Testing IoT Devices
The Importance of Reliable IoT Device Connections
Have you ever experienced unreliable or inconsistent internet connection when using IoT devices, or had your IoT applications not working consistently? The possible causes of these problems could have likely been solved at the design and manufacturing process, before the commercial release, by confirming the wireless connection performance under the actual use condition.
IoT devices connect to the network by communicating via other devices (node, access points such as routers, and then to base stations). Various factors in the field can make wireless communications unstable, which causes IoT devices to retransmit data frequently to try to maintain connection. If re-transmission frequency exceeds a certain level, the connection may be difficult to establish or maintain, and the expected communication speed may not be achieved. Consequently, the IoT device power consumption may increase and reduce battery life. In other words, even when a wireless connection is confirmed at the access point (AP), there is still a real possibility of hidden communications problems following product design and manufacture. If these hidden problems are allowed to continue, communications issues may continue to occur more frequently, depending on how the product is used by the end user under the actual environment.
What Is the “Wireless Communications Quality” of IoT Devices?
Implementing wireless communications functionality in IoT devices requires developers to have wireless technology knowledge and experience. However, since that requires a lot of time, one of the easiest ways to solve this challenge is to use the wireless modules already in the marketplace to integrate into IoT products. Wireless modules in the marketplace are designed to support wireless features and the module suppliers guarantee their products’ conformance to wireless standards and regulations. However, the communications quality of the wireless modules and the actual finished IoT devices in which these modules are installed is not always equal. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as RF attenuation in actual environment, presence of other wireless devices, RF reflections and interference inside the device.
In other words, the “wireless communications quality” of IoT devices means the quality in the actual usage environment.
Details: Assuring IoT Device Communications Quality >
Please also check on the additional resources from the menu for the further information.
How to Assure “Wireless Communications Quality” of IoT Devices?
Following are some of the common challenges and considerations in assuring wireless communications quality.
Use Case Challenges
Home Electronics & Appliances
RF Components, such as Antennas and Power Amplifiers
What is expected of the RF components in actual 5G use cases?
RF components are one of the key aspects in determining the features of IoT devices. In order to enhance the wireless technology and the complicated wireless functionality, the verification at the RF components level, rather than at the finished product level, is no longer sufficient to ensure IoT device quality.
CPE/FWA Devices
Why do we need to verify the product performance after embedding the modules and antennas?
Wireless technology is complex, which is why it is necessary to confirm the performance of the finished products, as it might not satisfy the communication standards and regulations even if a wireless communications module itself does. As key factors for CPE/FWA devices, confirming the peak throughput performance and thermal status is very important.
Construction and Agricultural Equipment
Is the outdoor connectivity verified?
IoT also supports the ability to remotely control equipment or collecting real-time data. But IoT device vendors need to consider that their devices always have the possibility of increased performance quality risks in outdoor environments due to the presence of various types of RF signals. These RF signals may include signals that interfere with communication, which is why it is necessary to consider the suitable wireless communications performance for actual usage while still in the lab.
Is the delay in response time within the acceptable range?
Remote control sometimes requires fast response time to guarantee accurate and sometimes critical operations. The delay of data packet transmission may create an unduly stressful work environment which may increase the risk of accidents.
Smart Factories
Is the connectivity with production equipment verified?
Smart factories, one of the hot topics in “Industry 5.0”, require simultaneous and massive connections to many pieces of production machinery, sensors, and various types of equipment and devices for gathering real-time data. For example, when using wireless LAN, the increased simultaneous access may deteriorate the ease of connection due to external noise and large packets being retransmitted at signal. This raises the necessity to consider the most appropriate wireless communications standard for the actual site.
VR/AR/MR Goggles, using Large Data Traffic in Real Time
Is the throughput sufficient?
XR technology can improve performance in several use-case, such as entertainment and remote assist. XR products need to provide stable connection with high-definition, high-frame rate video transmission to deliver the improved performance. If an XR product’s communications quality deteriorates on occasion, the end user may not receive the expected entertainment quality, causing disappointment with the product and possible loss of future sales for the company.
Have we verified the connection stability?
For the VR devices, sudden movements can increase latency, so it is necessary to confirm whether the connection remains stable.
Smart Meters and Power Grids
Have we secured low power consumption?
Low power consumption is best for products with low data traffic and infrequent communications. Confirming the actual power consumption under the real use conditions is also recommended to ensure quality by keeping the battery life longer. The IoT device vendors select the suitable wireless technology and take care to design their products with the low power consumption needs in mind. That’s why most IoT products are designed to realize minimized data transmission period. If an IoT product has some issues and starts to frequently retransmit data, this may become critical a issue that shortens battery life.
Please also check on the additional resources from the menu for the further information.
Standards-related Challenges
It is important to select the appropriate standards by understanding and evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each standard. This will help avoid unexpected and costly challenges related to equipment and services.
Manufacturing Stage Challenges (Planning, Design and Development, Production, Inspection)
Planning
Choose the appropriate communications standard based on the knowledge of the usage environment and take the necessary measures to comply with the legal requirements.
Investigate the RF related legislation for the equipment usage location and the communications standard you selected, and be sure to obtain the necessary permissions and licenses.
Details: Laws and standards to be followed by IoT devices >
Production and Inspection
More IoT Resources
Broadband Communications and 5G Technologies for the Post COVID-19 Pandemic Era
This white paper introduces the current market trend for rolling out the fixed 5G wireless communications services.
Click Here to Download
Poster
Key Technical Aspects of 5G-NR
With the current worldwide 5G rollout, this poster outlines the key aspects and the latest trends of 5G technology.
Click Here to Download
Video
5G Video Quality Test
This short video introduces the 5G video quality test solution, developed by Anritsu in partnership with Spirent Communications.
WATCH VIDEO
Poster
Key Technology and Physical layer Test Specifications for IoT
IoT is expected to support a wide range of applications. This poster lists the key technologies and RF measurements for each standard supporting IoT use cases.
Click Here to Download
What are common RF test methods for IoT?
This white paper covers several mission-critical IoT applications. Finally, next-generation test solutions are presented along with the “hidden” bottom-line benefits that specific test equipment can provide.
Click Here to Download
What are the required wireless evaluations for IoT devices?
This white paper introduces the IoT applications not covered by the conventional framework, the general wireless evaluation methods, and testing challenges and solutions for IoT devices.
Click Here to Download
Please also check on the additional resources from the menu for the further information.
LTE, LTE Cat-M1, NB-IoT
Verifies RF TRx characteristics for development of products with LTE, LTE Cat-M1, NB-IoT R&D into mobile devices, with its easy-to-use measurement functions.
Radio Communication Analyzer MT8821C >
Bluetooth®
Supports RF tests of Bluetooth® modules and devices with a wide applications range from R&D to manufacturing test.
Bluetooth Test Set MT8852B >
Related Pages
Bluetooth® v5.1 Test Solution >
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