CN106210224B

CN106210224B - Test method and system for mobile communication equipment

Info

Publication number: CN106210224B
Application number: CN201510226702.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 奥尔赫·若什
Original assignee: Rohde and Schwarz GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Rohde and Schwarz GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2015-05-06
Filing date: 2015-05-06
Publication date: 2020-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2035-05-06
Also published as: CN106210224A

Abstract

A test method and a test system for testing a mobile communication device are provided. The test method comprises the following steps: activating a test profile stored in a profile memory of a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) for a mobile communication device employing the UICC; setting the configuration of the mobile communication device to a test mode according to the information of the activated test profile of the UICC; and performing an operational test on the mobile communication device using a test front end module of the test system when the configuration of the mobile communication device is set to the test mode.

Description

Test method and system for mobile communication equipment

Technical Field

The invention relates to a test method and a test system of mobile communication equipment. Such methods and systems may be used to test mobile communication devices employing Universal Integrated Circuit Cards (UICCs).

Background

Mobile communication devices typically use a module for authenticating a user, commonly referred to as a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). The UICC includes a smart card that is inserted into and integrally connected to the mobile communication device. The UICC comprises a storage module for storing the user personal information and operator information about any mobile network to which the user is subscribed. For example, the personal information stored on the UICC may include an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) that identifies the subscriber. Other terms used to refer to a UICC may be a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) card.

The UICC may conveniently store predetermined user information that is not easily changeable, wherein the UICC may be physically inserted into and subsequently removed from the mobile user terminal. Authentication of the user may be performed automatically by using information stored in the UICC.

Non-removable UICCs are widely popular as so-called "embedded UICCs" (euiccs). The personalized subscriber information may be stored in the eUICC in the form of an IMSI, wherein the IMSI may be pre-assigned to a specific mobile network operator specified in a manufacturing step of the mobile subscriber terminal, thus the eUICC being an integral part of the terminal.

For euiccs, it is desirable to remotely update or change user information regarding subscribers of multiple mobile network operators. Thus, the eUICC carries a profile management module for managing different profiles in the eUICC associated with different users and/or different mobile network operators.

For example, document WO 2012/017059 a1 discloses a system and a method for allowing a mobile telecommunications terminal having an eUICC to use a plurality of user profiles. Document US 2014/0219447 a1 discloses a method of managing multiple profiles in an eUICC by using profile access credentials of a mobile network. Document WO 2014/193181 a1 discloses a method for remotely installing and uninstalling a management profile on an embedded security module of a mobile terminal. Document DE 102009008948 a1 discloses a method of activating a subscriber identity module for conducting a main service in a mobile communication network with a limited functionality service profile.

Electronic devices, such as mobile communication devices, are subjected to a variety of electronic tests after production. Such testing must generally ensure proper configuration, calibration, and function of the various elements of the Device Under Test (DUT). For testing, special test equipment is used which simulates the test environment under predetermined test conditions. For example, the test equipment may employ one or more specific test routines having a predetermined test schedule. These test schedules generally relate to the input of a particular sequence of test signals to the DUT and/or the reception of responses to test signals input to the DUT. Such responses may be evaluated for consistency, durability, timeliness, and other characteristics of expected DUT behavior.

It is desirable to find a solution for testing mobile communication devices that allows for efficient and reliable testing and flexible test management.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the disclosure of the present invention, a test method and a test system for a mobile communication device can be realized.

