World-First 5G Vehicle OTA RF Test System

Realizing autonomous driving requires simultaneous communications with the surrounding environment, including other vehicles, road infrastructure, networks, etc. In particular, introduction of 5G supporting large-capacity, low-latency, massive connections are key technology to transferring the large data volumes generated by various sensors, such as vehicle cameras, as well as for 3D high-definition mapping data. Consequently, car manufactures, and Telematics Unit suppliers are pushing forward with development of 5G communications products.

The developed 5G communications products are installed in vehicles as the “connected car”. However, before release, the connected vehicle communications performance must be tested and verified in an OTA environment simulating the actual environment as possible.

Now, Anritsu and Microwave Vision Group (MVG) have partnered to deliver the MT8000A and OTA system to Toyota as the world’s first 5G vehicle OTA RF test system.

The all-in-one Radio Communication Test Station MT8000A is a 5G base-station simulator for 5G RF^*3 and protocol measurements as well as application tests. It supports high-order 4x4 MIMO^*4 and carrier aggregation^*5 (8CA) technologies for fast, large-capacity communications. As well as focusing on smartphone testing, it covers a wide application range, including 5G communications function tests and evaluations of antennas and high-frequency parts.

To characterize an antenna, it is necessary to measure its radiation patterns to determine how well, and in which direction, it radiates. Toquickly obtain reliable 3D radiation patterns, antenna performance tests are moving towards Over-The-Air (OTA) test solutions to obtain fast and reliable measurements at the system level. For OTA measurements, the tests are performed through a radio communication tester and are conducted using a near-field measurement method in an anechoic chamber to block external electromagnetic fields and to simulate realistic and complex RF scenarios. Addressing the complexity of measuring highly connected vehicles, MVG offers OTA measurement solutions specifically designed for the complete verification of automotive wireless performance. Thanks to a high precision positioning system (controller and turntable) continuous on-the-fly measurements can be performed. This allows for quick and accurate measurement of directivity, gain and efficiency.

“To deliver a full-vehicle OTA test solution that meets the needs of current and future vehicle testing, we needed to integrate a radio communication test system supporting 5G frequencies. We believe that MVG OTA test environment combined with the Anritsu MT8000A is the right combination to meet the test needs of tomorrow's connected vehicles.” - Per Iversen - MVG Chief Technology Officer

Source: Anritsu media announcement