MIMO OTA Testing in Small Multiprobe Anechoic Chamber Setups | IEEE Journals & Magazine | IEEE Xplore

MIMO OTA Testing in Small Multiprobe Anechoic Chamber Setups


Abstract:

Over-the-air (OTA) testing of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO)-capable terminals is often performed in large anechoic chambers, where planar waves impinging the test...Show More

Abstract:

Over-the-air (OTA) testing of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO)-capable terminals is often performed in large anechoic chambers, where planar waves impinging the test area are assumed. Furthermore, reflections from the chamber and probe coupling are often considered negligible due to the large dimensions of the chamber. This letter investigates the feasibility of reducing the physical dimension of 2-D multiprobe anechoic chamber setups for MIMO OTA testing, with the purpose of reducing the cost and space of the setup. In the letter, a channel emulation algorithm and chamber compensation technique are proposed for MIMO OTA testing in small anechoic chambers. The performance deterioration in a small anechoic chamber, i.e., with a ring radius of 0.5 m, is demonstrated via simulations.
Page(s): 1167 - 1170
Date of Publication: 03 November 2015

ISSN Information:

Department of Electronic Systems, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
Department of Electronic Systems, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
Department of Electronic Systems, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark

I. Introduction

The purpose of over-the-air (OTA) testing is to assess the performance of wireless devices including antenna performance. Multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO)-capable devices should be tested under realistic channel conditions, so that their true performance is assessed. The multiprobe anechoic chamber (MPAC) method is a promising solution to achieve this. In this method, a number of source antennas, referred to as probe antennas, are placed inside an anechoic chamber surrounding the device under test (DUT). Through the use of a channel emulator connected to the probe antennas, various spatial channels can be created [1]. The main disadvantage of the MPAC method is its cost. A sufficient number of probe antennas is required to accurately emulate the channel, which leads to costly designs [2]. In addition, the radius of the ring where the probes are placed is typically assumed to be sufficiently large so that waves radiated from the probe antennas are planar in the test area. Typical ring radius in practical OTA setups reported in the literature is, for example, 2 m in Aalborg University and ETS-Lindgren setups, to name a few [3]. A large multiprobe setup and consequently a large anechoic chamber are often cost-prohibitive.

Department of Electronic Systems, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
Department of Electronic Systems, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
Department of Electronic Systems, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark

References

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