Specifically, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a test method of testing a mobile communication device includes: activating a test profile stored in a profile memory of a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) for a mobile communication device employing the UICC; setting the configuration of the mobile communication device to a test mode according to the information of the activated test profile of the UICC; and performing operational testing on the mobile communication device using the test front end module of the test system when the configuration of the mobile communication device is set to the test mode.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a test system for testing one or more mobile communication devices comprises: a test front-end module connectable to one or more mobile communication devices under test, each mobile communication device under test employing a universal integrated circuit card, UICC, having a profile memory configured to store a test profile; and a test controller coupled to the test front end module. The test controller is configured to transmit a control signal to the one or more mobile communication devices under test, thereby causing the UICC to activate the test profile.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a universal integrated circuit card UICC comprises: a profile store configured to store one or more operational profiles; and a general purpose processor coupled to the profile memory and configured to access one or more of the operational profiles stored in the profile memory. At least one of the operational profiles includes a test profile including a test configuration of the mobile communication device. The general purpose processor is configured to activate the test profile when a control signal is received from a test controller of the test system.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a mobile communication device comprises: a UICC according to the third aspect of the invention and a UICC manager module coupled to an access interface of the UICC.

One idea of the present invention is to provide a UICC with a specific test profile that is dedicated to set up a mobile communication device in a test mode, thereby enabling a test system to test the functionality of the mobile communication device in terms of UICC related functionality such as network provisioning (provisioning), network access or network policy.

There are several particular advantages associated with such a test system and its attendant testing methodology. Testing such profiles may be bound to the testing system such that authentication of such testing profiles is only possible with the authentication credentials of the testing system. In this way, the test profile can be activated only in the relevant test system, preventing misuse or tampering due to unauthorized access.

Particular embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

The above and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Drawings

Further details, aspects and embodiments of the invention are exemplarily described with reference to the drawings. For purposes of simplicity and clarity, the elements in the figures are illustrated and not necessarily drawn to scale.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 schematically shows a mobile communication device with a UICC according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a test system for a mobile communication device according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a test system for a mobile communication device according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 shows a flow chart of an ongoing phase of a testing method for testing a mobile communication device according to another embodiment of the invention.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numerals are used, unless explicitly stated otherwise, to designate identical or at least functionally identical elements, features and components of the drawings.

Detailed Description

A mobile communication device within the meaning of the present invention comprises any mobile electronic device capable of communicating without limitation via a mobile communication network. Mobile communication devices may include laptop computers, notebooks, tablets, smart phones, mobile phones, pagers, PDAs, digital still cameras, digital video cameras, portable media players, game consoles, virtual reality glasses, mobile PCs, mobile modems, machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, and similar electronic devices.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a UICC 1. The UICC1 may be a physically separate component which may be inserted and removed from the mobile communications device at will. Alternatively, the UICC1 may be an embedded UICC (eUICC), which may be integrally engaged with the mobile communication device. The eUICC may not be easily accessible or replaceable, and may not be intended to be replaced or removed from the mobile communication device using the eUICC, thus supporting secure subscription information changes. The UICC may accommodate a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), which is a set of functions specific to a user or subscriber of the mobile communication device. The SIM may include static information about the subscribed services, a phone number, a home network identity, a list of preferred roaming networks, and the like.

The UICC1 is a removable or non-removable card with a silicon chip that holds subscriber information for a subscriber in a mobile network. Thus, the UICC1 may have a non-volatile profile memory 4 and a general purpose processor 2. The UICC1 may further comprise an authentication module 3, a function manager 6 and a key storage module 5.

The general purpose processor 2 may be coupled directly to the profile memory 4 or indirectly to the profile memory 4 via the authentication module 3. The general purpose processor 2 may be a central processing unit, ASIC, FPGA or any similar programmable logic device. The general-purpose processor 2 may run a UICC-specific operating system for operating the UICC. The general-purpose processor 2 may be specifically configured to access one or more profiles P1, P2.

Profiles (e.g., profiles P1, P2., Pn) within the meaning of the present invention may be any combination of file structures, data, and applications provided on the UICC 1. For example, profiles P1, P2., Pn may include profiles that provide for enabling the mobile communication device to access the mobile communication network. For example, profiles P1, P2.., Pn may include subscription profiles that enable the mobile communication device to access telecommunications and related services provided in the mobile communication network.

