Realistic Emulation of GNSS Testing Scenarios using 3D Wave Field Synthesis in an OTA Testbed

Abstract

While traditional testing methods as conducted and open field tests have their limitations in terms of realism and repeatability of the scenario’s conditions, Over-the-Air (OTA) testing enhances the way that GNSS and mobile communications systems with integrated antennas are tested, since it provides the freedom to accurately emulate an impinging wave with arbitrary polarization and direction radiated from any source/reflection such as GNSS satellites and terrestrial base stations. Therefore, real world scenarios can be precisely reproduced with total control of the environment’s conditions. In this context, this paper describes the process to implement full polarimetric 3D Wave Field Synthesis (WFS) in an OTA testbed, from the principle to characterize the electromagnetic (EM) field in three dimensions to the system calibration and correspondent verification measurements inside the anechoic chamber, which will provide a deeper insight on the quality and reliability of the EM field for testing purposes.