Dual downlink signals level balancing methodology before reception of dual receiver antennas for LTE UE test conformance

Abstract

This thesis presents alternative and more significant cost save approach to resolve the dual downlink signal level balancing issue before reception of dual receiver antennas for LTE user equipment (UE) test conformance. LTE, the Long Term Evolution became common acronyms. LTE is recognized in commercial as 4G wireless cellular technology standard. But in industry perspective, LTE is called as 3.9G because LTE is not fully up to the requirement of 4G. LTE competes with another wireless technology which is Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX). Due to LTE was introduced 1-2 years later, it has slight more significant advance compare to WiMAX. LTE is also meant for cellular which includes voice and data rather than only data. So, deployment of LTE is more popular. In the LTE UE RF test specification, 3GPP TS 36.521-1, it mainly consists two sections which are performance tests (includes setups, test connection diagrams and procedures) of transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx). Receiver of LTE compulsory requires 2 receiver antennas for diversity. The challenge for the specification conformance would be downlink signals after the split must need to be equal level before they are received by dual receiver antennas port of UE. This is particular on the UUT receiver tests. After the split of downlink signal path, the primary path (towards the Rx/ Tx antenna) and secondary path (towards the second Rx antenna) will not be equal path loss due to more components are connected along the primary path to support the transmitter and receiver tests, so it need to be resolved.