Test & Measurement

Active antenna arrays with beamforming capabilities are a key technology for establishing links between satellite terminals and end devices on the ground. At European Microwave Week (EuMW) 2023 in Berlin, Rohde & Schwarz and IMST will showcase a test chamber for over-the-air (OTA) measurements of electrically large beamforming antenna arrays for satellite communications (satcomms) applications.

The ATS1800C CATR (compact antenna test range) -based test chamber can be used for characterising active antenna arrays for satcomms applications.

New satellite constellations in low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO) or geostationary orbit (GEO) allow uninterrupted connectivity on land at sea and in the air which will enable new services such as global tracking, the IoT, remote sensing or non-terrestrial networks (NTN).

Rohde & Schwarz has partnered with IMST for a demonstration of satcomms terminal testing at EuMW 2023. Testing the performance of satellite terminal systems and components with appropriate signals under realistic OTA conditions is crucial. Satcom infrastructure size, form factor, weight and performance are all challenging for SATCOM terminal manufacturers. The ATS1800C is designed to characterise an IMST Santana IV antenna array module. It has a CATR reflector that creates a large quiet zone for much higher measurement certainty relative to other solutions, said Rohde & Schwarz. 

The ZNA vector network analyser can test and characterise devices under test. The R&S AMS32 software measures technical parameters such as magnitude and phase of far field and near field distributions, as well as metrics such as error vector magnitude (EVM) to characterise the digitally-modulated transceiver performance.

The Santana IV module (FKZ 50RK1925) is a smart antenna terminal designed by IMST. It is equipped with electronically controlled antenna beam steering that allows the beam shape and pointing direction to be electronically adjusted without any moving mechanical parts. The TX antenna array has 64 elements that support dual linear or circular polarisation. The array was designed for an operating frequency range from 29.5 to 30GHz, which can be used for applications such satcom on the move. The single 64-element module can be used as a base module for larger arrays.

Visitors can see the active antenna array testing at the Rohde & Schwarz stand H105 of Messe Berlin Hub27 at EuMW 2023 (19 to 21 September).

http://www.rohde-schwarz.com 

Claimed to bring greater efficiency to data throughput tests on 5G user equipment, the SmartStudio NR IP Performance MX800071A software for Anritsu’s radio communication test station MT8000A has been released.

5G provides the last-mile link from the nearest basestation to the subscriber’s building in services such as fixed wireless access (FWA). Anritsu said it developed the MX800071A to simplify and optimise data throughput tests required for developing 5G based customer premises equipment (CPE) used for FWA.

As remote working increases, together with a rise in home entertainment, high speed, large capacity communications applications such as FWA are gaining in popularity. Development of CPE for FWA, and of wireless communication modules built into CPE, requires data throughput testing using various sets of communication parameters. Developers face difficulties, however, with settings that require specialist knowledge, which can reduce the efficiency of the development process and raise its costs. Anritsu said that the MX800071A simplifies and optimises complex parameter settings, helping increase the efficiency of tests.

It works with the base station simulator to configure a 4G and 5G SA/NSA radio environment for testing data throughput. The interface allows for the set up of test parameters which eliminate the need for specialist knowledge of complex protocols.

In addition, the MX800071A has been tested with a wide range of 4G and 5G modem chipsets and wireless communication modules, and provides connectivity with most 4G and 5G user equipment.

Anritsu Corporation has provided communications test and measurement solutions for 125 years and today engages customers developing wireless, optical, microwave/RF, and digital solutions for R&D, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance applications, as well as multi-dimensional service assurance solutions for network monitoring and optimisation. Anritsu 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. Anritsu has offices around the world and employees in over 90 countries.

http://www.anritsu.com