unit 2 can perform LTE communication with the mobile terminal 10 according to the long term evolution (LTE) standard. The simulation base station unit 2 can perform 5G NR communication with the mobile terminal 10 according to the 5th generation new radio (5G NR) standard.

[0024] In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 6, the scenario processing unit 3 reads out a stored scenario, and causes the simulation base station unit 2 to transmit notification information based on the scenario or execute a communication sequence with the mobile terminal 10.

[0025] The operation unit 4 is configured with an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, and outputs information or the like necessary for generating a scenario input by an operation, to the control unit 6. The display unit 5 is configured with an image display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays an image for inputting information necessary for generating a scenario, an image illustrating a state during a test, and the like.

[0026] In accordance with an instruction input to the operation unit 4, the control unit 6 causes the display unit 5 to display a creation screen for a test scenario to input information necessary for generating the test scenario, or generate the test scenario based on the information input to the operation unit 4 on the creation screen for the test scenario. In accordance with an instruction input to the operation unit 4, the control unit 6 transmits the instruction to the scenario processing unit 3 to execute a test based on a test scenario stored in a storage device or to cause the display unit 5 to display a state or the like during the test based on information such as a state of each layer or a state of communication with the mobile terminal 10 transmitted from the scenario processing unit 3.

[0027] Here, the mobile terminal test apparatus 1 is configured with a computer apparatus (not illustrated) provided with a communication module for communicating with the mobile terminal 10. This computer apparatus has each of a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a storage device such as a hard disk device, an input and output port, and a touch panel (not illustrated).

[0028] A program for causing the computer apparatus to function as the mobile terminal test apparatus 1 is stored in the ROM and the hard disk device of the computer apparatus. That is, the computer apparatus functions as the mobile terminal test apparatus 1 by the CPU executing the program stored in the ROM by using the RAM as a work region.

[0029] In this manner, in the present embodiment, the scenario processing unit 3 and the control unit 6 are configured with the CPU, and the simulation base station unit 2 is configured with the communication module.

[0030] In the mobile terminal test apparatus 1 having such a configuration, it is necessary to transmit a control message to the mobile terminal 10 when call control such as a handover is performed, or when a setting as a simulation base station is changed.

[0031] In the mobile terminal test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, an Automatic mode and a Manual mode can be selected as modes for transmitting the control message to the mobile terminal 10.

[0032] In a case where the Automatic mode is selected, the control unit 6 transmits a control message to the mobile terminal 10 when it is necessary to transmit the control message to the mobile terminal 10, according to a setting of a parameter by a user.

[0033] In a case where the Manual mode is selected, the control unit 6 holds change information on a parameter by a setting of the parameter by the user, and transmits a control message corresponding to the held change information when a parameter application instruction is given by the user.

[0034] In a case where the Automatic mode is selected, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when a parameter setting command is input by an operation of the operation unit 4 by the user, the control unit 6 updates a parameter and updates a linked parameter in accordance with contents of the parameter setting command, writes the updated parameter information in a common memory with the scenario processing unit 3, and sends a parameter update notification indicating that the parameter is updated to the scenario processing unit 3.

[0035] When the scenario processing unit 3 receives the parameter update notification from the control unit 6, the scenario processing unit 3 reads the updated parameter from the common memory, performs a process corresponding to the updated parameter, writes the updated parameter with this process in the common memory, sends a parameter update notification indicating that the parameter is updated to the control unit 6, and transmits a necessary control message by the parameter update to the mobile terminal 10.

[0036] In a case where the Automatic mode is selected, the control unit 6 performs such a process every time the parameter setting command is input from the user.

[0037] In a case where the Manual mode is selected, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when a parameter setting command is input by an operation of the operation unit 4 by the user, the control unit 6 updates a parameter and updates a linked parameter in accordance with contents of the parameter setting command, and writes the updated parameter information in the common memory.

[0038] Even if a parameter setting command is input by the operation of the operation unit 4 by the user next time, the control unit 6 updates the parameters in conjunction with the update of the parameters in accordance with contents of the parameter setting command, and writes the updated parameter information in the common memory.

[0039] When a parameter application command is input by the user operating the operation unit 4, the control unit 6 sends a parameter update notification to the scenario processing unit 3.

[0040] When the scenario processing unit 3 receives the parameter update notification from the control unit 6, the scenario processing unit 3 reads the updated parameter from the common memory, performs a process corresponding to the updated parameter, writes the updated parameter with this process in the common memory, sends a parameter update notification indicating that the parameter is updated to the control unit 6, and transmits a necessary control message by the parameter update to the mobile terminal 10.