For example, the profiles P1, P2.., Pn may also comprise test profiles, enabling testing of a mobile communication device employing the UICC1 under (virtual) operating conditions and comparing observed behaviour with predetermined operational profiles. The test profile may be configured to: responding to the test and analysis signals and values input from an external tester; reporting differences in output system and UICC characteristics; and generating a record file for the test system to read.

The general-purpose processor 2 may be configured to select one of the profiles P1, P2.., Pn (in particular, the test profile) as the activated profile of the UICC 1. To this end, the general-purpose processor 2 may be connected to a control interface 7, the control interface 7 being configured to receive an external control signal C in order to determine which of the profiles P1, P2. The general-purpose processor 2 may access the profile memory 4 and retrieve one of the profiles P1, P2. The general-purpose processor 2 may also access the profile memory 4 in order to change one of the existing profiles P1, P2.., Pn, delete one of the existing profiles P1, P2.., Pn, or store a completely new profile in the profile memory 4.

The profiles P1, P2.., Pn may be stored in an encrypted format in the profile memory 4. Thus, the authentication module 3 may be configured to authenticate any profile, for example by using an authentication key specific to the UICC1, in order to store it in the profile memory 4. Such a UICC-specific key may for example be stored in a key storage module 5, the key storage module 5 being connected to the authentication module 3, the authentication module 3 having read access to the key storage module 5 in order to obtain the authentication key. The authentication module 3 may also be controlled by the general-purpose processor 2 to decrypt any encryption profiles P1, P2.

When authenticated and possibly decrypted, the retrieved profile P1, P2.., Pn may be set as the active profile in the general purpose processor 2. Depending on the active profile and its content, the general-purpose processor 2 may configure the function manager 6 in order to define the current scope of the functions of the UICC 1. The function manager 6 may be coupled to the general purpose processor 2 and/or the authentication module 3 and may provide the corresponding functions of the UICC1 through the access interface 8 of the UICC 1.

For example, if the general purpose processor 2 obtains a test profile from the profile memory 4 and places the UICC1 in a test mode, the function manager 6 may provide test access in a test environment to test equipment external to the UICC 1. If the general purpose processor 2 obtains a subscription profile from the profile memory 4, the function manager 6 may provide access functions to the UICC1, which enables a mobile communication device employing the UICC1 to access communications and related services provided in a mobile communication network.

The number of profiles P1, P2, Pn stored in the profile memory 4 is generally not limited. Furthermore, the profiles P1, P2.., Pn may be transmitted to the general-purpose processor 2 for storage in the profile memory 4 Over The Air (OTA) and/or via a broadband transmission line (e.g., a USB interface). The profiles P1, P2., Pn to be stored in the profile memory 4 may be transmitted in an encrypted format such that the authentication module 3 only needs to verify the correctness of the encryption before storing the transmitted profiles P1, P2., Pn in the profile memory 4.

Figure 2 schematically shows a mobile communications device 10, such as a smartphone, tablet or machine-to-machine (M2M) device, employing the UICC 1. The UICC1 can be removably plugged into a physical socket of the mobile communication device 10. Alternatively, the UICC1 may be an eUICC that is integrally and non-removably embedded in the mobile communication device 10. The mobile communication device 10 may include a UICC manager module 13, which manager module 13 is coupled to various interfaces of the UICC1, such as the access interface 8 of the UICC 1. The UICC manager module 13 may also be coupled to the general purpose processor 2 of the UICC1 via the control interface 7.

The mobile communication device 10 may further comprise a terminal processor 11 and a terminal memory 12, the processor 11 and the terminal memory 12 being connected to each other and both the processor 11 and the terminal memory 12 being connected to the UICC manager module 13. The terminal processor 11 may be configured to control the operation of the mobile communications device 10 in accordance with information provided by the UICC1 via the UICC manager module 13. Some access information or subscriber-specific data may be temporarily stored in the terminal memory 12 in order to perform the required functions of the mobile communication device 10.

