Improved Anritsu 5G mmWave OTA test environment

19th October 2020

Alex Lynn

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Anritsu has launched its newly developed DUT Holder MA8179A-AK011 to increase the usability of its CATR Anechoic Chamber, the MA8172A 5G mmWave OTA test environment. The MA8179A-AK011 is a compact jig that allows the MA8172A to support the DUT (Device Under Test, eg smartphone or tablet), in the positions and orientations specified by the 3GPP Alignment Option 1/2/3.

Additionally, it both satisfies the Quality of Quiet Zone recommendation for the 3GPP RF/RRM Conformance Test, as well as simplifying test-terminal mounting/dismounting in the test chamber compared to earlier jig designs. The accuracy of the mounting enhances measurement and positional reproducibility.

5G mmWave (FR2) services are expected to become gradually more widespread, especially in developed economies, such as North America and Japan. This will lead to more development and certification testing of 5G mmWave terminals.

mmWave terminals must be tested in an OTA environment, but, due to the mmWave and OTA characteristics, obtaining reproducible test results is difficult unless the test terminal is mounted in the test equipment at exactly the same position each time. As a result, not only must terminal mounting and dismounting be easy, a highly reproducible mounting position is also key to obtaining good measurement results.

Moreover, accurate results can only be obtained if the best Alignment Option can be selected according to the terminal design and in particular the mmWave antenna position. The DUT Holder MA8179A-AK011 meets these requirements in a single product and facilitates the introduction of mmWave terminals to the market.

The DUT Holder MA8179A-AK011 is built into the CATR Anechoic Chamber MA8172A, which meets the 3GPP RF/RRM Conformance Test recommendations, as a fixed jig for test terminals and is mounted on the Positioner MA8179A to auto-control the test-terminal position.

Designed specifically for the Radio Communication Test Station MT8000A / New Radio RF Conformance Test System ME7873NR, the OTA chamber has excellent compatibility with 5G mmWave test equipment.