Rohde & Schwarz has developed a setup that enables 3D RF measurements of antenna characteristics in a temperature range from –20°C to +85°C. Integrating the R&S ATS-TEMPclimate option into an R&S ATS1000 antenna test system makes it possible for the first time ever to combine testing in an RF OTA chamber and climatic chamber testing into a single procedure, saving engineers measurement time.

Thermal effects diagnostics on devices under test (DUT) are crucial when analyzing the effect of temperature on chipset and UE performance since device heating or cooling can affect the RF components and consequently the radiation pattern of the antennas. The combination of the R&S ATS1000 and R&S ATS-TEMP makes it possible–for the first time ever in a single testing process–to diagnose temperature effects in addition to the regular over-the-air (OTA) tests such as total radiated power (TRP), gain, efficiency and radiation diagram. The unique single testing process enabled by R&S ATS-TEMP will be highly useful for those working with 5G related solutions, e.g. chipset and mobile device manufacturers as well as antenna designers. R&S ATS-TEMP is one of the new, comprehensive OTA test solutions from Rohde & Schwarz.

Used inside the R&S ATS1000, R&S ATS-TEMP allows fast and accurate 3D thermal measurements in extreme temperatures with excellent repeatability and angular resolution. R&S ATS-TEMP consists of a semisphere-shaped dome made of Rohacell^®, with a permittivity close to that of air. The device has minimal influence on DUT radiation and an influence amplitude of < 0.2 dB at 28 GHz. Since the test environment permits significant variations in temperature, it also has several features designed to prevent condensation.

In order to generate the heated or cooled airflow, a third-party climate control device (Temptronic ThermoStream^®) should be supplied in line with customer requirements.

Rohde & Schwarz is presenting the new R&S ATS-TEMP climate option at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona from February 25 to 28, 2019. It is now available and can be ordered already integrated into an R&S ATS1000 antenna test system. Existing R&S ATS1000 systems can be retrofitted.