New Wireless Technologies and OTA Measurements

OTA measurements determine the over-the-air performance of mobile terminals such as mobile phones or PDAs. The resulting values for total radiated power (TRP) or total isotropic sensitivity (TIS) are figures of merit for qualifying a mobile terminal for good performance in a network. With the new standards emerging now, the situation is becoming more complex. Instead of a single antenna whose 3D performance is evaluated in an OTA performance measurement, several antennas will be in use. These multiple- input, multiple-output (MIMO) systems have an impact on the OTA measurements. Since the primary goal for OTA measurements is the prediction of the terminal´s performance in the network, the definition of the appropriate measures for specifying this performance in a MIMO environment has to be made. A discussion on different approaches for this objective is held. The required hardware components will be addressed, and the necessary test methods are going to be described. Besides the technical aspects of OTA measurements, also the status of discussion in standardisation groups is presented.