System Testing a Complex Radio Frequency Embedded Device
Nieminen, Mikko (2023)
2023
Automaatiotekniikan DI-ohjelma - Master's Programme in Automation Engineering
Tekniikan ja luonnontieteiden tiedekunta - Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2023-02-03
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202301181522
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202301181522
Tiivistelmä
In this thesis, a case study of a testing setup is created for a complex radio frequency embedded device. Testing and software development is examined on a general level, followed by examining embedded radio frequency system testing and test automation.
The complex radio frequency embedded device under test in this thesis is a radio device, which receives and processes radio frequency signals. The testing setup is required to automatically verify the correct operation of the device. This requires testing the device with radio frequency inputs. The device consists of multiple internal components, which are working together to handle the signal inputs. The testing setup is developed targeting comprehensive testing of the device.
Testing in this thesis is examined on the software testing level, which is extended to cover embedded radio frequency system testing realm. A special emphasis is placed on testing radio frequency devices, and the embedded nature of the system.
For test automation, testing methods required for the setup are presented. Two test automation framework candidates are presented and examined.
The testing setup is created as a case study, using the device under test, a signal generator and a computer running the chosen testing framework. The setup is built based on set requirements with emphasis on accuracy, open nature of the software, and current and future usability. The completed case study serves as a base for future development, revealing and solving problems, which may occur in the future development of the setup.
In the final chapters, observations are noted on the challenges in creating such testing setup. Notable challenges are the limitations of commercial signal generators, interfaces between different devices, and balancing between the accuracy and the repeatability of the tests.
Next steps for future development are presented. This includes improvements such as integration to continuous integration pipeline to automate the testing further, and production testing as the next testing level for the setup.
The complex radio frequency embedded device under test in this thesis is a radio device, which receives and processes radio frequency signals. The testing setup is required to automatically verify the correct operation of the device. This requires testing the device with radio frequency inputs. The device consists of multiple internal components, which are working together to handle the signal inputs. The testing setup is developed targeting comprehensive testing of the device.
Testing in this thesis is examined on the software testing level, which is extended to cover embedded radio frequency system testing realm. A special emphasis is placed on testing radio frequency devices, and the embedded nature of the system.
For test automation, testing methods required for the setup are presented. Two test automation framework candidates are presented and examined.
The testing setup is created as a case study, using the device under test, a signal generator and a computer running the chosen testing framework. The setup is built based on set requirements with emphasis on accuracy, open nature of the software, and current and future usability. The completed case study serves as a base for future development, revealing and solving problems, which may occur in the future development of the setup.
In the final chapters, observations are noted on the challenges in creating such testing setup. Notable challenges are the limitations of commercial signal generators, interfaces between different devices, and balancing between the accuracy and the repeatability of the tests.
Next steps for future development are presented. This includes improvements such as integration to continuous integration pipeline to automate the testing further, and production testing as the next testing level for the setup.