For many years, the wireless device sector has demanded an improved software solution for over-the-air testing, data management and analysis. To meet these demands MVG has developed its latest software innovation – MVG WaveStudioTM– to deliver faster and more flexible measurements for wireless devices.
Using MVG WaveStudioTM
MVG WaveStudioTM has many automated features, making it user, time and cost friendly. Through its automated test method, the software suite takes full control of all equipment in the system once a testing session is underway. This allows engineers to program tests to run in batches, or repeat tests without any intervention. Figure 1 shows a test setup interface with the connection established.
Figure 1 The test setup interface-call is established.
MVG WaveStudioTM is provided as a two part package: a licensed version of the software and a free pre-test/post-test module. Flexibility is derived from the free module, with which users can set up batches of tests in advance of a measurement and save to execute later, as well as review measurement results using any PC.
To understand how device performance changes as hardware/software modifications are made or to understand how performance varies across different devices, re-testing is also an important step in the process. With MVG WaveStudioTM, the measurement results are automatically stored and easily recalled with the plots viewable in parallel windows for immediate comparisons. Figure 2 shows results in parallel plots.
To complete a measurement, the full licensed version of MVG WaveStudioTM is required. This version allows for the comprehensive data acquisition of automated OTA measurements. It also comprises post processing capabilities and report generation that meets the requirements of standards bodies such as CTIA (The Wireless Association). Figure 3 shows the multi-probe system interface.
Testing Compliance
Figure 2 Results in parallel plots.
To ensure that high quality standards are maintained across the industry, the CTIA has established the CTIA Test Plan enforcing specific equipment configurations, laboratory techniques, test methodologies and evaluation criteria for testing devices under development. If the device meets all criteria, certification follows. MVG WaveStudioTM meets the software requirements of the CTIA Test Plan.
Reduced Testing Time
The tests ensure that any interference from cellular communication across the band does not degrade the performance of the wireless device. With MVG WaveStudioTM, a comprehensive set of measurements can be performed including the characterization of antenna radiation patterns in transmit mode: total radiated power (TRP), power sweep, conducted power and in receive mode: total isotropic sensitivity (TIS), receive signal strength (RSS) pattern, RSS linearization, intermediate channel sensitivity (ICS), sensitivity sweep and conducted power. Figure 4 illustrates a left hand polarization test.
Figure 3 The multi-probe system interface.
Several factors can affect both TIS and TRP. It’s important that these factors are understood and addressed during the design stage of any wireless device. It’s necessary to know which part of a cellular phone design affects TIS and TRP.
Effective isotropic radiated power and effective isotropic sensitivity (EIRP and EIS) measurements reveal antenna patterns with lobes of high antenna gain and nulls, affecting the TRP and TIS values respectively.
The estimated time for TRP measurements (one channel with sampling every 15º) previously took at least 3 minutes. With MVG WaveStudioTM, this time is dramatically reduced, taking as little as 1 minute for GSM/GPRS/EDGE for Tx average power sensitivity. For TIS (three channels with sampling every 30°), measurement time is reduced to as little as 20 minutes from RSSI pattern algorithms.
Features and Capabilities
In addition to MVG WaveStudio’s capability to provide fully automated OTA measurements of wireless devices, it also gives users: the ability to prepare test batches in advance, batch cloning capabilities, offset measurement capabilities, the possibility to view results from any PC, multiple test results in parallel, measurements which comply to the CTIA OTA test plan and an intuitive user interface.
Figure 4 A left-hand polarization test.
Supported Protocols
MVG WaveStudio supports many protocols including LTE TDD/FDD, LTE-CA (available soon), GSM, GPRS, EDGE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 802.15.1.2 (available soon), CDMA2000, CDMA 1xRTT, CDMA 1xEVDO, WCDMA, HSDPA, HSPA, HSPA+, TD-SCDMA (available soon) and TD-HSDPA.
With MVG multi-probe technology and MVG WaveStudioTM OTA automation software, approved and certifiable by CTIA, tests can be performed quickly and effectively, optimizing test lab operations, increasing test throughput and ultimately gaining overall time to market of mobile devices.
Microwave Vision Group
Paris, France
www.satimo.com/content/products/ota-measurement-suite
See MVG at IMS Booth 937