Abstract: Disclosed is a method of calibrating phase alignment of signals from multiple transmit antennas on multiple channels during OTA testing of a MIMO DUT, including generating a noisy test signal by adding noise to a signal pattern and transmitting the noisy test signal to the DUT on first and second channels OTA and sweeping a relative phase of the signal pattern, but not the added noise, in the first and second channels, while receiving from the DUT reports of a SNR for a received signal on at least one of the first channel and subsequently on the second channels. The method also includes analyzing variation in the SNR to determine phase alignment of the first and second channels, as received and processed by the DUT and using the determined phase alignment to perform OTA testing of the DUT. The method can also include receiving a RSRP and/or a RSSI.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of calibrating phase alignment of signals from multiple transmit antennas on multiple channels during OTA testing of a MIMO DUT, including generating a noisy test signal by adding noise to a signal pattern and transmitting the noisy test signal to the DUT on first and second channels OTA and sweeping a relative phase of the signal pattern, but not the added noise, in the first and second channels, while receiving from the DUT reports of a SNR for a received signal on at least one of the first channel and subsequently on the second channels. The method also includes analyzing variation in the SNR to determine phase alignment of the first and second channels, as received and processed by the DUT and using the determined phase alignment to perform OTA testing of the DUT. The method can also include receiving a RSRP and/or a RSSI.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods for conducted massive MIMO array testing uses an efficient method of utilizing hardware resources for emulating signals from a massive MIMO base station transceiver to a MIMO mobile unit as dictated by a channel model; and also for emulating signals from a MIMO mobile unit to a massive MIMO BS transceiver, as dictated by a channel model. The system uses a phase matrix combiner to emulate the angular behavior of the propagation using virtual probes, combined with a radio channel emulator to create the temporal, multipath, and correlation behavior of the propagation. Using a phase matrix function increases the number of antenna elements that can be utilized in a massive MIMO array emulation while keeping the required number of fading channels within the radio channel emulator at a reduced number, thus forming a cost effective, yet realistic test system for massive MIMO testing.

Abstract: The disclosed system for testing a massive MIMO beamforming antenna array of arbitrary size includes an anechoic chamber, and a mount for a MIMO array antenna positioned in the chamber, wherein the array has at least 8×4 antenna elements that are individually activated to steer transmissions from the array. The system includes dual element antenna probes positionable in the anechoic chamber, with feeds coupling one or more UE sources to the antenna probes; and the UE sources generate RF in OTA communication with the array, emulating multiple UE devices. Additionally the system includes base station electronics coupled to the array, and a test controller coupled to the base station electronics. The test controller signals the UE sources OTA via the array to invoke a connection to the UE sources and measure OTA channel performance between the array and the multiple UE devices emulated, the performance including at least throughput.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating and transmitting a test signal for an over-the-air test of a device-under-test that is in simulated motion. The method includes dithering Doppler shifts of a carrier frequency of the test signal on sub-path components of the test signal to produce slightly different frequencies per sub-path component, wherein the sub-path components are at a first and second polarization orientations. Dithering Doppler shifts can include dithering a first sub-path component at the first polarization orientation while keeping this sub-path component at the second polarization orientation at the original Doppler shift of the carrier frequency of the test signal, or keeping a first sub-path component at the first polarization orientation at the carrier frequency of the test signal while dithering this sub-path component at the second polarization orientation. Dithering Doppler shifts can include dithering sub-path components at the first and the second polarization orientation.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods for conducted massive MIMO array testing uses an efficient method of utilizing hardware resources for emulating signals from a massive MIMO base station transceiver to a MIMO mobile unit as dictated by a channel model; and also for emulating signals from a MIMO mobile unit to a massive MIMO BS transceiver, as dictated by a channel model. The system uses a phase matrix combiner to emulate the angular behavior of the propagation using virtual probes, combined with a radio channel emulator to create the temporal, multipath, and correlation behavior of the propagation. Using a phase matrix function increases the number of antenna elements that can be utilized in a massive MIMO array emulation while keeping the required number of fading channels within the radio channel emulator at a reduced number, thus forming a cost effective, yet realistic test system for massive MIMO testing.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods for conducted massive MIMO array testing uses an efficient method of utilizing hardware resources for emulating signals from a massive MIMO base station transceiver to a MIMO mobile unit as dictated by a channel model; and also for emulating signals from a MIMO mobile unit to a massive MIMO BS transceiver, as dictated by a channel model. The system uses a phase matrix combiner to emulate the angular behavior of the propagation using virtual probes, combined with a radio channel emulator to create the temporal, multipath, and correlation behavior of the propagation. Using a phase matrix function increases the number of antenna elements that can be utilized in a massive MIMO array emulation while keeping the required number of fading channels within the radio channel emulator at a reduced number, thus forming a cost effective, yet realistic test system for massive MIMO testing.