Mobile communication devices, such as the mobile communication device 10, may need to be tested after manufacture and before shipping in order to ensure proper functionality. Many of the required functions of the mobile communication device 10 may then depend on the interaction of the mobile communication device 10 with external devices and networks, in particular on the operating state of the mobile communication device 10 and the profile set in the UICC1 of the mobile communication device 10.

Since the UICC1 typically accommodates data items specific to the user or subscriber of the mobile communication device 10, testing such functionality is not entirely possible without activating the subscriber-specific UICC 1. Such premature activation of the subscriber-specific profile in the UICC1 before the subscriber obtains the mobile communication device 10 is undesirable. To address these issues, a test system for testing communication-related functions of the mobile communication device 10 may use a test profile of the UICC1 that mimics subscriber-specific information but does not bind to any particular subscriber.

Such a test profile of the UICC1 may provide enhanced access to the functionality of the mobile communication device 10, allowing the test system to measure specific performance characteristics of the mobile communication device 10, e.g. measuring RSSI under certain simulated test conditions or under an encryption scheme during mobile communication with an external base station. The test profile may be pre-stored in the profile memory 4 of the UICC1 or, additionally or alternatively, the test profile may be transferred to the mobile communication device, and thus to the UICC1, during the test procedure in the test system and only for that period of time.

Figures 3 and 4 schematically show a test system 20 that may be used to perform tests on one or more Devices Under Test (DUTs), such as a mobile communication device 10 having a built-in or interpolated UICC 1. In particular, test system 20 may be configured and adapted to perform the illustrated test method M1, explained in conjunction with FIG. 5 below. In general, the test system 20 may employ a test front end module 21 operatively connected to one or more mobile communication devices 10. The test system 20 further comprises a test controller 23, the test controller 23 being connected to the test front-end module 21, the test controller 23 being connected to each mobile communication device 10 under test.

The test front-end module 21 may generally include one or more Vector Signal Generators (VSGs) for generating and outputting test signals to the mobile communication device 10, the mobile communication device 10 being operatively connected to the test front-end module 20. In addition, the test front-end module 21 may include one or more Vector Signal Analyzers (VSAs) for receiving, filtering and evaluating test response signals from the mobile communication device 10 that are responsive to one of the test signals output by the VSG. In particular, the test front-end module 21 may simulate a base station of a mobile communication network in order to test the appropriate functionality of the connected mobile communication device 10 with respect to network provisioning, network access and network communication.

As shown in the example configuration of fig. 3, the test front-end module 21 may have a broadband test equipment interface 22, by which broadband test equipment interface 22 the mobile communication device 10 may be connected to the test front-end module 21, e.g. via

RF cables

22a, 22 b. The test controller 23 of fig. 3 may also be connected to the mobile communication device 10 by a cable 23a in order to set up the mobile communication device 10 for testing purposes.

Unlike the example configuration of fig. 3, test system 20 shown in fig. 4 may employ an RF interface 24, and RF interface 24 may communicate wirelessly ("over the air") OTA with mobile communication device 10, for example, using wireless communication 1 b. The RF interface 24 may be, for example, an NFC interface, an RFID interface, a UWB interface, a,

An interface or any similar interface type.

In the test system 20, the test controller 23 is configured to wire-send a control signal C to the mobile communication device 10 in order to request the general-purpose processor 2 of the UICC1 in the mobile communication device 10 to select and activate a test profile for the test procedure in the test system 20. The test profiles to be selected and activated can be pre-stored in the profile memory 4 of the UICC 1. Alternatively, the test controller 23 may transmit a specific test profile of the test system 20 to the mobile communication device 10. The particular test profile transmitted by the test controller 23 may be transmitted, for example, via a broadband transmission line 23a, as shown in fig. 3. Alternatively, the specific test profile may be transmitted by the test controller 23 via a wireless communication link 1a provided between the mobile communication device 10 and the test controller 23.

