US 12,328,135 B2
Radio frequency scanner system and method for mobile network testing
Corbett Rowell, Munich (DE); and Manuel Mielke, Munich (DE)
Assigned to Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG, Munich (DE)
Filed by Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG, Munich (DE)
Filed on Aug. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/817,510.
Claims priority of application No. 21194795 (EP), filed on Sep. 3, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0075053 A1, Mar. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. H04B 1/18 (2006.01); H01Q 3/24 (2006.01); H04B 1/16 (2006.01); H04W 24/00 (2009.01); H04W 16/18 (2009.01); H04W 24/10 (2009.01)
CPC H04B 1/18 (2013.01) [H01Q 3/24 (2013.01); H04B 1/1607 (2013.01); H04W 16/18 (2013.01); H04W 24/10 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A radio frequency (RF) scanner system for mobile network testing, comprising:
a radio frequency receiver;
a switched directional antenna assembly, wherein the switched directional antenna assembly comprises a plurality of directional antennas oriented in different directions, wherein the plurality of directional antennas of the switched directional antenna assembly are connected to at least one switch that is controlled by the radio frequency receiver, and wherein the at least one switch is configured to switch on and/or to switch off each directional antenna of the plurality of directional antennas independently of each other; and
a positioning antenna assembly configured to receive a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal,
wherein the radio frequency receiver is connected with the positioning antenna assembly, wherein the radio frequency receiver is configured to receive the GNSS signal from the positioning antenna assembly, which is indicative of a position and/or bearing,
wherein the radio frequency receiver is also connected with the switched directional antenna assembly, wherein the radio frequency receiver is configured to receive an analog radio frequency signal from the switched directional antenna assembly, and wherein the radio frequency receiver is configured to process the analog radio frequency signal received from the switched directional antenna assembly, thereby converting the analog radio frequency signal to a baseband signal,
wherein the radio frequency receiver is configured to record information of the switching state of the switch, wherein the information comprises information concerning the respective directional antenna(s) used during a respective measurement thereby enabling the radio frequency receiver to determine which of the directional antenna(s) of the switched directional antenna assembly contribute(s) to the analog radio frequency signal that is received from the switched directional antenna assembly,
wherein the radio frequency receiver is configured to gather information of the position and/or bearing, and wherein the radio frequency receiver is configured to combine the information of the switching state, the baseband signal and the information of the position and/or bearing, thereby generating output metadata.