ETS-LINDGREN'S MODEL AMS-8700 MIMO OTA TEST SYSTEM allows repeatable measurement of radiated performance of wireless devices in a simulated multi-path environment. The system acts as an RF environment simulator that can generate spatial field structures similar to those seen in a wide range of real-world scenarios. Standard conducted channel models can be adapted to equivalent radiated spatial channel models for evaluation of the entire device signal chain, including antennas, device platform, and near field phantom (head, hands, etc.) impact on device performance. The simulated environment is suitable for evaluation of downlink MIMO performance for emerging wireless technologies such as LTE, WiMAX, and 802.11n Wi-Fi as well as receive diversity performance of existing wireless technologies.
The system consists of a dual polarized antenna array in an absorber lined fully-anechoic chamber connected to technology specific communication test equipment through a spatial channel emulator. The anechoic chamber provides isolation from interference and reflections in the real-world environment and eliminates unwanted reflections within the test environment. The antenna array transmits downlink signals from a range of angles of arrival (AoA) simulating the scattered reflections seen by a wireless device in normal operation. The spatial channel emulator uses specially modified spatial channel models to feed each antenna in the array with a statistical sampling of the source signal(s) with appropriate Doppler and delay spreads to emulate the scattering effect of fixed and moving objects within the simulated environment. A positioning system allows the wireless device under test (DUT) to be rotated through the generated field structure to determine its relative performance in different orientations within the simulated environment.
ETS-Lindgren’s EMQuest EMQ-108 MIMO OTA Test Option adds a suite of test capabilities to the EMQuest EMQ-100 Antenna Measurement Software. These include specialized tests for evaluating the throughput of a wireless device in the simulated environment, as well as R&D tests to allow evaluation of antenna correlation, along with system calibration and validation tests.
The baseline system configuration provides a simulated environment suitable for testing typical wireless handsets. Optional configurations are available to increase the uncorrelated field volume. Optional system components add support for antenna pattern measurement and traditional SISO Total Radiated Power (TRP) and Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS) testing of wireless devices. An optional theta axis array and high speed switch matrix allows for high speed* antenna pattern measurement and TRP/TIS testing.
In 2002, ETS-Lindgren designed and installed the industry’s first CTIA Authorized Test Lab (CATL) .Today, over 75% of all CATL’s worldwide are equipped with wireless test systems manufactured by ETS-Lindgren. The company maintains its leadership position through active participation in the industry standards committees that drive the performance testing of wireless devices, such as CTIA - The Wireless Association®, the WiMAX Forum® and 3GPP.