Keysight Technologies, Inc.
Systems and methods for test and calibration of MIMO antenna arrays including a digital interface

Abstract:

A testing system includes a test chamber including an array of spaced-apart probe antennas and a positioner configured to support a device under test (DUT) having an array of digital antenna elements, a radio frequency (RF) signal generator and analyzer configured to send and receive RF test signals to/from the spaced-apart probe antennas, and an RF switch component configured to selectively couple the RF signal generator and analyzer to the array of spaced-apart probe antennas within the test chamber. A digital test instrument includes at least one digital signal generator and analyzer configured to generate digital test signals to the digital antenna elements of the DUT in a transmitter test mode, and to analyze received digital test signals from the digital antenna elements of the DUT in a receiver test mode, a programmable hardware device configured to implement a custom digital fiber interface protocol for the generated and received digital test signals, and a digital fiber interface configured to couple the programmable hardware device to the array of digital antenna elements of the DUT and transceive the digital test signals to/from the array of digital antenna elements of the DUT. A synchronization module is configured to synchronize the RF signal generator and analyzer, and the digital test instrument. A test controller is configured to control operation of the positioner, the RF signal generator and analyzer, the RF switch component and the digital test instrument during testing of the DUT.