CATR Selects Spirent for Over the Air Testing of Mobile Devices

China Academy of Telecommunication Research (CATR) a leading Chinese test laboratory, has selected Spirent Communications’ solutions for over the air (OTA) testing of CDMA, UMTS and LTE mobile devices. To ensure the performance of Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna schemes used in high-speed mobile technologies such as LTE, and of integrated GPS/A-GPS positioning functionality in mobile devices, testing needs to take into account the mobile device antenna. However, the traditional conducted approach used in lab-based certification testing bypasses the device antenna and testing devices on live networks does not yield repeatable results. This has led to the widespread adoption and ongoing standardization of OTA testing techniques.

CATR is an active participant in development of standards for OTA testing of MIMO antenna schemes in mobile devices, both locally and globally. Although MIMO antenna techniques are a key factor in achieving the high data rates promised by next-generation wireless technologies such as LTE and LTE-Advanced, they impose significant challenges on the design and development of devices, greatly complicating the associated RF testing.

CATR is using Spirent’s SR5500 and VR5 wireless channel emulators, in conjunction with an anechoic chamber, to investigate and validate approaches to MIMO OTA testing. The Spirent SR5500 and VR5 are ideally suited to this type of investigative work, since their unique real-time engine enables CATR to immediately see the impact of changes made to the RF environment on MIMO device performance.

"As a leader in wireless channel emulation, Spirent has been working with the major chamber manufacturers and making key contributions to the development of methodologies and standards for MIMO OTA testing,” said Randy Oltman, director of product management at Spirent’s Wireless business. "We are delighted to be working closely with CATR, another leader in the field, to advance the testing of this important technology.”

CATR is also in the forefront of testing the GPS/A-GPS positioning capability in CDMA and UMTS mobile devices over the air. The lab makes use of Spirent’s C2K-ATS and 8100 OTA location technology test systems to ensure devices meet minimum performance requirements, including those from the CTIA. CATR was one of the first CTIA Authorized Test Labs (CATLs) in Asia. CATR is also active in adapting standardized GPS/A-GPS test plans and methodologies to the specific needs of the Chinese mobile market. As the global leader in GPS/A-GPS OTA testing, Spirent’s solutions enable CATR to easily characterize the impact of antenna placement, form factor, interference and more in an anechoic chamber under real-world conditions.

"We are glad to cooperate with Spirent to expand our capability, especially in the MIMO and GPS area,” said Xiao Li, director of the antenna lab of CATR. "With the testing demand of LTE/MIMO increasing rapidly, we believe this new system can help our customers to enhance the quality of their products.”

For more information on Spirent’s GPS/A-GPS OTA test solutions, please visit http://www.spirent.com/Devices-and-Equipment/Over_the_air.aspx.

For more information on Spirent’s MIMO OTA test solutions visit http://www.spirent.com/Devices-and-Equipment/MOTA.aspx.

About CATR

China Academy of Telecommunication Research (CATR), established in the mid-1950s, has since its founding undertaken a great deal of major research for the country and the industry. It has thus accumulated rich experience in communications policies, standards for telecommunication technologies, planning of communications development, and product testing and certification, making great contributions to the development of communications industry in China. CATR is a leading high-tech test center of China. It provides services on instrument metrology, product testing, and compliance assessment. CATR is authorized to test various telecommunication products for certificates of NAL, CCC, CE, FCC, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, USB, Bluetooth, CTIA, ARTC, GCF and PTCRB. It also plays an important role among standardization contributing many standards in the fields of RF, Protocol, EMC, Safety, EMF, Reliability and Metrology, etc. For more information visit http://www.catr.cn/english/

About Spirent Communications plc

Spirent Communications plc. (LSE: SPT), a global leader in test & measurement, offers an extensive portfolio of solutions to test data centers, cloud computing environments, high speed Ethernet networks and services, 3G/4G wireless networks and devices, network security, and global navigation satellite systems. For more information visit http://www.spirent.com/about-us/News_Room/About_Spirent_Communications_plc.aspx