Abstract: The disclosed system for testing a massive MIMO beamforming antenna array of arbitrary size includes an anechoic chamber, and a mount for a MIMO array antenna positioned in the chamber, wherein the array has at least 8×4 antenna elements that are individually activated to steer transmissions from the array. The system includes dual element antenna probes positionable in the anechoic chamber, with feeds coupling one or more UE sources to the antenna probes; and the UE sources generate RF in OTA communication with the array, emulating multiple UE devices. Additionally the system includes base station electronics coupled to the array, and a test controller coupled to the base station electronics. The test controller signals the UE sources OTA via the array to invoke a connection to the UE sources and measure OTA channel performance between the array and the multiple UE devices emulated, the performance including at least throughput.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods for conducted massive MIMO array testing uses an efficient method of utilizing hardware resources for emulating signals from a massive MIMO base station transceiver to a MIMO mobile unit as dictated by a channel model; and also for emulating signals from a MIMO mobile unit to a massive MIMO BS transceiver, as dictated by a channel model. The system uses a phase matrix combiner to emulate the angular behavior of the propagation using virtual probes, combined with a radio channel emulator to create the temporal, multipath, and correlation behavior of the propagation. Using a phase matrix function increases the number of antenna elements that can be utilized in a massive MIMO array emulation while keeping the required number of fading channels within the radio channel emulator at a reduced number, thus forming a cost effective, yet realistic test system for massive MIMO testing.

Abstract: The disclosed system for testing a massive MIMO beamforming antenna array of arbitrary size includes an anechoic chamber, and a mount for a MIMO array antenna positioned in the chamber, wherein the array has at least 8×4 antenna elements that are individually activated to steer transmissions from the array. The system includes dual element antenna probes positionable in the anechoic chamber, with feeds coupling one or more UE sources to the antenna probes; and the UE sources generate RF in OTA communication with the array, emulating multiple UE devices. Additionally the system includes base station electronics coupled to the array, and a test controller coupled to the base station electronics. The test controller signals the UE sources OTA via the array to invoke a connection to the UE sources and measure OTA channel performance between the array and the multiple UE devices emulated, the performance including at least throughput.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to systems and methods for emulating a massive MIMO beamforming antenna array of arbitrary size—a channel model between a transmitter and a receiver, with one or more signal paths having respective amplitudes, angles of arrival, angle spreads, and delays. The disclosed technology includes defining a complete channel model H, calculating the correlation matrix for the channel, grouping the base antenna elements of the antenna array by combinations of signal and polarization, and calculating observed beamforming power of each group of the base elements, by applying a cross-correlation matrix to determine observed power signals and delay of each signal at each remote antenna element of the user equipment. Emulation includes supplying cross-correlated signals to remote antenna elements of user equipment during a RF test of the user equipment. Disclosed technology includes a channel emulator that generates output streams for testing user equipment for multiple users.

Abstract: The disclosed system for testing a massive MIMO beamforming antenna array of arbitrary size includes an anechoic chamber, and a mount for a MIMO array antenna positioned in the chamber, wherein the array has at least 8×4 antenna elements that are individually activated to steer transmissions from the array. The system includes dual element antenna probes positionable in the anechoic chamber, with feeds coupling one or more UE sources to the antenna probes; and the UE sources generate RF in OTA communication with the array, emulating multiple UE devices. Additionally the system includes base station electronics coupled to the array, and a test controller coupled to the base station electronics. The test controller signals the UE sources OTA via the array to invoke a connection to the UE sources and measure OTA channel performance between the array and the multiple UE devices emulated, the performance including at least throughput.

Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to systems and methods for testing adaptive antennas via a multi-probe anechoic chamber, which includes the emulation of real world conditions of a radio frequency (RF) signal reaching a device-under-test (DUT). The technology disclosed can be applied to test and evaluate a range of changed conditions. In one case, beamforming scenarios use separate spatial desired and interference signals, and the results can be compared to uniform interference. Based on performance for a segment of a test profile, the segment can be modified or expanded: shortened, repeated, or repeated with a modification—to fully evaluate the aspect being tested. Also, a dynamic profile that is utilized to evaluate a first device can be saved and repeated as a fixed profile for further testing of a first or second device.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to systems and methods for emulating a massive MIMO beamforming antenna array of arbitrary size—a channel model between a transmitter and a receiver, with one or more signal paths having respective amplitudes, angles of arrival, angle spreads, and delays. The disclosed technology includes defining a complete channel model H, calculating the correlation matrix for the channel, grouping the base antenna elements of the antenna array by combinations of signal and polarization, and calculating observed beamforming power of each group of the base elements, by applying a cross-correlation matrix to determine observed power signals and delay of each signal at each remote antenna element of the user equipment. Emulation includes supplying cross-correlated signals to remote antenna elements of user equipment during a RF test of the user equipment. Disclosed technology includes a channel emulator that generates output streams for testing user equipment for multiple users.

Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to systems and methods for testing adaptive antennas via a multi-probe anechoic chamber, which includes the emulation of real world conditions of a radio frequency (RF) signal reaching a device-under-test (DUT). The technology disclosed can be applied to test and evaluate a range of changed conditions. In one case, beamforming scenarios use separate spatial desired and interference signals, and the results can be compared to uniform interference. Based on performance for a segment of a test profile, the segment can be modified or expanded: shortened, repeated, or repeated with a modification—to fully evaluate the aspect being tested. Also, a dynamic profile that is utilized to evaluate a first device can be saved and repeated as a fixed profile for further testing of a first or second device.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating a test platform to establish a phase relationship between copies of a signal at a measurement location within the test platform. Phase relationships of the copies of the signal traversing signal paths and ending at the measurement location are manipulated. Vector signal addition from the copies of the signal is analyzed as the phase relationships are manipulated to find a phase offset adjustment that establishes a particular phase relationship between the signal paths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to testing a mobile device in a lab by providing test signals to the mobile device via a cabled connection which bypasses the actual physical antennas in the mobile device. The test signals emulate a wireless channel and incorporate representative and/or actual measured characteristics of the performance of the antennas in the mobile device. As such, the performance mobile device can be accurately measured without requiring placement in an anechoic chamber, which enables efficient testing over a large set of configurations and underlying conditions.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating a test platform to establish a phase relationship between copies of a signal at a measurement location within the test platform. Phase relationships of the copies of the signal traversing signal paths and ending at the measurement location are manipulated. Vector signal addition from the copies of the signal is analyzed as the phase relationships are manipulated to find a phase offset adjustment that establishes a particular phase relationship between the signal paths.

Abstract: A method of emulating real world conditions of a radio frequency (RF) signal reaching a device-under-test (DUT) includes exposing the DUT to a cone of RF signal angles of arrival transmitting coordinated RF signals from an antenna array. The antenna array has at least one antenna located at a center of the antenna array and at least three antennas located at substantially equal distance from the center and from each other. Such configuration of the antennas in the antenna array defines a base of the cone to have a range of angles of 20° to 70°. The cone of RF signal angles of arrival and the DUT may be enclosed in a chamber such as an anechoic chamber. The method sets an azimuth angle and/or an elevation angle of the DUT with respect to the transmitted RF signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to techniques for OTA testing suitable for producing a test signal to emulate a wireless channel while using a limited number of transmit elements. The techniques described herein enable the number of transmit antennas used to emulate a given signal path in an emulated wireless channel to be less than the number of sub-paths used to characterize the angle spread of the given signal path. As a result, a test setup is provided having a relatively small number of transmit antennas which also accurately maintaining the desirable characteristics of the emulated wireless channel.