Achieve Ultrafast mmWave OTA Validation Test
Engineers working on new 5G mmWave Antenna-in-Module (AiM) device validation must characterize beamforming performance over the air (OTA). With no access to traditional connectorized test ports to assess device performance, they need to configure and run detailed 3D spatial sweeps within a carefully controlled RF environment. Conducting these spatial sweeps can be extremely time consuming and expensive to perform.
A solution for mmWave OTA validation of beamforming devices must meet the following requirements:
- Provide a cost-effective, quiet, and carefully controlled OTA test environment that includes enough link budget while minimizing measurement uncertainty
- Accommodate devices under test (DUTs) of various sizes, from small AiMs with a few antenna elements to system-level designs with larger antenna arrays
- Give engineers fast and detailed measurement results and plots
- Simplify and speed up the process of configuring and running extensive, automated OTA test sequences
5G mmWave OTA Validation Reference Architecture
- Reduce OTA validation times from hours to minutes by sweeping the 3D space in a continuous motion, using the PXI platform to synchronize the DUT positioner with the RF generation and analysis engine.
- Obtain reliable narrowband and wideband (5G NR) OTA measurements, such as EIRP, TRP, and beam characteristics. Also acquire and visualize spatial results for EVM, ACLR, CHP, and SEM, using 3GPP-compliant 5G waveforms and channel bandwidths.
- Optimize link budget and measurement coverage for various types of antenna modules and beamforming system designs by converting the OTA chamber into a compact antenna test range (CATR) featuring a 20 cm quiet zone.
- Easily configure extensive spatial sweeps to characterize DUT antenna patterns while rapidly producing, visualizing, storing, or distributing detailed parametric results using NI’s mmWave OTA Validation Software.
NI mmWave 5G Over-the-Air Validation Test Reference Architecture
NI 5G mmWave Over-the-Air Validation Reference Architecture
Learn how the NI 5G mmWave OTA Validation reference architecture speeds up detailed and accurate validation of antenna patterns by five times or more.
Solution Advantages
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Real-time, hardware-accelerated DUT positioner control for sampling thousands of points per minute (Azimuth and elevation)
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Fast 3D EVM, ACLR, CHP, and SEM spatial results with the high-bandwidth mmWave Vector Signal Transceiver, using 3GPP-compliant 5G waveforms
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Cost-optimized, high-isolation, low-loss CATR chamber for minimal signal interference and improved link budget
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mmWave OTA Validation Software enables interactive use and rapid automation
Build Your Solution with the NI Ecosystem
NI offers a variety of solution integration options customized to your application-specific requirements. You can use your own internal integration teams for full system control or leverage the expertise of NI and our worldwide NI Partner Network to obtain a turnkey solution.
The NI Partner Network is a global community of domain, application, and overall test development experts working closely with NI to meet the needs of the engineering community. NI Partners are trusted solution providers, systems integrators, consultants, product developers, and services and sales channel experts skilled across a wide range of industries and application areas.
NI partners with you throughout the life cycle of your application by delivering training, technical support, consultation and integration services, and maintenance programs. Accelerate your learning with our company-specific and geographic user groups. Build proficiency with online and in-person training options.
mmWave OTA Validation Test Solution Brochure
Discover how to radically decrease OTA validation times and cost for mmWave AiM and system-level designs.
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