Single instrument test streamlines R&D for LTE / 5G testing, says Anritsu
Over-the-air (OTA) measurements for 5G mobile terminals are now possible using an OTA chamber and a single instrument, Anritsu’s MT8000A.
Anritsu and Swedish company Bluetest have established a partnership where they have worked together on LTE / 5G FR1 (Sub-6GHz band) and FR2 (mmWave) CATR OTA measurements using Bluetest’s RTS65 OTA reverberation test system.
Generally, a separate call box MT8821C was required for LTE OTA measurements, but now LTE, 5G FR1 and 5G FR2 measurements can be made using just one OTA chamber and a single instrument, the Anritsu MT8000A. This results in lower costs for LTE / 5G terminal developers as well as for operator specific Carrier Acceptance Tests (CAT) in an LTE / 5G OTA test environment, said Anritsu. In addition, the unified smaller system saves laboratory space.
The single test uses the Anritsu MT8000A and MT8821C (now optional) and Bluetest RTS65. The Radio Communication Test Station MT8000A is a 5G test platform supporting RF parametric and protocol tests, functional, and application tests and validation of beam characteristics. It supports standalone and non-standalone mode basestation emulation functions for the development of LTE / 5G chipsets and devices supporting both FR1 and FR2. The MT8000A is used for conducted and OTA tests to evaluate the performance of LTE / 5G devices.
Bluetest’s RTS65 OTA reverberation test system optimises the time required for OTA measurements and supports 5G MIMO measurements on FR1 and FR2, including the 28- and 39GHz mmWave bands. Its design, with both RIMP (rich isotropic multi-path) and CATR (compact antenna test range) environments, allows for multi-carrier MIMO measurements as well as directional measurements on FR2. Additionally, the built-in measurement computer with touchscreen interface helps simplify measurement results control and monitoring.
Bluetest of Gothenburg, Sweden claims to be the market leader in wireless equipment and small antenna OTA tests using its reverberation test system. Bluetest’s technology is used by mobile phone makers, communications carriers and antenna makers.
Anritsu has developed communications test and measurement solutions for 125 years. It engages customers to help develop wireless, optical, microwave / RF and digital solutions for R&D, manufacturing, installation and maintenance applications. It also provides precision microwave / RF components, optical devices and high-speed electrical devices for communication products and systems. The company develops advanced solutions for 5G, M2M, IoT, as well as other emerging and legacy wireline and wireless communication markets.