[0041] In this manner, in a case where the Automatic mode is selected, a control message is sent to the mobile terminal 10 every time a parameter change is performed, so this mode is suitable for a case of immediately sending a control message to the mobile terminal 10, such as a handover test. In addition, even in a case where the number of parameter changes is small, a processing load is low and a time is short.

[0042] Further, when the Manual mode is selected, no control message is sent to the mobile terminal 10 even if a parameter change is performed, and when an instruction to apply the parameter is sent, a control message corresponding to the previous parameter change is sent to the mobile terminal 10. The processing load and the processing time can be reduced in a case where there are a large number of parameter changes.

[0043] State transition of control message transmission of the mobile terminal test apparatus according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0044] In FIG. 4, when the mobile terminal test apparatus 1 is activated, the state is shifted to an Automatic mode parameter change reception state.

[0045] In the Automatic mode parameter change reception state, when a parameter change instruction is given by the user, the state is shifted to an Automatic mode parameter application state and a parameter application process is performed.

[0046] In the Automatic mode parameter application state, when the parameter application is completed, the state is shifted to the Automatic mode parameter change reception state.

[0047] In the Automatic mode parameter change reception state, when the user gives a switching instruction to the Manual mode, the state is shifted to a Manual mode parameter non-change state.

[0048] In the Manual mode parameter non-change state, when a parameter application instruction is given by the user or the control unit 6, the mobile terminal test apparatus 1 remains in the Manual mode parameter non-change state.

[0049] In the Manual mode parameter non-change state, when a parameter change instruction is given by the user, the parameter change is written in the common memory, and the state is shifted to a Manual mode parameter change state.

[0050] In the Manual mode parameter change state, when the parameter change instruction is given by the user, the parameter change is written in the common memory, and the mobile terminal test apparatus 1 remains in the Manual mode parameter change state.

[0051] In the Manual mode parameter change state, when the parameter application instruction is given by the user or the control unit 6, the state is shifted to a Manual mode parameter application state, and the parameter application process is performed.

[0052] In the Manual mode parameter application state, when the parameter application is completed, the state is shifted to the Manual mode parameter non-change state.

[0053] In the Manual mode parameter change state, when a switching instruction to the Automatic mode is given, the state is shifted to the Manual mode parameter application state and the parameter application process is performed. When the parameter application is completed, the state is shifted to the Manual mode parameter non-change state, and shifted to the Automatic mode parameter change reception state.

[0054] In the Manual mode parameter non-change state, when the user or the control unit 6 gives a switching instruction to the Automatic mode, the state is shifted to the Automatic mode parameter change reception state.

[0055] In this manner, in the embodiment described above, it is possible to switch between the Automatic mode in which a parameter is changed at any time and a control message is transmitted to the mobile terminal 10 and the Manual mode in which change information on a parameter is held and a control message corresponding to the held change information on the parameter is transmitted to the mobile terminal 10 when a parameter application instruction is given.

[0056] As a result, in a case where there are few parameter changes or a case where it is desired to immediately transmit a control message to the mobile terminal 10, the Automatic mode is selected, and in a case where there are a large number of parameter changes, the Manual mode is selected. Therefore, a processing load or a processing time can be reduced, and the test can be efficiently performed.

[0057] The 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) standard defines a large number of major test items related to transmission power, signal quality, or the like, and further defines several test conditions (Test IDs) for each of these tests.

[0058] In a case where all the defined tests are executed, a flow is performed such that a common setting (OperationBand, Channel, scheduling, or the like) for a major item of a target is performed, and then a setting of a Test ID 1 condition is performed and measurement is executed to acquire a result, and a setting of a Test ID 2 condition is performed and measurement is executed to acquire a result, so measurement of all the test conditions in the major item of the target is completed, then the common setting for the next major item test is performed. The order of all the defined tests is common settings first, then TEST ID1, then Test ID2.

[0059] At this time, it is necessary to change dozens of parameters or more, from the common setting to the setting of Test ID 1 condition. Meanwhile, in a case of changing to the condition of Test ID 2 after the Test ID 1 test is completed, for example, only RB Allocation is changed, so that only two parameters to be changed are Starting RB and Number of RB.

[0060] In this manner, by applying the Manual mode to the common setting unit in which a large number of parameter changes are required, the internal processing time can be reduced, and by applying the Automatic mode in the subsequent Test ID change unit, it is possible to omit the transmission of the parameter application instruction.

[0061] Although the embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, it is apparent that the embodiment can be modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. All such modifications and equivalents are intended to be included in the following claims.

• • [0062] 1 mobile terminal test apparatus
  • [0063] 2 simulation base station unit
  • [0064] 3 scenario processing unit
  • [0065] 4 operation unit
  • [0066] 5 display unit
  • [0067] 6 control unit
  • [0068] 10 mobile terminal