Fig. 3 and 4 do not specifically show details of test front-end module 21 and test controller 23, it being understood that the configuration of test front-end module 21 may be different depending on the type and nature of DUT 10 and the tests to be performed. In particular, the test profile of the UICC1 may be specifically adapted to the test system 20, in particular to the type of test performed by the test front-end module 21. The security level of the test profile of UICC1 during the test procedure may be: only the test controller 23 of the test system 20 may provide a corresponding authentication key for the authentication module 3 of the UICC1 for authentication to activate the test profile.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a proceeding stage of a testing method M1 for testing a mobile communication device, in particular the mobile communication device 10 shown and explained in connection with fig. 2. In particular, the mobile communication device 10 to be tested with the test method M1 may employ a UICC, such as the UICC1 shown and explained in connection with fig. 1. Test method M1 may be performed using test system 20 of fig. 3 and/or 4. Advantageously, the test method M1 may be used for testing a mobile communication device as a Device Under Test (DUT) in a functional test for accessing, provisioning and using a mobile communication network.

In test method M1, a first step M11 may optionally be performed: the test profile is transmitted by the test controller 23 of the test system 20 to the profile memory 4 of the UICC 1. For example, the test profile may be transmitted to the UICC1 in an encrypted format, e.g. via a wireless communication link 1a or via a wired connection 23a between the mobile communication device 10 and the test controller 23.

If the test profile is transmitted to the UICC1, the test profile may be stored in the configuration memory 4 of the UICC 1. Alternatively, the test profile may have been previously stored in the profile memory 4. Then, a second step M12 of the test method M1 involves activating, for the mobile communication device 10 employing the UICC1, a test profile stored in the profile memory 4 of the UICC 1. Before activation, the test profile may be authenticated by the authentication module 3 of the UICC1 in order to ensure that the transmitted or pre-stored test profile is indeed verified by the test system. Such authentication may be performed, for example, by using a UICC-specific authentication key stored in the key storage module 5 of the UICC 1. The authentication module 3 may read the UICC-specific authentication key and authenticate the test profile before activation.

In a third step M13, the configuration of the mobile communication device 10 may be set to a test mode according to the information of the activated test profile of the UICC1, so that a fourth step M14 allows performing operational tests of the mobile communication device 10 using the test front end module 21 of the test system 20. These operational tests may be performed when the configuration of the mobile communication device 10 is set to a test mode.

The data structure and data content of the test profile may be specifically adapted to the test procedure to be performed by the test front-end module 21 of the test system 20. In particular, the test profile may simulate a variety of communication conditions that the mobile communication device 10 may be subjected to in an actual environment, such as fading conditions, noise effects, or base station handoffs. These conditions may be evaluated in the test system 20 by eliciting a response of the mobile communication device 10 to a particular test signal under different conditions defined by the test profile.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, the connections between elements shown and described in connection with the figures may be of a type used to transfer signals between corresponding nodes, units or devices, e.g., via intermediate devices. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, such a connection may be, for example, a direct connection or an indirect connection.

Because the apparatus implementing the present invention is, for the most part, composed of electronic components and circuits known to those skilled in the art, details of the circuits and their components have not been described in any greater extent than that considered necessary as illustrated for the understanding and appreciation of the underlying concepts of the present invention and in order not to obfuscate or distract from the teachings of the present invention.

Furthermore, the invention is not limited to physical devices or units implemented as non-programmable hardware, but can also be applied in programmable devices or units able to perform the required device functions, by operating in accordance with suitable program code. Further, the apparatus may be physically distributed over a plurality of devices while functionally operating as a single apparatus. Multiple devices functionally forming a stand-alone device may be integrated into a single physical device. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the boundaries between logical or functional blocks are merely illustrative and that alternative embodiments may merge logical or functional blocks or impose an alternate decomposition of functionality upon various logical or functional blocks.

