A 5G FR1 Over-The-Air test system has gained CTIA certification for Global Navigation Satellite System antenna performance
The R&S TS8991 from Rohde & Schwarz has been approved by Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) Certification for testing 5G A-GNSS antenna performance. This marks a significant milestone that establishes the R&S TS8991 as the first 5G FR1 A-GNSS OTA test solution to be approved by CTIA Certification.
The latest Test Plan for Wireless Device Over-the-Air (OTA) Performance Version 4.0.x from CTIA Certification added 5G FR1 EN-DC to the existing A-GPS L1 OTA specification.
The R&S tester is a turnkey system for meeting CTIA Certification OTA test requirements for 2G/3G A-GPS, 4G LTE A-GNSS and now also 5G A-GNSS. It consists of the CMX500 5G one-box signalling tester, the SMBV100B satellite simulator and an anechoic wireless performance test chamber (WPTC).
It features a high degree of system integration and is easily upgradeable. Every component is controlled using the R&S Contest software, allowing for fully automated OTA measurements.
The CMX500 is a one-box approach to the use of all mobile device testing applications. It supports transmitter and receiver RF parametric measurements as well as testing for data throughput, audio quality and battery life. The product is integrated into the R&S TS8991 antenna performance test system to provide signalling capabilities to a device under test (DUT) as well as to measure the receive sensitivity and transmit power.
The R&S SMBV100B is a satellite simulator that supports all major satellite navigation technologies and satellite constellations. With the R&S CMX500 location-based services, it supports all 3GPP-based Assisted GNSS technologies – GNSS is the Global Navigation Satellite System.
Anechoic Chamber
The R&S WPTC OTA Test Chamber is a high-performance OTA anechoic test chamber available in a range of chamber sizes for different testing needs.
The anechoic chamber is a key component of the OTA test system, the aim of which is to create an environment that yields not only accurate, but repeatable and reproducible measurements. Some of the main differentiators of the anechoic chamber are the pan-type shielding approach, the doors and the absorbers.
Pan-type shielding is used for WPTCs where stainless steel shielding panels are cut, bent and punched to standard sized dimensions. Panels are bolted and all connections use high-performance RF wire mesh or gasket material.
This approach offers superior shielding effectiveness with typical results of 100 dB and better. This performance is sustained over the long term since the shielding performance is not impacted by changes in seasons, temperatures or humidity.
The shielded doors are built into side panels using the pan type shielding approach. The doors consist of a metal frame, contact springs and metal door leaf, which has the advantage that opening and closing the door has a self-cleaning effect on the contact surfaces.
For OTA chambers, the WAVASORB VHP absorbers are used. This solid, pyramidal shaped, carbon-loaded, urethane foam absorber provides the highest broadband performance of all known absorber types at both normal incidence angles and at wide incidence angles.
Range of Testing
According to Christoph Pointner, Senior Vice President of Radio Mobile Testers and Test Systems at Rohde & Schwarz, the company is committed to providing customers with reliable, high-performance Over The Air test systems that meet a wide range of different testing needs.
“This is why we are thrilled that the R&S TS8991 is the first 5G FR1 A GNSS OTA test solution approved by CTIA Certification. They are equipped with Rohde & Schwarz instrumentation and software ensuring optimal performance and seamless system integration,” he says.
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