In this description, any reference signs shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the terms "a" or "an," as used herein, are defined as one or more. Furthermore, the use of introductory phrases such as "at least one" and "one or more" in the claims should not be construed to imply that the introduction of an element by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" to another claim limits any particular claim containing such introduced element to inventions containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes both the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an". The same holds true for the use of definite articles. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. The order in which method steps are presented in the claims does not harm the order in which the steps are actually performed, unless explicitly stated in the claims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the depiction of selected elements in the figures is merely intended to assist in improving an understanding of the function and arrangement of such elements in the various embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, well-known elements that are used or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in the drawings in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. It will also be appreciated that some of the procedural stages of the method may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence, but those skilled in the art will recognize that such relative ordering is not necessarily required in practice.

Claims

1. A test method (M1) of testing a mobile communication device (10), the test method (M1) comprising:

activating (M12) a test profile stored in a profile memory (4) of the UICC (1) for a mobile communication device (10) having a Universal Integrated Circuit card UICC (1) built-in or inserted therein; the test profile mimics subscriber-specific information but does not bind any particular subscriber;

-setting (M13) the configuration of the mobile communication device (10) to a test mode according to the information of the activated test profile of the UICC (1) before testing the mobile communication device (10); and

when the configuration of the mobile communication device (10) is set to a test mode, performing (M14) an operational test on the mobile communication device (10) using a test front-end module (21) of a test system (20), the operational test being dependent on an operational state of the mobile communication device (10) and a test profile in the UICC (1).

2. The test method (M1) of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting (M11) the test profile to a profile memory (4) of the UICC (1) by a test controller (23) of the test system (20).

3. The test method (M1) according to claim 2, wherein the test profile is transmitted to the UICC (1) in an encrypted format.

4. The test method (M1) according to one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the transmission (M11) of the test profile is performed between the mobile communication device (10) and the test controller (23) via a wireless communication link (1a) or via a wired connection (23 a).

5. A test method (M1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the test profile is authenticated by an authentication module (3) of the UICC (1) before activation.

6. A test method (M1) according to claim 5, wherein the authentication module (3) authenticates the test profile by using a UICC-specific authentication key stored in a key storage module (5) of the UICC (1).

7. A universal integrated circuit card UICC (1), comprising:

a profile memory (4) configured to store one or more operational profiles (P1, P2, …, Pn); and

a general purpose processor (2) coupled to the profile memory (4) and configured to access one or more of the operational profiles (P1, P2, …, Pn) stored in the profile memory (4),

wherein at least one operational profile (P1, P2, …, Pn) comprises a test profile including a test configuration of the mobile communication device, said test profile mimicking subscriber-specific information but not binding any particular subscriber, the operational test performed on the mobile communication device (10) using a test front-end module (21) of a test system (20) being dependent on the operational state of the mobile communication device (10) and the test profile in the UICC (1), and

wherein the general purpose processor (2) is configured to activate the test profile upon receiving a control signal (C) from a test controller (23) of a test system (20); -setting the configuration of the mobile communication device (10) to a test mode according to the information of the activated test profile of the UICC (1) before testing said mobile communication device (10).

8. The UICC (1) of claim 7, further comprising:

an authentication module (3) coupled between the general processor (2) and the profile memory (4) and configured to authenticate the operational profiles (P1, P2, …, Pn) to be stored in the profile memory (4).

9. The UICC (1) of claim 8, further comprising:

a key storage module (5) coupled to the authentication module (3) and configured to store one or more UICC-specific keys for authenticating the operable profiles (P1, P2, …, Pn) stored in the profile memory (4).

10. The UICC (1) according to one of the claims 7 to 9, wherein the UICC (1) is an embedded universal integrated circuit card, eUICC (1), embedded within the mobile communication device (10).

11. A mobile communication device (10) comprising:

a UICC (1) according to one of claims 7 to 10; and

a UICC manager module (13) coupled with an access interface (8) of the UICC (1).